Mohave Community College is a type of junior college with several campuses in Arizona that offers degree programs designed for students to finish in two years. Though the state wanted to build a new community college, it allowed locals to vote on whether they wanted that school. When the vote passed in 1970s, plans began almost right away. Unlike other similar colleges that only opened a single branch, MCC opened three branches at the same time. Colleges opened in Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City and Kingman. A newer campus later opened in Colorado City. The Arizona State System of Community Colleges added this school system to its own system a few years later.
The first programs that MCC offered were solely training programs and occupational programs similar to those offered by vocational schools. Many courses were only available during evening hours, which appealed to working students. The college's nursing program started in 1981 and partnered with a local hospital system to provide students with the clinical experience that they needed. MCC added other programs over the years to meet the needs of its growing student base, including those in business, culinary arts, legal studies and education. While students can earn a degree that helps them enter the workforce, they can also transfer to a university and finish a bachelor's degree. MCC is one of the fastest growing community colleges in the country and has more than 1,700 full-time students taking classes across all its campuses.
MCC Accreditation Details
MCC received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission in 1981 and takes steps to renew this accreditation at least once every decade. It most recently received a renewal in 2012 that is valid through 2022. The North Central Association branch of the Higher Learning Commission is responsible for keeping an eye on its accreditation.
MCC Application Requirements
As MCC is a community college, it offers courses for all types of students. The only requirements for becoming a student are a high school diploma or proof that the student applying has his or her GED. MCC also asks about the legal status of the student applying. You must be an American citizen or be a legal immigrant and able to take college classes in the United States.
The online application that the college offers features multiple sections that ask you questions about what you want to study, which campus you want to attend, where you went to high school, whether you completed high school, your citizenship status and your current address. All campuses use the same application, but the college will submit your finished application to the campus you selected. The address you list on the application will determine which type of tuition rate you qualify for when you start classes. If you are a transfer student or took college classes in high school, you'll need to submit a transcript from that college. MCC will evaluate the transcript and let you know if any credits will transfer over.
You will also need to take placement tests that determine which reading, math and writing classes you will need to take and whether you can skip some of the lower level courses. The college lets you use your ACT or SAT scores in lieu of the placement tests, but your scores cannot be older than two years old. MCC also asks that you go through academic advising to ensure that you understand what steps are necessary for earning your degree.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Community colleges are generally more affordable than private and full colleges. MCC charges a tuition rate of just $81 per credit hour for Arizona residents and a rate of around $283 per credit hour for nonresidents. The college is also part of the Western Undergrad Exchange Program that offers discounts for students living in western states like California, Nevada and New Mexico. Students living in those states pay around $121 per credit hour. This program does not apply to its allied health programs. Students taking nursing classes or enrolling in similar programs will need to pay the full nonresident tuition rate. You'll also need to cover your own expenses and supplies.
The college's work study program is open to students who need help paying for school. This program lets you apply for jobs available through the school and work during the semester. To qualify for this program, you must take six credits each semester and use the online system to apply for jobs. The college also offers several scholarships that are open to students who apply before the deadline, which is usually around the beginning of April. You can also file the FAFSA and see if you qualify for any other type of aid. Many students take out loans and use grants to pay for their schooling. The college will disperse these funds near the beginning of the semester.
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Psychology and Counseling
Though MCC is a community college, it offers two programs that will interest psychology and counseling students. One is the Social and Behavioral Science, AA degree program. You'll take up to 39 credits of general education courses that include classes on math, humanities and science as well as an introduction to psychology course. The better you do in this course, the better you will do in the program. Though the college offers 11 classes in this discipline, you only need to take five of those courses. You can take social psychology, child growth and development, human sexuality, abnormal psychology, marriage and family and others that will help you succeed in a university program or while working in the field. Students in this program must take at least 12 electives too.
If you want to work with those addicted to various substances, the Mohave Community College AA in Substance Abuse Counseling program might be the best option for you. This program teaches you how to work with addicts and how to teach them the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. You'll take at least 62 credits that include both general education courses and required counseling classes. Those courses include ethics in substance abuse treatment, models of treatment, clinical assessment and service coordination. Mohave Community College designed this program for those who want to work as licensed substance abuse counselors in rehab and treatment centers.