BC3 Summer Courses To Top 180 In 2021

(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College will offer more than 180 courses this summer to BC3 and guest students in face-to-face classes available at BC3 locations in Armstrong, Butler, Jefferson, Lawrence and Mercer counties, or in online or hybrid formats.

The college’s summer sessions enable students to get ahead or to stay on track for graduation, and allow guest students to earn affordable credits that transfer to public, private and online four-year colleges and universities.

Face-to-face classes will be available on BC3’s main campus, and at its additional locations of BC3 @ Armstrong near Ford City, Armstrong County; BC3 @ Brockway in Brockway, Jefferson County; BC3 @ Cranberry in Cranberry Township, Butler County; BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing, New Castle, Lawrence County; and BC3 @ LindenPointe, Hermitage, Mercer County.

Tuition and fees for face-to-face courses this summer at BC3 cost $170 per credit for Butler County residents and $270 per credit for residents of other Pennsylvania counties. Tuition and fees this summer at five regional public four-year universities range from $407.45 to $457.50 per credit for Pennsylvania residents.

Tuition and fees for online or hybrid courses at BC3 this summer cost $195 per credit for Butler County residents and $295 per credit for residents of other Pennsylvania counties. Tuition and fees for online courses this summer at regional public four-year universities range from $374.20 to $457.50 per credit for Pennsylvania residents.

Mara Bowser, of Sarver, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing at a Pennsylvania state-related institution. She earned 15 transferrable credits as one of Butler County Community College’s 330 summer guest students in 2020, and intends to enroll at BC3 again this summer.

“The affordability is just outstanding”

“I actually called BC3 because I thought my bill was too low,” said Mara Bowser, of Sarver, among BC3’s more than 330 summer guest students in 2020. “BC3 is so affordable. … The affordability is just outstanding.”

BC3’s 2020 summer sessions attracted guest students from Colorado, Maryland, Michigan and Ohio, and from 20 Pennsylvania counties. Bowser earned 15 credits at BC3 that transferred into her bachelor’s degree program in marketing at a Pennsylvania state-related institution.

“I am a sophomore this year, but because of BC3, I actually am able to get ahead,” said Bowser, a 2019 graduate of Freeport Area High School. “I am projected to graduate at least a semester early. And if I continue to take more (BC3) classes, which I am literally about to enroll in, I am going to be able to graduate possibly a year early.”

BC3’s summer sessions can also help high school seniors expecting to graduate this spring, said Amy Pignatore, BC3’s dean of admissions and the college’s registrar.

“It gives them a head start,” Pignatore said. “They can begin their freshman year a step ahead, with three, six or nine credits.”

BC3 summer sessions start in May, June

BC3 will hold five sessions this summer.

Session 1, Session 2 and Fast Track 1 begin May 17. Session 3 starts June 14 and Fast Track 2 begins June 28.

Session 1 lasts four weeks; Session 2 lasts 12 weeks and Session 3, eight weeks. Fast Tracks last five weeks and are held fully online.

Session 1 includes face-to-face classes on BC3’s main campus, at BC3 @ Cranberry, BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing and BC3 @ LindenPointe. Among the 18 courses available are introduction to painting, college writing, film analysis, recent U.S. history and principles of sociology.

Session 2 includes online and hybrid courses, and face-to-face classes at all locations except BC3 @ Armstrong. Among the 78 courses available are marketing, environmental biology, chemistry I, introduction to philosophy and business calculus.

Session 3 includes online courses and face-to-face classes at all locations. Among the 68 courses available are business law, financial accounting, speech, introduction to art and ethics.

Ten courses are available in each Fast Track.

Fast Track 1 includes world geography, intermediate algebra and general psychology.

Fast Track 2 includes technical writing II, elementary statistics and human growth and development.

BC3 and guest students can learn more about BC3’s summer sessions at bc3.edu/summer.

Physical distancing measures will be enforced to maintain a safe environment at all BC3 facilities. Additionally, face coverings must be worn in shared spaces inside BC3 facilities and cover the nose and mouth. Face masks are preferred, but face shields are acceptable.