Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) is a two year community college in Mississippi. The college was founded as a high school in 1912, then began offering junior college courses in 1925. Today, it’s one of the largest community colleges in the state of Mississippi.

The college has four campuses and four additional learning centers: the main campus in Perkinston; the Jackson County campus in Gautier; the Jefferson Davis campus in Gulfport; the Community campus, which does not have a physical center; the Applied Technology and Development Center in Gulfport; the George County Center in Lucedale; the West Harrison County Center in Long Beach; and the Keesler Center on Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.

Information Summary

Ranks 22nd in Mississippi and 2081st overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	62.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$12,120
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	21 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	63% / 15%
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,950

Academics

Academic Transfer Programs

Many of the students at MGCCC use their work at the college to springboard into four-year schools. Academic, transfer preparation programs include Architectural Technology, Art, Art Education, American Studies, Business Education, Computer Science, Construction Engineering Technology, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Engineering, Fire Science Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology, Interior Design, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Medical Record Administration, Medical Technology, Music, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Science Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and Veterinary Science.

Career Programs

Career programs at MGCCC include Auto Collision Repair Technology, Automotive Technology, Commercial/Residential Maintenance, Commercial Truck Driving, Cosmetology, Electrical Lineman Apprentice, Electrical Technology, Food Production and Management Technology, General Drafting Technology, Heating and Cooling Technology, Landscape management Technology, Machine Tool Technology, and Welding.

Learning Resources Center

The Learning Resources Center on each campus houses the library, media center, and learning skills center. Tutors are available on a walk-in and appointment basis for help with math, English, reading, accounting, science, and study skills.

Mississippi Tech Prep

Like many community colleges, MGCCC has a program to welcome high school students into college work before their graduation, Mississippi Tech Prep. Academic education and vocational education are intertwined in the program, helping students make the connections between their work and its meaning in the wider world around them.

Lifelong Learning Institute

Mature adults interested in continuing education can join the Lifelong Learning Institute. For a modest annual fee, members can attend monthly luncheon lectures, participate in community service together, and go on a number of educational trips. Members also get student rates at MCGGG athletic events, theatre performances, music shows, and wellness centers. They receive borrowing privileges at the college libraries, health screenings from nursing students, and on-campus parking permits.

Library Resources

The libraries contain more than 100,000 volumes. They are linked to several electronic research databases and libraries throughout Mississippi through interlibrary loan programs for virtually unlimited research possibilities for MGCCC students. The library provides academic support services, including individual instruction and small group instruction with professional tutors; technological supports for learning math, science, accounting, writing, and study skills. In addition to the standard resources of any college library, there are a large number of electronic databases available for student research at the college, including an extensive classical music collection, the Gale Literary Index, a jazz music library, and an anatomy video series for health program students.

Academic Service Learning

Academic Service Learning combines classroom learning, personal interest, and community service. Students participating in the program receive credit for their work in college-approved community organizations and bring their experiences back to the classroom for further reflection.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

In keeping with their mission as a community college, admissions at MGCCC are open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent who wishes to study in higher education. There are a few prerequisites for health-related programs not shared by the other programs at the college. It is necessary to undergo substance testing and a criminal background history check in order to enrol in these programs. Health programs at MGCCC include Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic, Medical Billing and Coding, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Office Technology, Associate Nursing, LPN to RN Transition, Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, and Surgical Technology.

International Students Admissions

MGCCC also welcomes international students. To apply, students should have the equivalent of a U.S. high school education and send their application in with academic transcripts, proof of immunization, proof of medical insurance, negative tuberculosis test, and proof of English proficiency. Students who do not otherwise prove English proficiency should send a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score—CBC requires a score of at least 525 on the paper test, 195 on the computer test, or 69 on the internet test.

Financial Aid

In addition to the usual range of federal financial aid options open to any college or university student in the United States, students at MGCCC generally qualify to apply for a Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant and/or a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant. The college also offers several of their own unique academic scholarships.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6046th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Mississippi.

Students

Clubs and Organizations

There are a large number of student groups at MGCCC, including several honors clubs, music groups, religious organizations, art groups, political organizations, professional interest groups, and social groups. Clubs and organizations are regulated by the Student Government Association (SGA).

Student Services

A staff of professional counsellors at MGCCC strive to meet the needs of students as they find their way through higher education. Student services include college orientation for first-year students, placement testing, career counselling, personal counselling, veterans educational services, and financial aid counselling.

Student Center

The Student Center on the main campus contains several food and drink machines. The Cyber Café is located next to the Student Center and provides wireless internet access for students doing work while on campus.

Veteran Student Services Office

MGCCC prides itself on being a military-friendly school. The college maintains a Veteran Student Services office to provide veterans, reservists, and the dependents of veterans and reservists with assistance in accessing the educational benefits which are features of their contracts with the military. Benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill, Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), GI Bill-Selected Reserve (REAP), Post 9/11 GI Bill, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA), and Vocational Rehabilitation are all processed through the Veteran Student Services Office. Trained counsellors are on-call to assist with any applications or other necessary details of helping veterans access their educational benefits.

Gulf Coast Youth Leadership Program

The Gulf Coast Youth Leadership Program is a one-year program with the goal of identifying and developing youth leadership in the community. The program offers high school juniors opportunities in personal development, community relations, government practices, and business and economic development. Participants attend presentations, field trips, mentorship projects, and participate in teamwork situations. Projects include a ropes challenge course, a trip to the Mississippi legislature, and a community service project.

Volunteer/Service Learning Center

The Volunteer/Service Learning Center organizes opportunities to participate in environmental and social action initiatives around the Gulf coast. The office keeps a list of reputable local organizations to connect students with volunteer assignments that best fit their interests and abilities.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The athletic department at MGCCC is known as the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs compete in the NJCAA and the Mississippi Community College Athletic Conference. Competitive intervarsity sports include football, baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, and golf.

Intramural sports and recreation include the annual superstars fitness competition, basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, softball, whiffle ball, swimming, ping pong, canoeing, and a variety of sports clinics.

Local Community

student life happen are Biloxi and Gulfport. The entire area is serviced by the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.

Biloxi

Biloxi lies on the Mississippi Sound of the Gulf of Mexico. There are a number of barrier islands off the coast, making for lots of recreational marine activity, including sport fishing for red drum, mackerel, grouper, flounder, snapper, and sharks. Biloxi is also the home to Keesler Air Force Base and several casinos, resorts, and restaurants. Sports fans support the minor league hockey team Mississippi Surge.There are many intellectual cultural offerings in the city as well, including theatre companies, a symphony, and the Frank Gehry-designed Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.

Gulfport

Gulfport, Mississippi (motto: Where Your Ship Comes In) is a city of more than 67,000 people. It has an active seaport and many career opportunities relating to marine shipping, fishing, and the oil industry. Gulfport is also home to the Navy Seabees and a variety of military-related businesses.

Gulfport boasts over 6 miles of white sand beaches, several casinos, and several annual festival events, including the world’s largest fishing rodeo, a classic car exhibition, and a variety of speedboat races.

Alumni

Well-known alumni at MGCCC include running back Dantrell Savage, athlete and celebrity entertainer Jonathan Aldridge, nose tackle Terrence Cody, linebacker Eltoro Freeman, and defensive back Demond Washington.

Bibliography

Admissions. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Web. 7 May. 2011.

Fiske, Edward B. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. Chicago: Sourcebooks, 2010. Print.

Pope, Loren. Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You. New York: Penguin. 2007. Print.

Student Handbook. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Web. 7 May. 2011.

Veterans Services. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Web. 7 May. 2011.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College