Westmoreland Community College Online Degree Opportunities
Westmoreland Community College appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Affordable Associate’s in Entrepreneurship Online.
Westmoreland Community College offers students the option to study on the campus in Youngwood or enroll in online classes where study is possible anywhere a student has access to the internet. The college also offers hybrid courses where some work is accomplished online, and other work is handled on campus or in a traditional classroom setting. Methods of online delivery also include web conferencing and live interactive streaming.
For students seeking associate degrees, the college offers options in accounting, business, criminal justice, liberal arts, and office technology. Within the college’s business programs, students can earn degrees in human resource management, finance, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Students can also earn a diploma in office administration.
The college also offers many certificate programs that are available 100 percent online. Topics include accounting, art, business, cybersecurity, criminal justice corrections officer, education, forensic science, and office technology. Like the college’s associate degrees, students have multiple options for specializations with some programs. For the office technology option, students can focus on customer service or office administration.
In most cases, earning an associate degree requires that students earn at least 60 credits. Diplomas require 30 credits and certificates require 15 credits. These amounts sometimes vary, and students will usually need to earn a few additional credits to earn their Associate of Applied Science versus an Associate of Science.
Some of the most popular pursuits for students at Westmoreland Community College include degrees in the areas of health professions, liberal arts, and business. The university’s business programs are one of the most diverse areas of study with multiple types of degrees available in a variety of formats. For example, students may enter the human resources management program and earn an Associate of Applied Science or a certificate.
Similarly, the cybersecurity program is offered on campus or online, as well as in a certificate format or as an Associate of Applied Science. Some programs also have a transfer option, which means a student can transfer to a four-year university after earning their associate degree. The criminal justice program is one such program where students can also focus on security, corrections, or cybersecurity.
About Westmoreland Community College
Westmoreland Community College has been in operation since 1970 and is a community college in Youngwood, Pennsylvania. The college has around 4,800 students. The school was founded to serve students in the suburbs outside of Pittsburgh and the Monongahela Valley. The college’s official colors are blue and green, and the students who play on teams are nicknamed the Wolfpack. The school’s official mascot is named Westly Wolf.
The college operates outreach centers in Indiana County and Fayette County. Overall, students may earn one of more than 64 associate degrees, as well as enroll in a variety of certificate programs. There are also several diplomas available at Westmoreland Community College. The first building constructed for the college was named Founders Hall, and it was joined by three additional buildings that were constructed to house classrooms, a library, and administrative offices.
Westmoreland Community College Accreditation Details
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has accredited Westmoreland Community College, which allows the college to award college degrees. The commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, as well as the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation ensures degrees and credits earned at the college are transferable and that students can participate in the federal student loan program.
Some programs at Westmoreland Community College offer specific accreditations and approvals by various organizations. Approvals come from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, which has accredited the dental assisting and dental hygiene programs, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, which has accredited the nursing program. An additional approval comes from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs for the diagnostic medical sonography program.
Westmoreland Community College Application Requirements
The college indicates there are five steps in the application process to Westmoreland Community College. The first step is applying online with the college’s free application. Students who want to apply to any of the college’s health professions programs will need to submit a secondary application. The second step is applying for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students will then have their official transcripts and test scores sent to the university. Not all programs require test scores, but students should check to see if they need to take the SAT or ACT. The fourth step is taking a placement assessment and participating in an educational planning session with an advisor. After the college has approved a student’s request for admission, he or she will be eligible to register for classes.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost for part-time study of fewer than 12 credits each semester is $133 per credit for residents of Westmoreland County. Out-of-county students will pay $266 per credit. Out-of-state residents will pay $399 per credit. For those who enroll in 12 to 18 credits, the cost is a flat rate of $1,995 for county residents, $3,990 for out-of-county residents, and $5,985 for out-of-state residents.
Students may also need to pay some additional fees. The college charges $61 per credit for a general fee, $6 per credit for a capital fee, and $70 to $80 per course for classes with laboratory requirements. Westmoreland County residents aren’t required to pay the capital fee. Students must also budget for books and supplies, as well as pay for services like a $135 fee for credit by exam.
Financial aid at Westmoreland Community College may be awarded based on financial need or academic performance. When applicants submit a FAFSA, the college may award the student a combination of loans, scholarships, and grants that are based on the financial need demonstrated by the student and his or her family. Students may even be given offers of employment to work on campus.
Some of the federal programs students may qualify for include the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. These grants don’t need to be repaid after the student earns his or her degree and leaves the college. For loans at Westmoreland Community College, students may receive subsidized loans that don’t accrue interest until the student graduates, or unsubsidized loans, which begin accumulating interest while the student is still enrolled in classes.
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