Adult Education

Adult Education is a program sponsored jointly by the Nebraska State Department of Education and MCC. This program is for adults 19 years of age or older with less than a ninth-grade level of attainment; however, people between the ages of 16 and 19 who are not enrolled in a regular high school program may enroll with special permission from the Nebraska State Department of Education. Students are offered the opportunity to develop basic skills in reading, writing, and math. Upon completion of this course of study, students are ready to prepare for the General Educational Development examination.

Apprenticeships

MCC offers a four-year apprenticeship training program in electrical and plumbing trades. The program is offered at the Industrial Training Center located at the South Omaha Campus. The electrical curriculum is approved by the State of Nebraska Electrical Board, and the plumbing curriculum is approved by the city of Omaha Plumbing Board. All instruction is during the evening.

Students who have successfully completed a College-approved apprenticeship program through one of the local unions or an approved in-house company apprenticeship program may receive up to 56 credits toward an associate degree. For more information about this program, contact the apprenticeship coordinator at 402-738-4034.

Bridge To Success

Bridge to Success is an initiative conceived by the African American Achievement Council in collaboration with Omaha Public Schools and area colleges and universities. The program provides high school students with an opportunity to have an on-campus experience while in high school. Students enroll in courses designed to promote student success by enhancing study skills and exposing them to college curriculum and resources. The Bridge to Success program provides a seamless transition for students from high school into college as well as prepares them to meet the academic expectations of colleges and universities. Classes are offered during MCC's Winter and Spring quarters. Additionally, students may take an optional course during the Summer quarter. For more information, visit www.mccneb.edu/learningcommunities/bridgetosuccess.asp.

Business & Training Services (BTS)

BTS, in partnership with College academic areas, provides career skills training for businesses and nonprofit organizations. Collaborative partnerships are at the heart of the BTS division, which delivers real-world career training to not only the employed but also to the unemployed and underemployed in MCC's community. BTS also works with area businesses to build and facilitate affordable, customized workshops and training programs on-site at the business location, online, or at MCC locations. Specific training areas include business management, customer service, applied technology, interpersonal skills, IT, Spanish/ESL, and leadership development.

Continuing Education

Continuing Education is focused on providing the community with a variety of noncredit learning opportunities such as using Excel and Word, learning a language, or writing a resume. Continuing Education may also provide the community with personal enrichment activities like learning to dance, trying watercolor painting, repairing a house, or improving mental and physical health.

English-As-A-Second Language Program

MCC's English-as-a-Second Language program offers both credit and noncredit learning options for students who need to develop their English language proficiency. Both credit and noncredit classes are offered to provide a sequenced program of instruction.

Students who enter the ESL program are required to complete assessment testing to determine appropriate placement into the sequence of courses. To register for assessment testing, students should call Student Services.

Additional information concerning noncredit ESL instruction can be obtained through Adult Education at 402-457-2312. Information about credit ESL courses can be obtained from any Student Services or the office of the dean of foundations for academic success and community services at 402-457-2360.

General Education Development

General Education Development is a high school completion program jointly sponsored by the Nebraska State Department of Education and MCC for adults 19 years of age or older; however, people who are at least 16 years of age and not in a regular high school program may enroll with special permission.

This program consists of GED preparation classes and GED testing. Classes are free. These classes prepare adults for the GED examination, which is a nationally standardized test of high school equivalency for adults. There is an application fee for the high school diploma and a testing fee; the high school diploma is issued by the Nebraska Department of Education upon successful completion of the examination.

The GED examination consists of the following five timed tests:

Language arts/writing – 50 questions + 1 essay (2 hours)
Social studies – 50 questions (1 hour, 10 minutes)
Science – 50 questions (1 hour, 20 minutes)
Language arts/reading – 40 questions (1 hour, 5 minutes)
Mathematics – 50 questions, 2 parts (1 hour, 30 minutes)

MCC is authorized by the Nebraska State Department of Education as a testing center.

Independent Study

Independent study allows students to pursue, for credit, subject areas of interest outside of the existing College course structure. In certain instances, independent study may be used to complete the requirements for regularly offered courses.

Students wishing to take an independent study course must have the course approved by the faculty member and appropriate academic dean. Interested students should begin this process by contacting a faculty member teaching in the area of study.

Internship/Co-Op Work Experience

MCC's Internship/Cooperative Education program places students in working and learning environments for on-the-job training in their particular field of study before graduation. Students are placed with business, industry, or social services agencies.

An internship or co-op may be applied to many programs of study. Credit is granted based on the number of internship/co-op hours successfully completed.

Interested students should contact the appropriate academic dean for eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Service-Learning And Cooperative Education

MCC understands how important it is to provide real-world experiences to reinforce what students learn in the classroom.

• Service-Learning – Projects that reinforce academic learning and promote civic engagement. The service-learning program seeks to teach students positive values and personal and communal responsibility; encourages professors to be innovative and creative; and creates positive change in the community. Service-learning brings together the classroom, campus, and community.
• Cooperative education – Internships and practicum experiences for MCC students.

High School Students - Secondary Partnerships

MCC has established numerous partnerships with area high schools for the benefit of students. Dual enrollment courses, career academies, the Gateway to College program, and high school-to-college transfer classes benefit students at the high school level. Other partnership activities enhance career relevance and rigor to prepare students for a wide array of postsecondary options.

Advanced placement through articulation

This partnership effort between secondary and postsecondary institutions is designed to prepare high school graduates to continue their postsecondary education in technically oriented careers and to enhance school-to-career transition. When course curriculum at the high school level matches college course curriculum, an articulation agreement is signed that may allow students advanced placement into higher-level college courses by meeting certain requirements. For more information, visit www.mccneb.edu/secondary or call 402-457-2213.

Bright Start

The Bright Start program is a partnership with Omaha Public Schools to help identified high school students make the transition to higher education. The Bright Start Transition Specialist works with the high school students to identify their career goals and pursue the education they need to succeed, as well as provides career and financial aid information to students and families. For more information, visit www.mccneb.edu/secondary or call 402-457-2213.

Career Academy

MCC's Career Academy program is designed to provide high school juniors and seniors with opportunities to explore various career fields and get a jumpstart on their postsecondary education. MCC Career Academies increase student awareness in various career fields prior to high school graduation so more informed career choices can be made. Through an MCC Career Academy, students gain practical skills for specific career areas, knowledge of safety procedures, job-seeking skills, interpersonal skills for the workplace, and exposure to a college environment. For more information, visit www.mccneb.edu/secondary or call 402-457-2213.

CollegeNOW!

CollegeNOW! is a program specifically designed for Nebraska high school students to jumpstart their college education with half-price tuition. Students may take any college course (for which prerequisites are met) at an MCC location or online and receive MCC credit. For more information, visit www.mccneb.edu/secondary or call 402-457-2213.

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment is a college credit program for high school students. Dual Enrollment allows Nebraska high school students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time. MCC has a written contract with a high school to provide college-level courses to qualified high school students. Most Dual Enrollment courses are offered at the high school during the regular school day. Students register for Dual Enrollment courses with their high school instructor or counselor. Students pay half of the current tuition rate and may transfer their college credit to any college or university that accepts MCC credit. (It is the responsibility of the student to verify if the course transfers to the receiving institution.) For more information, visit www.mccneb.edu/secondary or call 402-457-2213.

Gateway to College

MCC's Gateway to College program is a nationally recognized model of a high school diploma completion program for high school dropouts or students who are behind in credits and on the verge of dropping out of school. Gateway to College provides students who have not been successful in the traditional high school environment with the opportunity for a fresh start at education on a college campus. Students, ages 16–20, who are ready to re-engage in education are given the opportunity to return to school to complete their high school diploma on a college campus while accruing dual credit for coursework. The program is designed for student success beginning with the small size of the first-quarter learning community and a student resource specialist assigned to each student. Students interested in this scholarship program participate in a competitive three-day application and admission process. To learn more about the Gateway to College program, who is eligible, and how to apply, visit www.mccneb.edu/gtc or call 402-457-2746.

High school articulation

High school articulation is a course of study that prepares high school graduates to continue their postsecondary education in technically oriented careers and enhances school-to-career transition. It is a partnership effort between secondary and postsecondary institutions that promotes seamless educational pathways through career pathways and articulation agreements.

Career pathways provide a coherent sequence of courses that blend secondary education with two-year associate degree programs at MCC, which may then provide articulation with four-year institutions. Secondary program areas include agriculture, business, family/consumer science, industrial technology, marketing, and trades/industry. The career pathway serves as a guidance tool for counselors by presenting a four-year plan of study, two of which are spent at the secondary level and two at the postsecondary level.

For more information about high school articulation and how students can take advantage of articulated credit, visit www.mccneb.edu/secondary.