June 16, 2008

For recent Chandler-Gilbert Community College graduate Whitney Semmens, 20, completing her bachelor’s degree in four years is a priority.

“I don’t want to take five or six years to complete my degree,” Semmens said. “It just ends up costing more and I’m anxious to enter my field of study.”

Semmens, a speech pathology major, is on track with her goal and completed her freshman and sophomore year at CGCC in four semesters.

“Because I work part-time, I needed the flexibility of being able to fit classes around my schedule,” Semmens said. “I was able to take some classes on campus and some online and it worked out really well. More importantly, I didn’t feel out of touch with my online classes– my professors were available to answer questions when I needed them. ”

Students unable to attend traditional college classes on campus now have more choices than ever at CGCC. Every semester the college offers numerous e-learning and self-paced courses delivered in a variety of methods.

“We realize that there are many students who aren’t able to make it to campus to take classes. Offering online classes helps many of these students achieve educational goals that may otherwise not be possible,” Cain said. “Many required classes such as English, math, communications, and more are now available in an e-learning format at CGCC.”

Cain says that e-learning formats include distance learning in which students can take CGCC classes from the comfort of their own home through their personal computer; hybrid format classes, in which a portion of the class is taught face-to-face on campus and the other portion takes place online; and self-paced classes in which students can complete course work at home on their personal computer or in the CGCC Computer Lab at their own pace.

E-learning and self-paced courses offered this fall at CGCC include English, math, science, accounting, public speaking, intercultural communications, economics, reading, nutrition, health care, business, computing, psychology, religious studies, philosophy, and Spanish, to name a few.

Summer classes begin June 2 and fall classes begin August 25. For more information or to register for classes at CGCC, access www.cgc.edu or call (480) 732-7317.

CGCC has two comprehensive campuses – the Pecos Campus is located at Gilbert and the Loop 202 in Chandler, and the Williams Campus is located southeast of Power Road and the Loop 202 in Mesa.

For more information or to register for classes, call (480) 732-7317.