Students are flocking online to take advantage of an expanded line-up of courses offered at Houston

Community College Southwest. With the new credit and continuing education offerings, learners can

seamlessly continue their academic plans – all from the comfort of home.

 

Today, nearly all of HCC courses are online. Digital applications such as Microsoft Teams and Cisco

Webex have become effective tools to maintain quality education and facilitate collaboration at the

college.

 

The virtual courses cover disciplines including advanced manufacturing, information technology, digital

communication, visual and performing arts, business, health sciences and more. Both credit and

continuing education classes are available.

 

“These online classes offer students the pathways to many rewarding professions that are vital to our

economy today,” said Matias Garza, dean of Student Success at HCC Southwest. “You may have

someone who is employed but may be underskilled or underemployed and looking for a change. We’ve

found that most people can’t just stop working completely and go to school full-time, and we have

courses that they can take part-time.”

 

Students can choose from a wide array of classes to get a head start on their careers. There’s cybersecurity

classes in computer system forensics, firewalls and network security, and intrusion detection that can lead

to jobs as an information security analyst, security engineer and cybercrime investigator.

 

There are also Digital Gaming & Simulation classes in game programming, design and creation of games,

3D game modeling and perspective drawing that can lead to jobs as game programmers, multimedia

artists and animators. Or students can enroll in our drone technology class to become a drone pilot, drone

operator, unmanned aerial vehicle operator and more.

 

Get an edge on your job prospects by enrolling in an operation of computer numerical controls (CNC)

turning centers class to become a CNC operator, CNC machinist, CNC programmer or field service

mechanic. Or enroll in an introduction to industrial maintenance class to become an industrial

maintenance mechanic, industrial project maintenance specialist, industrial maintenance technician, and

other advanced manufacturing jobs.

 

In addition, HCC continues our “Change Your Life for $20” campaign allowing eligible students to

pursue a certificate, paying only a $20 application processing fee.

 

We continue looking for opportunities to make our programs more assessable to the community. In May,

the HCC Board of Trustees approved a waiver of the Distance Education processing fee for students who

register for summer online classes.

 

The college is offering a free series of online Digital Living classes to teach basic technologies to older

adults to help them navigate the cyber world we live in today. Classes cover topics including social media

and online safety, smartphone use; how to sell products on Amazon, and using online tools such as Zoom

and FaceTime to connect with family and friends while staying at home.

 

To register for the free Digital Living classes, visit

bit.ly/3enMcLh or call 713.718.5350.

 

To enroll in the Advanced Manufacturing or Digital and Information Technology classes, visit

hccs.edu/apply or call 713.718.2000 or 713.718.2277.