Hudson County Community College (HCCC)

333 Hudson Terrace, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Hudson County Community College, located in Hudson County, New Jersey, was founded in 1974 after several commissions identified a need for a post-secondary institution in the area. The school began offering technical and career programs that were reflective of the needs of the region. In 1994 the school went through a period of reorganization with a focus on increasing student enrollment.

By 2009, the school had one of the largest enrollments in the state, primarily due to the changes in the economy, and had one of its largest graduating classes in 2011 with over a thousand students. The school has an 18-1 student to teacher ratio, allowing for a more personalized education.  Additionally, HCCC is close to New York City, allowing access to a large number of galleries, museums, shows and more.

Academics

Hudson County Community College offers over thirty five programs of study that may result in certificates or associate degrees. Certificate career associate programs prepare students for entry into the workforce immediately after graduation. Certificate programs tend to be shorter than associate programs due to a lack of general education courses.

Academic programs generally fulfill the first two years of a four year education, and agreements in place with several four year institutions in the region allow for transfer upon completion. Saint Peter's College, which is local, allows graduates to transfer and continue their education at a reduced tuition.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Computer Science
• Culinary Arts
• Criminal Justice
• Engineering Science
• History
• Funeral Service
• Nursing

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrollment at Hudson County Community College must provide proof of residency in the state of New Jersey, show proof of immunization, and submit all pertinent transcripts. Once the material is submitted along with a completed application students will be asked to register for courses and pay all outstanding tuition costs.

Financial aid is available in a variety of forms, including grants, loans, scholarships or a complete payment of tuition the New Jersey STARS program. Most forms of financial aid will require students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility and awards. Grants and loans are offered on a need basis, whereas scholarships may be earned through other means.

Clubs and Organizations

Clubs and organizations provide students with a place to meet others that share similar interests. Clubs come in many forms, some focusing on an area of study, others based on interests that extend beyond academics. Clubs and organizations allow for personal growth and socialization, forming bonds with others that may extend beyond the years spent at HCCC. If a club or organization does not exist that would represent a student's interest they are invited to form their own through the schools established process.

Clubs and organizations available at Hudson County Community College include:

• Art Club
• Indian Culture Club
• Film Club
• Psychology Club
• Japanese Culture

Student Activities

HCCC provides students with an ever-changing list of extracurricular activities that are regularly posted through the student activities office. In addition to managing the various clubs and organizations, the office is also responsible for the student government and intramural sports events. Some of the activities revolve around community assistance programs that may be listed on resumes and applications. The school keeps students up to date on the planned events through the schools website and Facebook.

Publications

Hudson County Community College has two publications. The first is known as Tapestry, and is a collection of works through poems, essays, short stories, photography or art. Tapestry is published periodically and is put together by students currently enrolled at HCCC. Reflections is the school's official yearbook, published once a year, and compiles images and memories through photography and writings. Students interested in publishing or journalism are encouraged to join the staff of either publication to garner experience that may be useful in the future.