The world will no longer be invincible, and our dreams will seem close to reality with the power of education. In the heart of New Jersey, a foundation is built of one of the most esteemed institutions in Washington, New Jersey, the Warren County Community College. The institution has the halo of wisdom and education around it, promising the students a transformative education experience from various paths of life.
The institution is committed to excellence in academics, provides an exciting campus life, and assures powerful and loyal social partnerships. With all these plus points and a lot of opportunities for its pupils to prosper and gain a strong footing in real life, WCCC has gained a very positive reputation.
1. Basic Details about Warren County Community College
1.1. History of Warren County Community College:
Warren County Community College was established in 1981 and has a rich history worth over four decades. The institution has grown since then to be one of the well-reputed and prominent institutions of contemporary times. The college opened its doors for the first time in July 1981.
Initially, when the college was founded, it was operated from rented spaces in and around Washington Township, for example, local high schools. In simple terms, the whole setup was temporary. Gradually, when the college’s registration for courses grew in numbers and the institution came to be known among the public, it was that idea of a permanent campus was introduced. It was in 1987 that the college received a degree-granting facility from the New Jersey State Board of Higher Education.
In 1988, WCCC witnessed its first graduating class. In 1996, the college moved to its present location at Route 57 in Washington, NJ. The campus had further additions, which were completed by 2008. The library of the college was also expanded and refurnished in 2011. The same year saw the innovation of a satellite center in Phillipsburg, at the college’s Phillipsburg Education Center.
1.2. Mission:
The college is dedicated to establishing a strong path for education by building a ”community of learners.” They promise to do so by assuring better and more accessible education opportunities that are structured in a way to meet “educational goals and aspirations.”
1.3. Vision:
The institution visualizes “provide lifelong opportunities,” which help an individual’s prosperity, tighten his loyalty to the community, and showcase newness and creativity.
The institution is ardently devoted to providing its students with the best experience and ensuring that the experience enhances them and their perspective so that they can come up with something fresh and extraordinary.
2. Academics of Warren County Community College
WCCC provides 33 associate degree courses and 10 certificate courses that guide an individual through life and navigate various career opportunities. They serve over 2300 full-time and part-time students every year. A separate department known as the Corporate and Continuing Education section offers several careers, youth, personal development, and career training programs that see the registration of over 4k candidates yearly into such courses.
The college offers associate degree courses in Business Management, Computer Science and graphics, Creative Writing, Criminal Justice Studies, Emergency Services, Liberal Arts, medicine, Professional Studies, Professional Studies-Unmanned Systems, and Science. The degree designations under the associate degrees will be Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Applied Science, and Associate of Science.
2.1. Courses:
2.1.1. Business Management:
Under this program, the courses available are:
- Accounting Management: The degree designation under the Accounting Management option is Associate in Applied Sciences (A.A.S), which is structured to be a 2-year program that ensures that the students gain knowledge in both accounting and management and prepares them for jobs under this category.
- Business Administration: The degree designation under the Business Administration option is Associate in Sciences. This program is designed for students who are preparing to transfer into a 4-year college or university to navigate them into several business careers, including accounting, finance, marketing, business administration, and management.
- Business Management: The degree designation under this program is Associate in Applied Sciences, and it is a 2-year program to prepare students for management jobs. In addition, there is a certificate program for Business Management that prepares the enrollers for managerial positions in a variety of job settings.
- Computer Information Services: The degree designation under this program is Associate in Applied Science in Business Management. It is a two-year program that prepares students for jobs that require great management skills, as well as those that require advanced knowledge in Computer Services.
- Computer Information Systems: This is a certificate course. People enrolling themselves in this course and qualifying for it can get an entry-level position in organizations with programming. This certificate will qualify for the Associate in Sciences in Business Management.
- Small Business Management: The degree designation under this program is Associate in Applied Science in Business Management, which is a 2-year program and prepares students for a small business management career.
- Small Business Management: This is a certificate course and is structured in a way to prepare the students for entry-level positions in businesses. The credits under this program will qualify under Associate in Applied Sciences in Business Management.
2.1.2. Computer, Science & Graphics:
- Computer and Information Sciences: The degree designation under this program is Associate in Applied Science. It is a two-year course and will prepare the pupils for jobs which involve complicated computer programming and other techniques.
- Graphic Design: The degree designation under this course is Associate in Applied Science. It will prepare students for the Graphic Design Program. This course will work as a foundational course.
2.1.3. Creative Writing:
- Creative Writing: The degree designation under this program is Associate in Fine Arts. It is a two-year course and assists the students in cultivating the habit of reading and writing and carving out careers as talented writers in the field.
2.1.4. Criminal Justice Studies:
- Criminal Justice: The degree designation under this program is Associate in Sciences. The main goal of this program is to prepare students who are seeking employment in the fields of law enforcement, security, and dealings with criminal justice and laws.
- Criminal Justice- Corrections: is a certificate program for individuals who showcase an interest in prison, jail security, and its management.
- Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement: is a certificate course providing students with in-depth training on the policies and roles of law enforcement.
2.1.5. Emergency Services:
- Emergency Services: The degree designation under this program is Associate in Application Sciences. This degree is programmed to train aspiring firefighters and emergency services providers who showcase an interest in the field and wish to pursue this line of career.
2.1.6. Liberal Arts:
The degree designation under this course is Associate in Arts for all options, which includes Communications, Elementary and Secondary Education, English, Fine Arts, History, Liberal Arts, Pre-Law, and Social Sciences. Communication has a certificate course available, too, which can guarantee employment in several settings. The courses under this program are mostly for two years or prepare the students for a four-year course for the baccalaureate.
2.1.7. Medical Sciences:
The degree designation under these courses is Associate in Applied Sciences for Medical Assisting and Associate in Sciences for Nurse Education.
2.1.8. Professional Studies:
The degree designation under this course is Associate in Sciences for some and Associate in Applied Sciences for others. The options under this course are Addiction Counseling (+ a certificate course), Occupational Therapy Assistant (Joint program with Rutgers University), Physical Therapy Assistant (Joint program with Union Community College), Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Treatment (Joint program with Rutgers University), and Technical Studies.
2.1.9. Professional Studies – Unmanned Systems:
The degree destination under this course is Associate in Applied Sciences. This course will guide the students who want to pursue careers as fast as possible.
2.1.10. Sciences:
The degree designation under this course is Associate in Sciences. The options under this program are Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, and Science.
2.2. Career/Continuing Education:
The college has a separate division known as Continuing Education which specializes in providing short-term career training opportunities for students who wish to enter the job field as soon as they can manage. This is a non-credit program and showcases the college’s spirit of wanting to provide several lifelong opportunities for the benefit of the students and their futures.
Continuing Education provides occupational and job training programs in Fiber Optics, Grooming Assistant, real-state pre-licensing, Veterinary Assistant, etc.
In addition, WCCC also has courses for English as a second language program, which will help non-native speakers to adapt to it and, at the same time, prepare them for their job requirements,
2.3. Distance Learning:
WCCC makes provisions for students who are unable to attend college on campus due to academic and personal engagements. For the students of this section, they have made available several online courses. The primary source of instruction, in this case, will be the Internet, alongside the materials of study that will be sent to the students through emails, and also schedule on-campus meetings whenever required or as seen necessary by the instructors.
2.4. Dual Enrolment Program:
The dual enrollment program allows students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously if they can complete the course. It is a partnership between five Warren County High schools and the Community college. The credits earned under this program are also transferable, as per the guidelines of the college.
3. Admissions:
One can put their applications for admission into WCCC through their online portal. To be admitted and apply for this college, one needs to produce a report for immunization against several diseases, including measles, mumps, etc., as per the guidelines of the State of New Jersey.
3.1. Fees:
The institution makes the availability of learning materials from a site known as Cenegage, and to access the materials, a subscription fee of $140 must be paid by the pupils. In addition, the college has different fees for residents, non-residents, lab students, and practical students. A much clearer listing is available at their portal.
3.2. Payment:
For the payment of fees, WCCC has several methods through which a student can ensure their payments.
Firstly, they have an online payment portal, and the students can make a payment plan for smooth transactions.
Secondly, a hands-on payment facility is also available, as students can visit the office and make payments.
Lastly, they have financial and scholarship aid for students who cannot afford tuition.
4. Services:
4.1. Financial Aid:
WCCC takes part in several funds to ensure that the students are not compromised and can continue their education hassle-free. Therefore, they have several financial support programs intact for the students.
There are financial aids under the federal government, such as,
- Federal PELL Grant,
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, also known as the (FSEOG),
- Federal work-study scholarship,
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
In addition, the New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant, The New Jersey STARS Program, the Educational Opportunity Fund Program, the Garden State Scholarship, and the Community College Opportunity Grant are also available.
WCCC’s Foundation has also put in place grants and scholarships to ensure a hassle-free education for the students. Under this, the students are offered special scholarships every semester based on their needs or merits. There is an application process that the students have to go through to apply for it. For additional information, one can consult the website of the college.
5. Locations:
The main campus of Warren County Community College is located at 475 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882.
The Phillipsburg Education Center, which was established in 1992, is located at 445 Marshall Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865.
6. Campus Life:
6.1. Student Clubs:
Alongside excellent systems of education, WCCC also has provisions to engage the students in extracurriculars so that they can excel in other fields of life as well.
WCCC has a Student Government Association, which is the student governing body of the college.
The college has an honor society known as Phi Theta Kappa. It is the only officially recognized honor society that has served students in two-year programs.
In addition, the college has a Future Educators Club and a Student Nursing Organisation where the students can take part as per their interests.
6.2. Library:
WCCC has a well-equipped library to give the students a good learning experience and make sure that they are not lacking in any manner. The library catalogs and databases can also be handled through the website of the college.
6.3. Security on Campus:
WCCC has security officers stationed at different locations on the campus and monitoring the incidents taking place at the campus. Additionally, the management has made the availability of telephones in every classroom with a list of the important security phone numbers in cases of emergency.
Ending Thoughts
Warren County Community College stands as a highly reputable college in the state of New Jersey that has carried on its legacy of leaving behind a strong and positive influence on its students and guiding them toward the path that is best for them.
By committing themselves to academic brilliance, the prosperity of the students, and ensuring that they are receiving all the facilities designed for them, WCCC establishes itself as a strong factor for the success and benefit of the residents and youth of Washington Township.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
