Butler County Community College (Pennsylvania)

Butler County Community College
Motto	"The Smart Place to Start"
Established	1965
Type	Community College
President	Dr. Nicholas C. Neupauer
Academic staff	309
Students	1,967 full time 1,689 part time
Location	Butler Township, Pennsylvania, United States
Campus	323 acres (1.31 km2)
Colors	Navy Blue and White
Nickname	BC3
Mascot	Pioneers
Affiliations	Butler County Vo-Tech./Butler School District
Website	www.bc3.edu

Butler County Community College (often referred to as BC3) is located in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, United States. Its motto is "The Smart Place to Start," referring to the large number of students who attend two years before transferring to other colleges.

The college also offers courses in Cranberry Township, as well as in Armstrong, Mercer, and Lawrence counties. More recently the college has begun to offer online classes. BC3 is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Over 100,000 students have attended.

Locations

• BC3 Main Campus - Butler, PA (Butler County)
• BC3 @ Cranberry - Cranberry Township, PA. (Butler County)
• BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing - New Castle, PA (Lawrence County)
• BC3 @ Linden Pointe - Hermitage, PA (Mercer County)
• BC3 @ Upper Allegheny - DuBois, PA (Jefferson County) - Main Satellite Location (There are additional branch satellite locations for Upper Allegheny)

Students are able to take courses at multiple campuses if convenient. The 2011 spring semester is the first semester that the Upper Allegheny campus(es) offered courses.

Academic Programs

Business

   * Accounting, A.A.S.
   * Accounting Skills, Certificate
   * Business Administration, A.S.
   * Business Management, A.A.S.
   * Business Skills, Certificate
   * Computer Information Systems
         o Computer Forensics & Security, A.A.S
         o Computer Support Specialist, A.A.S.
         o Network Administration, A.A.S.
         o Programming Specialist, A.A.S.
         o Web Programming Specialist, A.A.S.
   * Hospitality Management, A.A.S.
   * Hospitality Management, Certificate
   * Hospitality Management
         o Dietary Manager Option, A.A.S.
         o Meeting and Event Management Option, A.A.S.
         o Culinary Arts, Certificate
   * Human Resource Management, A.A.S.
   * Human Resource Management Specialist, Certificate
   * Management of Applied Technology, Certificate
   * Marketing Management, A.A.S.
   * Marketing Management, Certificate
   * Medical Coding Specialist, Certificate
   * Office Administration
         o Executive, A.A.S.
         o Legal, A.A.S.
         o Medical, A.A.S.
         o Software Application Specialist, Certificate
   * Technical Trades
         o Cosmetology Management Option, A.A.S.
   * Recreation Tourism, A.A.S.

Nursing & Allied Health Programs

   * Massage Therapy, Certificate
   * Medical Assistant, A.A.S.
   * Medical Assistant, Certificate
   * Nursing, R.N., A.A.S.
   * Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.
   * Technical Trades
         o Massage Therapy Management Option
   * Technical Trades
         o Radiologic Technology

Humanities & Social Sciences

   * Child Development Education, A.A.S.
   * Communications, A.A.
   * Creative Digital Communication, A.A.S.
   * Criminology, A.A.
   * Early Childhood Education (Pre K - 4), A.A.
   * Emergency Services
         o Corrections Option, Certificate
         o EMS Option, A.A.S.
         o Fire Services Option, Certificate
         o Police Services Option, A.A.S.
   * English, A.A.
   * Fine Arts, A.A.
   * General Studies/General, A.A.
   * Graphic Design, A.A.S.

   * Park and Recreational Management
         o General Option, A.A.S.
         o Park Law Enforcement Option, A.A.S.
   * Physical Education
         o Exercise Science Option, A.S.
         o Sport Management Option, A.S.
   * Psychology, A.A.
   * Secondary Education
         o English Concentration
         o Physical Education Concentration
         o Social Sciences Concentration
   * Social Work, A.A. 

Science & Technology Programs

   * Architectural Design and Drafting with CADD, A.A.S.
   * Biological Science, A.S.
   * Chemistry, A.S.
   * Civil Technology, A.A.S.
   * CNC Programming Technology, Certificate
   * Computer Aided Drafting Technologies, A.A.S.
   * Computer Aided Machining Technology, A.A.S.
   * Electronics Technology, A.A.S.
   * Engineering, A.S.
   * Machine Drafting and Design with CADD, A.A.S.
   * Machine Tool Technology, Certificate
   * Manufacturing with Advanced Technology, A.A.S.
   * Mathematics, A.S.
   * Metrology/Precision Measurement Technology, A.A.S.
   * Nanofabrication Technology, A.A.S.
   * Nanofabrication Technology Specialization
   * Robotics Technology, A.A.S.
   * Technical Trades
         o HVAC Option

BC3 is a very favorable option for students to start their college course-load, while in high school or post graduation. The cost of attendance is reasonable (and a wide variety of programs are offered, allowing many students to complete their first 4 semesters of college coursework at BC3. Total cost per course credit (Tuition + Fees) is reasonable because of how the education is funded. For instance, Butler County residents pay fees, plus one-third of the tuition, Butler County pays the second third of the tuition fee and finally the state of Pennsylvania pays the final third of the tuition fee. Likewise, out of county residents pay fees plus two-thirds of the total tuition cost, and the state picks up the final third of tuition cost. Finally, out of state or international students pay fees plus the full tuition cost, still a low dollar amount for two years attendance in comparison to what a student would pay at a 4-year institution over a 2-year period. Fees vary from student to student based on degree program and courses studied.

Notable alumni

• Timothy L. Pesci (A.S. 1972) - Pennsylvania State Representative 1989-2000
• David Paras (2008-2011) - Jack of all trades (Magician, Businessman, Comedian, Personal Trainer, Motivational Speaker, Catechist)

External links

• Butler County Community College official website