Hibbing Community College

Distance Learning

Hibbing, Minnesota

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

Hibbing Community College offers A.A., A.S., and A.A.S. degrees online. Many students take HCC online courses to fulfill the requirements of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum for the first two years of a baccalaureate degree program. HCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools for both on-site and online degrees. HCC is working hard to meet the needs of students who need to learn anywhere, any time.

DELIVERY MEDIA

HCC's online courses use Desire2Learn software. Students have access through HCC's Web pages and interact with the instructor and other students via e-mail and the Message Center (bulletin board discussion). Some courses require online or other testing at proctored test sites. Student support is exceptional, with staff members on hand for technical help, advisement, or other student services.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Students may obtain an associate degree or complete the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum requirements entirely online. A selection of courses within ten Minnesota Transfer Curriculum categories allows students to continue the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree with any of the four-year institutions within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The Medical Laboratory Technician Program is online; it includes some face-to-face time, but some students have managed to participate from outside the state or even outside the country. The Dental Assisting Program is also delivered online. Other degree programs are expected to follow. Some of the courses include Drawing 1, Introduction to Art, Computer Applications, C++ Programming, UNIX/Linux, Web Authoring, Freshman Composition, Advanced Freshman Composition, Environmental Literature, Ethics, U.S. History to 1877, Native American History, Medical Terminology, Psychology of Adjustment, General Psychology, Fitness Walking, Industrial Safety, Principles of Math, History of the Atomic Bomb, Astronomy, and Sociology. Many new general education and technical courses continue to be added.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Hibbing Community College offers customized training to business and corporate clients in many areas. Computer, safety and health, and business courses are the most popular.

STUDENT SERVICES

HCC offers a full range of student services for its online students. All students have access to a free online orientation and are able to use the library services (WebPALS). Interlibrary loan service allows students to obtain any materials available throughout the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities' libraries. Students simply request these materials online by entering their account number.

Registration is entirely online. Application forms are downloadable from the College's Web site. Transcripts are required from other institutions and need to be requested for forwarding to HCC.

Computer services provides support for online students. One e-mail and phone number is used for one-stop assistance with any technical matters.

Financial aid application and support is available online. HCC has a toll-free number for students who may need help with anything that develops. Online students receive the same attention as the residential students.

Hibbing Community College (HCC), a technical and community college, provides excellence in lifelong educational and career opportunities in a responsive learning environment.

Hibbing Community College offers associate degrees that transfer and can be applied as the first two years of a baccalaureate degree, career programs, continuing education classes, and workshops and certificates for updating job skills.

HCC is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MnSCU).

Hibbing was one of the first towns in the nation to expand educational opportunities by opening a two-year college in 1916. Thus, Hibbing Community College is one of the oldest two-year colleges in Minnesota and the nation.

Today, HCC serves more than 1,800 students each semester, including more than 500 online students.

CREDIT OPTIONS

Credits earned at accredited colleges, technical schools, or universities may be transferred to Hibbing Community College, depending upon the applicability of the credit earned to the student's program. Articulation agreements within Minnesota facilitate smooth transition to HCC programs. Students may transfer all HCC credits to Capella University through a partnership HCC has with that virtual university. HCC also partners with Metro State University, offering two-year and four-year online degrees in business administration. Similar agreements with other institutions are pending.

FACULTY

Hibbing Community College has 65 full-time and 35 part-time faculty members. HCC has state-of-the-art technology and faculty members who are well trained in its use. All online faculty members have received extensive training in online course development and delivery. In addition, HCC has an instructional technology department that provides a high degree of support for faculty members at all times, including during online course delivery. If faculty members cannot answer students' questions about online issues, instructional support is available to solve any problems that arise.

ADMISSION

Hibbing Community College is committed to open admissions. The basic requirement of an applicant is a high school diploma or GED certificate. A person who has neither a high school diploma nor a GED certificate may be admitted if, at the discretion of the College, that person demonstrates potential for being a successful college student. Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission to college-level courses.

Students may contact the direct number for admissions. All online students may contact Counselor Kathy Nucech directly, by telephone at 218-262-6752 or by e-mail at [email protected].

For technical support or other information, students may contact Jim Antilla, Director of Instructional Technology (e-mail: [email protected]), or Shelly McCauley, Instructional Technology Assistant (e-mail: [email protected]. edu). They may be reached by telephone at 218-263-2970 or 800-224-4422 (toll-free).

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition is $110 per credit for on-site courses and $130 per credit for online courses for 2004–05. Students should check the Web site for updated tuition information. Rates are the same for residents and nonresidents for all online courses.

FINANCIAL AID

Most of the students attending Hibbing Community College, a technical and community college, are eligible for some form of financial aid. While a part of the responsibility for financing a college education will be assumed by the students and/or their parents, HCC helps students explore options to receive aid. Complete information is available on the HCC Web site.

CONTACT

Admissions
Hibbing Community College
1515 East 25th Street
Hibbing, Minnesota 55746
Telephone: 800-224-4422 (toll-free)
Fax: 218-262-6717
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.hcc.mnscu.edu

APPLYING

Applications are available online at the HCC Web site. Transcripts are required from previous schools attended. Fees are also due before courses begin. More information is available via the Web site and e-mail.