McLennan Community College (MLCC, MCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

McLennan Community College (MCC) is a public community college in Waco, Texas. MCC was first founded in 1965. The 200 acre campus is connected to the Bosque River and Cameron Park. The college also owns an Emergency Services Education Center and a 200 acre horse farm, Highlander Ranch, located just five miles away from the main campus in Bosqueville. The catchment area includes all of McLennan and Falls Counties as well as the Bremond and Calvert school districts. Today, there are around 9,000 students at MCC.

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Information Summary

Ranks 124th in Texas and 2263rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	59.7
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$4,710
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	16 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	59% / 43%
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,955

Academics

The student body at MCC is fairly evenly split between transfer track academic programs and direct-entry career programs. Direct-entry career training is available in over 40 technical, health, business, computer, commercial music, emergency services, human services, and veterinary fields.

There are a variety of academic programs available at MCC to fit many student profiles. The college offers remedial classwork for those needing assistance to get up to college level classwork; English as a Second Language for recent immigrants; part-time weekend and evening degree coursework for students with jobs, young children, or other significant obligations; distance learning opportunities for those who wish to study from home; and educational services that extend into the schools, prisons, and workplaces within their catchment area. MCC offers classes in basic literacy, GED, ESL, and workplace skills to around 3,500 students a year. The adult basic education program is a winner of the US Department of Education Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Adult Literacy Programs.

Students who have been in the workplace, especially those working in their field of study, may be eligible to receive credit for life experiences, therefore shortening the amount of time they need to be in college to complete a degree. Furthermore, MCC offers a wide range of community programs to benefit the general public in Waco and beyond. Programs include cooking classes, fitness programs, art seminars, day trips for seniors, and more.

Four Year Programs

MCC Partners with several four-year colleges and universities to allow students to earn bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through the University Center on campus. Partner schools include the University of Texas at Arlington, Midwestern State University, Tarleton State University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas Tech University, and University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

High School Academics

Dual credit classes at MCC allow high school students to earn college credit at reduced prices. Successful completion of the dual credit program can lead to beginning college at the sophomore level. Students may take up to two college classes per semester of their junior and senior year of high school. The program is open to homeschooled students as well as public and private school enrollees. Many students enrolled in dual credit choose to take online classes to best suit their high school schedules, although they may also take classes on campus.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

In keeping with their mission to offer technical education and higher education opportunities to any adult who wishes to pursue them, MCC offers open admissions. Some health and technical programs may have further requirements, and some have limited registration, so be sure to inquire in the department of your choice prior to enrolling.

Financial Aid

In addition to the wide range of state and federal financial aid options available to college and university students in Texas, MCC offers several of their own need- and merit-based scholarships.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6536th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Texas.

Students

Demographics

About 80% of students at MCC work at least part time while attending college and 40% of students work full-time in addition to taking classes. About 62% of MCC students are European American, 18% are African American, and18% are Latino American. The gender division at MCC is roughly 32% male and 68% female. The average age of students is 26.

Clubs and Organizations

There are dozens of student organizations on the MCC campuses to meet the personal and professional interests of a wide range of students. The Student Government Association is the voice of the student body in administrative and other public matters.

Student Services

The Student Services office offers a wide range of support services to assist students in academic success. These services include academic counselling, career counselling, employment placement services, personal counselling, testing services, and disability services.

Furthermore, the Student Services office arranges a wide variety of extracurricular academic and recreational activities to enhance student life and the learning experience on campus. The Bosque River Stage is an outdoor amphitheatre which hosts a wide variety of musical and theatrical performances for the student body and the general public throughout the school year. Art exhibits, lecture series, and community service projects are all popular with the MCC student body.

Child Care

The Helen L. Greathouse Children’s Center, licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, provides high quality child care and developmentally appropriate curriculum to children aged 4 months to 5 years. Priority is given to students who require child care in order to attend classes. Students in the child care provision field help staff the Center. The Center also provides educational training to students in the nursing, psychology, and child development departments. The Center is open five days a week throughout the school year.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The athletics department at MCC is known as the Highlanders, after the Scottish settlers who immigrated to Central Texas. The Highlanders compete in the NJCAA. Men’s sports include basketball, golf, and baseball. Women’s sports include basketball, golf, and softball. The McLennan Community College Dance Company is among the top dance and drill teams in the nation.

Local Community

MCC is one of three colleges in Waco, along with Texas State Technical College and Baylor University. There are many entertainment venues, eating establishments, and other amenities geared towards the college crowd.

Bibliography

About. McLennan Community College. Web. 24 Sept 2011.
Childrens Center. McLennan Community College. Web. 24 Sept 2011.
Fiske, Edward B. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. Chicago: Sourcebooks, 2010. Print.
Highlanders Athletics. McLennan Community College. Web. 24 Sept 2011.
Pope, Loren. Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You. New York: Penguin. 2007. Print.

McLennan Community College