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College and University Reviews
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North Virginia Community College Review, Information, Statistics & Resources |
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Introduction to the University Northern Virginia Community College is the largest educational institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the second largest multi-campus community college in the United States. Often abbreviated as NVCC and many times referred to as NOVA, Northern Virginia Community College aimed to deliver a world-class in-person and online post-secondary teaching, learning, and labor force growth to guarantee an educated population and globally competitive workforce in the state of Virginia, and the nation in general. Northern Virginia Community College is highly recommended for students who want to acquire a solid education at an affordable price. Inasmuch as, NOVA educational system is well suited for busy individuals who want to obtain a degree but cannot attend a typical classroom. NOVA provides fully credited programs with available course participation via distance learning programs. NVCC also offers a wide selection of courses and promotes a system of preferred transfer enabling students to purse a four-year degree after completion of their NOVA education. In 2003-2004, the Northern Virginia Community College admitted 63,000 students in credit courses and some 250,000 more in non-credit offerings. NOVA is part of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). The Virginia Community College System manages a network of twenty-three community colleges in Virginia, which serve the populace of Virginia and provide 2-year degrees and several specialty training and certifications. Despite the fact that NOVA is only a community college system, the quality of education is well known and draws students from near and far. The school’s student body is quite diverse both economically and ethnically speaking with a large percentage of NVCC’s enrollees being international students or immigrants. Since the opening of Northern Virginia Community College, the neighboring areas of Fairfax, Manassas, Loudoun, and Woodbridge, among others, continue to expand, contributing to a more stable economy for the area. In terms of academic resources, Northern Virginia Community College library system contain over 250, 000 volumes and subscribes to more than 200 periodicals and catalogues mostly obtained from the Virtual Library of Virginia. This suggests that NOVA maintains superior quality library system and benefits from the same resources as the other higher level colleges and universities in Virginia. In regards to NVCC’s fundraising division, the NVCC Educational Foundation successfully sponsors an increasing number of scholarships and completed the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on the Alexandria Campus in 2001. Today, the Northern Virginia Community College offers more than 160 associate degrees and certificate programs and continues to assist in establishing a competitive labor force for the country. A Brief Look at the History of Northern Virginia Community College The history of Northern Virginia Community College fine points the milieu of an educational institution devoted to providing students of all ages, schedules and goals with a solid education at an affordable price. Find a short history of the institution arranged by date below: 1964 – The school was established under the name Northern Virginia Technical College. 1965 – The college opened under the administration of President Robert W. Mckee, with 761 students in a single building in Bailey’s Crossroads. 1966 – The institution purchased 78 acres of land in Annandale to build the first of six permanent campus sites in order to accommodate an ever-growing student body. In the same year, the school was renamed Northern Virginia Community College when the Statewide General Assembly modified the name of the technical college system to the Virginia Community College System or VCCS. 1967 – NVCC opened the new structure on the Annandale campus and continued to expand with the acquisition of 100 acres for new campus sites in Sterling, Manassas and Woodbridge, Virginia 1968 – NOVA continued to develop with the introduction of Dr. Richard J. Ernst as president. 1969 – The school purchased an additional campus site in Alexandria. 1975 – NOVA’s goal to serve students with a wide variety of needs commenced the idea of opening the Extended Learning Institute, built in order to accommodate individuals who wanted an education but could not attend traditional college programs due to their work requirements or otherwise busy schedules. 1998 – Under the college Presidency of Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, NVCC purchased a site that became the Medical Campus and established educational centers in Arlington and Reston Virginia. 2010 – The new center, Innovation Park, was added to NOVA. 2010 – At present, Northern Virginia Community College offers more than 160 associate degrees and certificate programs under the guidance of Dr. Robert G. Templin, Jr. How the Educational System Works Northern Virginia Community College is a community college that provides 2-year degrees and various specialty vocational training programs and certifications. The school comprises several campus sites and educational centers in Northern Virginia including: Alexandria Alexandria Campus occupies a total area of 51.4 acres and comprises three buildings, along with the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. The Bisdorf Building, also located in Alexandria Campus boasts exceptional science laboratories, a complete student service center and a 150-seat theater. The Alexandria Campus offers an array of academic programs, continuing educational classes, events and campus facilities for students. Some of the discrete credit programs available at the Alexandria Campus include Automotive, Communication Design, Early Childhood Education, Fine Arts, Honors and Photography. A rather curious course titled Motorcycle Rider is a non-credit course available at the institution. Students at Alexandria Campus also have access to the Academic Center for Excellence, Language Center and Writing Assistance Center in addition to standard college resources. Annandale The Annandale Campus comprises eight main buildings and several other buildings such as the campus police station, a greenhouse and numerous maintenance buildings. Annandale Campus is the biggest campus site of Northern Virginia Community College, occupying a total area of 78 acres. Among the distinctive program offerings at the Annandale Campus are American Sign Language, Fire Science, Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, Marketing: eCommerce, Network Engineering, Recreation and Parks, and Travel and Tourism. In addition to standard college resources, Annandale Campus provides Cooperative Education, an International Student Center, ESL Center, Match Center and Writing Center to further enhance students’ learning experience. Loudoun Finding its place is an extensive 93 acres total area, Loudoun Campus, located in Sterling, Virginia. This campus features eight buildings, two greenhouses, a dog run, the Wadell Art Gallery and the Wadell Theatre that has a 230-seat capacity. Loudoun Campus offers credit programs in Biotechnology, Communication Design, Geography and Geospatial Technology (GST), Horticulture, Interior Design, Music Recording Technology, Historic Preservation and Veterinary Technology. Motorcycle Rider, a non-credit course offered at Alexandria Campus, is also available at Loudoun Campus. Manassas NOVA Manassas Campus is situated next to the historical site of National Battlefield Park (the site of the first major combat of the American Civil War). Manassas Campus remains to be one of NVCC’s smaller campuses providing overall better personal interaction among students and teachers. This campus site contains six classroom buildings, the Mary Louise Jackson Amphitheatre, the 120-seat Colgan Theatre, and Innovation Park. Some of the distinct credit programs you’ll obtain at the Manassas Campus include Automotive Technology, Biotechnology, Early Childhood Education and Welding. In addition to standard college resources, NOVA’s Manassas Campus provides access to a Math Center and a Reading/Writing Center. Medical Education The Medical Education Campus is a technologically specialized campus situated in Springfield, Virginia. NVCC’s Medical Education Campus is dedicated in the instruction and training of Nursing and Allied Health professionals with a strong devotion to labor force development and continuing education. Some of the credit programs offered at the Medical Education Campus include Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Imaging (Radiography), Emergency Medical Services, Health Information Management, Medical Lab Technology & Phlebotomy, Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Therapy and Massage Therapy. In addition to standard college resources, NOVA’s MEC gives access to an Academic Success Center and a Clinical Simulation Center. Woodbridge The Woodbridge Campus sits on 109 acres in Prince William County, featuring four classroom buildings, sports facilities and a stunning on-campus lake. Among the credit programs offered at Woodbridge Campus are: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Business Management, Massage Therapy and Photography. In addition to typical college resources, NOVA’s Woodbridge Campus features academic support services from the Tutoring Center, providing a more cohesive learning environment among students. Arlington Center The Arlington Center offers various educational and work-related credits, workforce development and continuing education programs. Arlington Center features exceptional classrooms, computer labs, a nurses training lab and a comprehensive WIFI-ready electronic library and media center. The Arlington Center is actually part of the Alexandria Campus. Credit programs including Construction Management Technology and an Intensive English Program. Innovation Park Innovation Park provides a selection of educational programs, continuing education classes, personal interest courses, events and campus facilities. Some of the distinct credit programs found at Innovation Park are in the fields of Communications Technologies, Social Sciences along with Science and Applied Technologies. Reston Center The Reston Center features classrooms, computer labs, a GIS lab, a library and a large multipurpose room for seminars and training programs. Basically, the Reston Center is part of the Loudoun Campus. Among the programs offered at the Center include Early Childhood Education, Geography and Geospatial Technology (GST), and several computer-related courses. NOVA’s Reston Center provides access from all the same facilities and resources as the Loudoun Campus consisting of an ESL Center, Math Center and Writing Center. ELI Distance Learning This Extended Learning Institute provides instruction to individuals who cannot attend a typical classroom setting. Northern Virginia Community College ELI offers three types of distance learning curriculum, including online courses, telecourses and virtual hybrid courses. With NOVA’s ELI, students can finish an entire associate degree through distance learning in various areas that include: Accounting, Administration of Justice, Business Administration, Business Management, Business Management specializing in Administrative Support Technology, Business Management specializing in Public Management, Fire Science, General Studies, Information Technology, Science, Science with a specialization in Math, Social Sciences, Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts with a specialization in International Studies or Liberal Arts with a specialization in Speech Communication. Students also have the ability to acquire certificates online in the fields of Administration of Justice, Bookkeeping, Small Business Management, Accounting, Application Programming, Business Information Technology, Business Management Principles, Desktop Publishing, eCommerce, Infant and Toddler Care, Leadership Development and Network Administration. Program Listings NOVA currently offers 160 associate degrees and certificate programs. Below is the comprehensive list of Northern Virginia Community College’s academic programs. Allied Health and Nursing Programs Accounting .A.A.S.
Administration of Justice A.A.S.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration A.A.S.
American Sign Language to English Interpretation A.A.S.
Architecture Technology A.A.S.
Automotive Technology A.A.S.
Biotechnology A.A.S.
Business Administration A.S Business Management A.A.S.
Construction Management Technology A.A.S.
Early Childhood Development A.A.S.
Engineering A.S.
Fine Arts A.A.
Fire Science Technology A.A.S. Fitness Career Studies Certificate
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Career Studies Certificate
Horticulture Technology A.A.S.
Hospitality Management A.A.S.
Information Technology A.S
Interior Design A.A.S. Liberal Arts A.A.
Marketing A.A.S.
Massage Therapy Career Studies Certificate Music A.A.
Paralegal Studies A.A.S.
Science A.S.
Social Sciences A.S.
Travel and Tourism Certificate
Veterinary Technology A.A.S. Welding: Basic Techniques Career Studies Certificate ALLIED HEALTH AND NURSING PROGRAMS General Information and Admissions Requirements Dental Hygiene A.A.S. Diagnostic Medical Sonography A.A.S.
Health Information Management A.A.S.
Nursing A.A.S.
Phlebotomy Career Studies Certificate Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S. Radiography A.A.S.
Respiratory Therapy A.A.S. For additional details of the specific programs available at NOVA, please visit the Northern Virginia Community College official website. Advantages of Enrolling at Northern Virginia Community College One advantage of studying at Northern Virginia Community College is the ability to acquire a quality education at an affordable price. NOVA also serves as a stepping stone for those who want a degree but are not yet ready to enter a large university. NVCC’s open admission policy affords almost all students great opportunities to enhance their skills in specific areas. In terms of diversity, Northern Virginia Community College is one of the most racially diverse campuses in the country allowing students to comingle with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. A Glimpse of the Weather when Studying at Northern Virginia Community College When studying at Northern Virginia Community College expect a humid, subtropical climate. Basically, the region’s weather has been illustrated as not too hot and not too cold and often referred to as a “Goldilocks Climate”. Wintery weather in Northern Virginia starts in November and can last until late March and beyond. Snowfall is typically minimal. There may normally be two or three snowfalls during the entire season. Occasional wind storms may also occur during this time of year. Northern Virginia spring times feature mild temperatures that will normally last for two months. Spring temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures in Northern Virginia can max-out from between 90 up to the absolute max of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time, expect hot, moist or humid days. Late afternoon thunderstorms may also occur due to superhot and humid days but these are rather rare occurrences. Like spring season, fall does not last long. Temperature starts to cool in late September or early October. Fall temperatures are usually in the high 50s and 60's at worst case. Generally, there is no single rainy season in Northern Virginia as rainfall may occur in all four seasons. The region receives an adequate and good amount of precipitation throughout the year. Is There Any Downside to Enrolling at Northern Virginia Community College? One disadvantage of enrolling at Northern Virginia Community College is the lack of placement services for its graduates. A surprising few (approximately 13%) of its students complete their education and graduate with a full degree. Even so, NOVA’s educators are highly dedicated in educating their graduates to become competitive individuals. Also, the school has a fair reputation of producing a good percentage of competitive graduates. A Final Word about the Quality of Education Offered at Northern Virginia Community College Potential students looking for additional reasons to consider studying at Northern Virginia Community College, consider this: NOVA provides a large number of programs of study at very affordable tuition rates and low fees. In addition to the school’s several programs offered, NVCC also provides distance learning and offers part-time classes for qualified individuals. Also, the school library systems benefited from the same academic resources that most colleges and universities in Virginia enjoy. Most students at NOVA are concentrated in specific areas/campuses, all under one roof so to speak, such as computer science and engineering; business and management; therapy and counseling. This community college has attributes more like a university. With 6 campus sites scattered throughout the state of Virginia, Northern Virginia Community College comprises more than 2,300 faculty and staff members and approximately 60,000 students. It is credibly recognized as the largest educational institution in Virginia and the second largest community college in the United States. Northern Virginia Community College participates in US Title IV financial assistance programs and continued to strive in producing globally competitive graduates. *Source:
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