City: Baltimore, MD

Category: Education

Description: There are three community colleges in Baltimore County, each of which grew up separately, responding to the needs of their respective communities. Within the last few years, they have been bundled under the umbrella name and administration of a new entity, The Community Colleges of Baltimore County (CCBC). Through this act of centralization, Baltimore County hopes to be able to enhance offerings while reducing overall costs through reorganization. The three original schools that now serve as CCBC’s main campuses are at 800 South Rolling Rd., Catonsville, (410) 455-6050; 7200 Sollers Point Rd., Dundalk, (410) 282-6700; and 7201 Rossville Blvd., Essex, (410) 682-6000. The CCBC also offers classes through neighborhood centers in Owings Mills and Hunt Valley.Through all its campuses and centers, CCBC serves more than 70,000 students and offers 6,600 credit courses and 7,000 continuing education courses, including employee training courses that the county offers to employers in the area at more than 90 locations. Various certificates of completion are available for specific course offerings, but, overwhelmingly, students seek associate of arts degrees and transfer to a four-year institution. Associate degrees and certificates are offered in more than 100 programs in the arts and sciences, business administration, computer sciences, engineering, general studies, and teacher education. Certificate programs include such options as computer graphics and visual communications, printing management technology, environmental technology, chemical dependency counseling, retail floristry, and varied allied health programs. CCBC offers a student to teacher ratio of 17:1.