MCC Students Achieve Success in Double-Up Program Starting Oct. 24.

Double your hours, take half the classes.

A compact class program Middlesex County College (MCC) has been dabbling in for some time has proven to be a big hit for students who do well by immersing themselves in a subject. It's been so successful that the college has expanded the number of course offerings in the program, which begins again Oct. 24.

The pilot program involved natural pairings of classes, such as Western Civilization I and II. Instead of taking Western Civ I for a semester, followed by Western Civ II the next semester, students in the pilot program would take the first part of the program for 7 weeks instead of the traditional 14 weeks, but double the number of hours they met inside that 7 week timeframe. It would be immediately followed by the same kind of double-up program for Western Civ 2 for the remaining 7 weeks in the semester.

That way, a student could finish 6 credits of Western Civ in one semester instead of taking a whole school year to do it.

MCC found that the program worked well for students who excel by focusing on one subject at a time, so they've expanded the program to include other subjects. They include: Introduction to Education, History of Western Civilization, U.S. National Government, Introductory Psychology, Child Psychology, Financial Accounting, Business Organization and Management, and Principal of Economics I.

Students can still take the traditional 12 credits in a semester, but they complete two of the 7-week courses in each 'mini semester.' 

The next 7-week session begins Oct. 24, and students interested in the concept can sign up for those sessions now.

"It was very successful. It allows students taking our Student Success Courses to finish them quicker and go into the General Education program. The idea behind this seven-week program is based on the idea that some students do better if they immerse themselves in only one or two subject areas," said Aretha Watson, director of admission and assistant dean of enrollment and student support services.

For more information, call 732-548-6000, or email the Registrar’s Office at registration@middlesexcc.edu.