About The College

Butler County Community College (BC3), chartered in 1965, was the first community college in Western Pennsylvania. On September 26, 1966, the College opened its doors to 242 day and 190 evening students. Today, more than 3,700 students are enrolled in credit programs. Another 25,000 people take part annually in the many other educational opportunities available.

The BC3 main campus is located on 323 acres along Decatur Drive in Butler Township. The College is easily accessible from many of the major highways that traverse Butler County. The 21 modern campus buildings are placed under tall oak trees, among rolling hills, and border on the old Oak Hills Golf Course.

College Facilities

The 21 buildings on campus house classrooms, the Library, and 36 laboratory areas in addition to the College’s administration and student support offices.

College Location

The College is located two miles south of the city of Butler, Pennsylvania, on a spacious, wooded campus. Information about the College and its programs may be obtained by visiting bc3.edu/admissions or by calling the BC3 Admissions Office at 724-284-8501.

Butler County Community College Education Foundation, Inc.

The Butler County Community College Education Foundation, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization and is responsible for fundraising for the College. It is managed by a 21 member volunteer Board of Directors consisting of community leaders committed to the success of the College. The Foundation seeks and manages private gifts to support the College with student scholarships, equipment purchases, faculty enhancement awards and grants for capital and program improvements.

The Conservancy

The Conservancy 50-acre estate, located five miles south of Butler County Community College, features a mansion, a barn, an event shelter, two ponds, several program buildings and various natural habitats. The Conservancy serves as a backdrop for a host of environmental programs, special events, conferences, business trainings, art shows and other community activities. The Conservancy hosts BC3’s newest adult continuing education program, Heritage School, offering relaxed classes in time honored crafts and utilitarian trades. To contact The Conservancy, call 724-586-2591.

Butler County Community College Alumni Association

The BC3 Alumni Association was established in 1998 to enhance the relationship between the College, former students, and the community. The goals of the Alumni Association are to recognize alumni accomplishments, provide recreational opportunities for alumni and their families, and to support the mission of the College. Membership is open to all individuals who have attended BC3 and to anyone interested in supporting the mission of the Alumni Association and the College. Membership benefits include membership eligibility in the Butler Armco Employees Credit Union, discounts on Succop Theater tickets and the BC3 Bookstore, free admission to athletic events, special offers to alumni events, and a subscription to the “Pioneer Perspectives” newsletter. For information contact Michelle Jamieson, Alumni Director, call 724-287-8711, ext. 8235, or visit the Alumni page of bc3.edu.

Off-Campus Locations

BC3 @ Cranberry – Located in Cranberry Township, BC3 @ Cranberry offers a wide range of courses and services. Programs include Graphic Design, Business Administration, General Studies, Business Management, Psychology and Pre-nursing and Education. Both day and evening courses are available along with a variety of noncredit opportunities. Also available are admissions services, financial aid information, placement testing, academic advising, career counseling, scheduling and registration as well as workshops and seminars for academic and career enhancement. Call 724-772-5520 for more information.

BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing – This new, state of the art facility is located in Union Township, Lawrence County. The 25,000 foot building will open for the fall 2008 semester and house programming in General Studies, Pre-Nursing, Elementary Education, Business Administration, Psychology, Criminology, Business Management and new programming in Medical Assistant and Medical Coding. In addition to credit courses, an extensive noncredit schedule is offered at Lawrence Crossing and at the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center. Additional student services include admissions services, academic advising, placement testing, scheduling and registration. Call 724-658-1938 for more information.

BC3 @ LindenPointe – A wide range of credit and noncredit classes are offered at LindenPointe in Hermitage, Mercer County. Both day and evening classes are offered in the following programs: Computer Information Systems, Education, Business Administration, Business Management, Pre-Nursing and General Transfer. Classes are also available at Hickory High School, and the Community Education Council of Mercer County. LindenPointe also offers admissions interviews, academic advising, placement testing, registration options and other student services needs. Call 724-346-2073 for more information.

Distance Education

Butler County Community College offers distance education courses over the Internet. Classes follow the usual BC3 semesters, however, students can work when and where it is convenient. Additionally, unlike some distance education programs, the faculty members who teach distance education courses are the same ones who teach in the classroom.

There are many benefits to taking distance education courses. They allow you to take college classes while working full-time. You can work at your own pace in the comfort of your home. By combining distance education courses with traditional face-to-face classes, you can become a full-time student without a daily commute to campus.

Courses are fully-accredited and transferable and qualify for financial aid. Your transcript will not differentiate a distance education course from a traditional one. For additional information call 724-287-8711, ext. 8279.

Field House

The Field House is home to all of the college’s athletic, intramural and physical education programs. The main floor is adaptable to basketball, tennis, volleyball, badminton and includes an indoor batting cage. A racquetball court and ping-pong tables are located on the upper level along with a fitness center that features the most current cardiovascular, free weight and Cybex exercise equipment. There are two large locker rooms for students, a training room and classroom located on the lower level, and athletic offices located on the upper level.

Outdoor facilities on campus include a baseball field, walking and jogging trails and golfing areas.

College Bookstore

The Bookstore is located on the southern end of the campus between the Social Science Building and the Arts and Hospitality Building. Textbooks and educational supplies are sold, as well as clothing, cards and gifts. Bookstore hours during the fall and spring semesters are 8:30 am – 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 am – 4:00 pm on Friday. The Bookstore hours during the Summer Session are posted.

Books may be purchased online, by mail, or by calling the Bookstore at 724-284-8503. Books for courses held at the College Centers may also be purchased online or by mail.

Student Union

The Student Union is located in the lower level of the Convocation Center across from the Administration Building. It is a place where students eat, relax and enjoy entertainment. The Pioneer Café and vending machines provide food. Pool tables, pinball, and other games are provided for recreation.

The Office of Student Life provides students with information, houses the lost and found, and coordinates student activities on campus.

Other student lounge areas are located on each floor of the Science and Technology Building, and in the lobby of the Student Services Building.

Cultural Center

The Cultural Center at BC3 is housed in the Science, Technology and Cultural Center building that opened its doors in August of 2002 and is comprised of the Succop Theater and the Mary Hulton Phillips Gallery. The state-of-the-art Succop Theater has hosted a wide variety of programs since its opening and is the home of Butler’s only Performing Arts Series featuring world class theater, music and dance performances. In addition, many local performing arts organizations have enjoyed successful productions in the Succop Theater.

The 2008-2009 season will offer subscribers season tickets to a variety of performing arts events throughout the academic year. During the summer, the Succop Theater will host the free Summer Concert Series held on Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM.

The Mary Hulton Phillips Gallery is adjacent to the theater lobby and features exhibits from local and regional artists in addition to showcasing student works and pieces from BC3’s permanent collection. The gallery is open in conjunction with events in the Succop Theater and additional public hours as advertised. For more information about the Succop Theater and the Mary Hulton Phillips Gallery or for tickets to upcoming performances, call 724-284-8505.

The Business Learning Center (BLC)

The Business Learning Center (BLC) is located in the upper level of the Business and Health Professions Building. It is open during the semester from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday. A member of the College staff is in the BLC during these hours.

The goal of the Business Learning Center is to complement students’ educational experiences in the classroom with individualized, self-paced learning opportunities. Staff are present throughout the day and evening to ensure that these learning opportunities are available. By providing a modern computer lab, open to all BC3 students, the BLC seeks to assure that students have access to apply information and practice skills acquired in the classroom. State-ofthe- art computer hardware, including microcomputers, scanners, laser printers, as well as dictation equipment, are available. JAWS software and a Braille printer are available for use by any student with a visual handicap.

Technology Independent Study Lab (TISL)

The Technology Independent Study Lab (TISL) is a computer/Internet Lab designed primarily for technology student use. Located in Room 316 of the Science and Technology Building, it contains 24 stations, two laser printers, a variety of software applications, and tutorial assistance for educational purposes.

John A. Beck, Jr. Library

John A. Beck, Jr. Library provides an organized and readily accessible collection of print and non-print materials selected to support the curricular and recreational needs of BC3 students and employees. Patrons may use Beck Library’s Internet-based catalog to search the library’s book and audiovisual collections, or they may use the online subscription databases to locate articles. Interlibrary loan and reciprocal borrowing services are available if the library does not have the materials needed by staff or students. A photocopier, AV equipment, and group study rooms are available for patrons to use.

Library staff provides individualized reference service and classroom instruction.

Library Hours

Fall and Spring Semesters:

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Summer hours as posted. The library is closed during scheduled College holidays.

Types of Library Materials

Continuing Education

The mission of Continuing Education is to meet the educational needs of individuals and organizations in areas of occupational advancement, public safety, basic skills and personal enrichment.

It is the goal of Continuing Education to meet the self-defined noncredit educational needs of the community and its citizens in an effective and efficient manner. To this end, flexibility and innovation characterize the business and community educational courses and programs offered by the Continuing Education Division. Over 25,000 persons of all ages are involved in courses and programs each year.

These programs are offered day or evening, weekday or weekend, and vary in length from short-term workshops and seminars to a full, 15-week semester. No previous college experience is required. Participants in these programs do not receive college credit. With sufficient student demand, classes can be developed at any time in various locations such as Main Campus, Oak Hills; the Cranberry Center; the Lawrence County Center; the Mercer County Center at Linden Pointe; and various community locations and high schools.

New programs are constantly being considered and individuals and groups are encouraged to call the Continuing Education Office to request course offerings at 724-284-8504. Each semester, a list of noncredit course offerings is published and distributed to community residents and major businesses and industries in Butler County, Lawrence County, and Mercer County.

Registration for Continuing Education classes is on-going. Fall semester noncredit usually begins the last week of August and the spring term begins the last week of January. Summer sessions begin in mid-May.

The possibilities for programs and courses in Continuing Education are extensive. The divisions working within Continuing Education include: Life-long Learing; Adult Literacy; Professional Education & Certificate Programs; the Business & Industry Training Institute; Public Safety; College Within the High School; The Heritage School; and Kids on Campus. For a description of offerings within each division, please see individual listings.

Life-Long Learning

The Adult & Community Education program promotes lifelong learning and offers classes that will expand your knowledge, enhance your skills and enrich your personal life experience. In addition to classes that will assist you in occupational or professional advancement, there are many opportunities to experience fun and the joy of learning! Educational opportunities are offered for all ages and all skill levels throughout the year at a variety of sites in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer Counties, with new classes beginning every day. The program features classes in computer and software applications; academic development; SAT Prep for high school students; foreign and American Sign languages; real estate license preparation; business management and career development; professional development; accounting; aviation science; cultural and fine arts; cooking; home & garden; personal development and finances; outdoor adventure; physical fitness; and dance. In addition, access to over 300 unique online courses every month is available to you through our noncredit website at www.ed2go.com/bccc, providing an opportunity to learn when it is most convenient for you. For more information or a current schedule, please call 724-284-8504.

Heritage School at The Conservancy

Heritage School at The Conservancy is Butler County Community College’s newest year round adult continuing education program. The 50-acre Conservancy offers a unique learning atmosphere in a relaxed, native environment. The Conservancy is located at 185 West Airport Road, Butler, PA 16002. Heritage School at The Conservancy offers traditional art and trade courses including blacksmithing, Native American arts, organic gardening, beer brewing, folk art painting, woodworking, fiber arts, dulcimer and more. Visit heritageschool.org or call 724-586-2591 for more information.

Adult Literacy

The Adult Literacy program assists adults in meeting basic education needs by providing free instruction, flexible scheduling, and opportunities to improve personal and workplace skills. Following an orientation, assessment and goal setting process, students choose an educational plan that may include one-on-one tutor instruction, admission into an adult basic education or GED class, or guided study through distance learning. Instruction is available to improve reading, writing and/or math skills, or in combination to prepare for the GED exam. Beginning computer classes and labs, as well as assistance with reading, writing and math, are offered to qualified students who need to develop essential skills for the workplace. Adult Literacy helps adult learners transition to post secondary education and training through Transitions program. The program also offers opportunities in English for Speakers of Other Languages and Financial Literacy. For more information or for assistance with enrollment, please call 724-287-8711, ext. 8350.

Professional Education & Certificate Programs

BC3’s Office of Professional Education & Certificate Programs offers noncredit courses and programs designed to meet your learning and professional development needs. Whether you want training for a new career, want to upgrade your skills for a current job, need continuing education courses for license renewal, or just want to take classes of interest to you, we have a variety of programs from which you can choose. Noncredit programs and courses include: Act 48 courses for school personnel; Continuing education courses for certified public accountants, enrolled agents, and other tax practitioners; Continuing Legal Education; Computer certification programs & courses; Personal Care Home Administrator Training; Notary Training; Certificates of Completion in Floral Design, Web Site Design, Adobe Photoshop, Professional Cake Decorating and Leadership and Supervision; ServSafe Food Safety Training. Many new offerings are currently being created. Call 724-287-8711 ext. 8421 to obtain further information on our courses and programs.

Business & Industry Training Institute

The Business & Industry Training Institute (BITI) is a division of Butler County Community College (BC3) that offers training to business, industry, government, and non-profit organizations on a customized, contracted basis.

BC3 is proud of its reputation for delivering quality training and education to the Western Pennsylvania Workforce. We combine the expertise of our full time faculty, continuing professional education faculty, public safety professionals and corporate trainers to deliver customized business and industry training.

BITI trainers combine subject knowledge with “real world” experience to develop and deliver effective training programs. We provide leadership and supervision programs, computer courses at all levels, Solidworks, CNC, MasterCam, and blueprint reading just to name a few. Training may be conducted at the company site or at any of the college’s locations. Let us assist you in developing a program to meet your company’s specific training needs.

The Business & Training Institute works as your partner, helping you analyze and define individual employee needs for training. We will help you develop a needs assessment along with course content and objectives. Training will also be scheduled in a way that fits your specific requirements.

We can also help you integrate programs into your performance management system, so that you can align training activities with business goals and performance improvement needs.

BC3 is a WEDnet PA partner. That means that we will assist your company in applying for training grants through the State’s Guaranteed Free Training program or in applying for other grants.

For more information on how we may help you improve your bottom line through focused customized training, please call 724-287-8711, ext. 8290.

Public Safety – EMS/Police Division

The Emergency Medical Services/ Police Division is an integrated part of Public Safety Training. The EMS programs consist of Department of Health programs, Non-credit Nursing programs, Phlebotomy, and specialized Emergency Medical education.

The Police programs are designed for currently certified Police Officers to expand their education in specialized areas. These programs consist of Tactical Response, School Shootings, High Risk Entry, and Taser Training. Please call 724-287-8711, ext. 8418 for additional information.

Fire, Rescue, and Hazardous Materials Education

Fire, Rescue, and Hazardous Materials training programs are designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s volunteer or career emergency responder. Classes are enriched through hands-on, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. State and National Fire Academy courses are available as well as specific courses designed for an individual department, or group. Courses from the Department of Health, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA Emergency Management Agency, and the Office of Domestic Preparedness. Please call 724-287-8711, ext. 8396 for additional information.

Business & Industry Safety Training Programs

The Business and Industry Safety Training Programs provides a variety of industrial and commercial training courses designed to satisfy the requirements of the regulatory agencies such as OSHA, DOT, and the EPA. Site specific safety training programs are also available to address areas of safety that are of particular interest to many organizations. These cost effective, quality safety and health training courses provide practical hands-on and classroom experiences for all participants. Contact 724-287-8711, ext. 8358.

High School Programming

Butler County Community College is pleased to provide high school students with a variety of opportunities that allow them to obtain college credits while they are still in high school. This can be done via College Within the High School and Dual Enrollment.

College Within the High School is a cooperative effort between BC3 and area school districts for academically accelerated high school juniors and seniors that allows them to take college courses right at their own high schools.

Dual Enrollment (DE) has been set up in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Dual Enrollment Grant Program. It permits school districts to partner with eligible postsecondary institutions such as BC3 and offers eligible high school juniors and seniors the chance to earn college credit while completing their high school requirements. DE allows high school students to concurrently enroll in a college course and receive both high school and college credit for that coursework. The DE grant helps cover students’ tuition, books, fees, and transportation.

Both of these programs allow students to earn highly transferable college credits through classes held at the high schools before, during, or after the regular school day. DE students may also take select courses at the College or online.

The benefits of both of these programs can be quite rewarding in terms of time and money. Earning college credits at community college prices and/or with the help of the DE program grant can save students and their families thousands of dollars in tuition, room, and board. Students who participate in College Within the High School or Dual Enrollment are better prepared to meet the rigors of their freshman year in college and enhance the possibility of their graduating from college within four years.

High school students wishing to participate in these programs are urged to contact their guidance office to see if their school is one of over forty Western Pennsylvania schools that are involved, or contact the High School Programming office directly at 724-287-8711, ext. 8254.

Kids on Campus

The Kids on Campus Program offers year round enrichment classes and learning opportunities for children. Our weekly summer enrichment program features unique educational classes for elementary and middle school students. Course offerings include instruction in: reading; writing; mathematics; study skills; robotics; applied, earth, natural, and physical sciences; languages (foreign and American Sign); computer skills; geography; history; creative writing; music; art; theater; cooking; crafts and other subjects of interest. The goal of the program is educational enrichment for children through hands-on activities that make learning fun! For more information or a current schedule, please call 724-284-8504

Nextier Bank Center for Economic Education at Butler County Community College

The Center is committed to offering quality teaching materials and professional development programs to elementary and secondary school teachers that will enable them to more effectively teach finance and economics.

The mission of the Center is to promote and encourage understanding of economic concepts through education in the K-12 classroom.

The goal is to ensure that young people develop an economic way of thinking that will help them make good decisions about managing their resources.

Program implementation is accomplished through staff development opportunities for teachers and curriculum specialists. Workshops and on-site consultations assist schools in developing an effective, interactive, and high-interest education plan that meets the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards in Economics.

Through the NexTier Bank Center for Economic Education, teachers receive professional training in economic content and effective teaching methods.

The Center works with its local schools and teachers to implement hands-on, real life curricula. The BC3 Center is an affiliate of Economics Pennsylvania and the National Council on Economic Education.

Praxis

Butler County Community College’s Education Department has designed a series of courses to prepare education majors for The Praxis Series™ Tests (teacher exams necessary for certification in 45 different states). Failure to pass the Praxis I™ PPST exams can result in delay of admission into a college of education. Failure to pass any required Praxis™ I or II exam can result in delay of state certification.

Butler County Community College offers both Praxis I™ and Praxis II™ prep courses in the traditional classroom setting as well as on the Internet. BC3 also offers both courses in a “non-credit, course-by-appointment” (CBA) fashion for repeat test takers. The CBA provides individual test review and preparation for some 25 different Praxis™ exams, including Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge, Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and a variety of secondary education content exams. BC3 also offers two-day workshops for the Praxis™ Spanish Content Knowledge Exam. Data collected over the years indicates that BC3’s Praxis™ prep courses significantly reduce test anxiety and 98% of Praxis I™ prep students go on to pass the exams. After completing the Praxis II™ prep course, repeat Praxis II™ test takers have improved their scores by as many as 20+ points. Students can call Tracy Hack at 724-287-8711, ext. 8201 or e-mail tracy.hack@bc3.edu.

Information Literacy

The College has adopted the following definition of information literacy and is seeking to incorporate it throughout its curricula. Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.”

Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning. An information literate individual is able to:

• Determine the nature and extent of information needed
• Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
• Evaluate information and its sources critically
• Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
• Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
• Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally; observe laws, regulations, and institutional policies related to the access and use of information.