General Statement
A major function of the community college is to serve a broad segment of the community within Southwestern Fairfield County through continuing education, workforce training and community service programs. Norwalk Community College achieves this goal through offering credit and non-credit courses (traditional classroom and online) and certificate programs for business and industry workforce training, business and professional development, along with lifestyle courses to meet the needs and interests of citizens of all ages. See our catalogs for course information.
Business & Industry Workforce Development
Workforce Development classes offer employers and business associations customized training services by understanding their employees’ needs, designing a curriculum, and delivering the required instruction.
This service provides rapid, on-demand, solutions to workplace training needs. Some of the many course subjects include business writing and math, customer service, information and industrial technologies, performance management, safe food handling and preparation, computer security, operating and growing small businesses, etc.
Employers have the option of scheduling classes at their place of business or on campus on days/times convenient to their employees’ schedules. Skill building is emphasized through practical exercises and interactive workshops geared toward adult learners. All instructors have extensive experience in business, industry and/or the public sector, to assure that the curriculum is relevant and practical.
Professional Development and Health Care Programs
A variety of courses are offered each semester, for example, introductory to advanced computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, database techniques, networking, computer repair and graphics are. Other courses include Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Bookkeeping Certificate, Non-Profit Management Certificate, Physical Security Studies Certificate, Legal Secretary Certificate. Allied Health programs include Medical Billing and Reimbursement Specialist, Certified Nurse Aide, EKG, and Phlebotomy, Dental, Pharmacy, Central Sterile Processing, Patient Care Technician and Veterinary Assistant. The instructors are highly trained and experienced practicing professionals and all course content is practical and applicable to real business situations. Tuition for non-credit courses is very affordable.
Many courses in career planning and skill retraining are designed for individuals experiencing career transitions or displacement. Non‑credit certificates programs allow people who are interested in considering a new career path enhance their knowledge base to earn a certificate of completion in a short period of time, thereby giving them new marketable skills to keep current with our rapidly changing economy.
Real Estate Classes
The real estate courses and seminars are designed to meet the needs of individuals interested in a career in real estate and for current Realtors to maintain their license. Courses include but are not limited to Real Estate Principles & Practices and Real Estate Appraisal. Continuing Education Seminars are available for salespeople, appraisers and brokers to fulfill their continuing education requirement. All of the courses and seminars meet the educational requirements set forth by the State Real Estate and Appraisal Commission.
Personal Enrichment
Personal enrichment courses are available to individuals to discover or continue to pursue their interests and passions. Topics are wide and varied and instructors are practicing professionals who deliver the finest and latest information and utilize the latest teaching techniques. Investment and personal financial planning classes are available for individuals interested in taking control of their financial lives. Master gardeners teach gardening, and professional designers facilitate the landscaping and interior design courses. The art and photography instructors introduce students to new techniques to develop their artwork. Wellness courses include yoga and tai chi, and boating courses prepare students to obtain their CT Boating License. These are just an example of the many interesting courses available to enjoy.
College for Kids
College for Kids offers stimulating classes for youth entering grades 1 12. Instructors are knowledgeable and enthusiastic experienced in teaching youth. The creative enrichment programs spark the curiosity of our youth. College for Kids includes a wide variety of courses including computer science, chess, art, science, languages, engineering, math and culinary classes. College for Kids classes take place on Saturday throughout the Fall and Spring; approximately 65 week‑long classes take place in the summer.
Lifetime Learners Institute
Based at Norwalk Community College, Lifetime Learners Institute (LLI) is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and facilitate the joy of lifelong learning, personal growth and social connections for adults 50 and over. The membership is drawn mainly from Fairfield and Westchester Counties. The organization is run primarily by volunteers.
Every spring, summer, fall and winter, LLI presents non-credit courses in a wide variety of subjects, including history, current affairs, literature, humanities, art, music, science, nature, theater and film. Courses typically run six- to-eight weeks in the fall and spring terms and four-to-five weeks in the summer and winter terms. The college classroom environment provides an opportunity to engage individuals with similar interests and to foster new friendships. In addition, each Friday during the spring, fall and winter terms, LLI presents its Brown Bag Lunch & Learn series, which includes a social hour followed by a presentation on a topic of interest.
English as a Second Language (Non-Credit)
This program is designed for students whose native language is not English. These non-native speakers are taught the basics of speaking and listening, and reading and writing English with a focus on academic writing. This program consists of six different levels of proficiency offered at various times throughout the day and evening, weekdays and Saturdays, during the fall, spring and summer.
The classes help adult students learn English for work, family needs, and college courses. Students from approximately 60 different countries participate in the ESL program. A placement test is given upon application. Classes are held in Norwalk.
NCC also offers credit-bearing ESL classes to prepare students for English Composition and other college-level coursework. For more information or visit the ESL website.
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