Community Education
BCC's Office of Community Education develops, coordinates, and implements noncredit initiatives. The division serves people of all ages whose educational and training needs cannot be met through traditional college-credit programs. Noncredit workshops and seminars are offered throughout the year both on- and off-campus.
Flexibility and close working relationships with community organizations, private industry and the public keep the division responsive to the needs and interests of the entire community. Sample programs are highlighted below.
Noncredit Instruction
These courses are offered at our West Street campus, Great Barrington (South County) campus, Downtown Intermodal Educational Center, and a number of off-site venues. Many courses are also offered over the Internet for students to take at home or at their place of business. A complete list of noncredit offerings is mailed to the public three times a year in BCC's spring, summer and fall semester schedule booklets. Senior citizens may register for most noncredit workshops at a 20% discount. For more information, click here or call 413-236-2127.
OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at BCC)
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Berkshire Community College provides stimulating and exciting adult learning experiences including:
- Noncredit courses in the arts, sciences, literature, and social sciences;
- Lectures and panel discussions highlighting contemporary and often provocative themes, and;
- Cultural and educational trips and events.
OLLI at BCC was formed in 2007 when the former Berkshire Institute for Lifetime Learning (BILL) joined with BCC in a formal affiliation agreement funded by a grant from The Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco. It is one of the 117 similar OLLIs located at colleges and universities across the nation.
As an OLLI, the organization has access to educational resources, ideas and advanced technologies that allow it to increase the number, variety and quality of its learning programs, and to more effectively reach other potential lifelong learners throughout the area.
In addition to BCC, OLLI's educational partners include Bard College at Simon's Rock, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Williams College. For more information, call 413-236-2190.
For the OLLI website click here.
Road Scholar (Formerly known as Elderhostel)
Thought-provoking, Community education also takes place through BCC's participation in the national Road Scholar program. The college offers about 8-10 programs each year at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pittsfield where more than 300 people from the United States and Canada enjoy a week of college-level courses, field trips, lively discussions, and stimulating company. Course topics include art, ecology, economics, history, literature, music, and much more.
Local residents over 55 are invited to "commute" at a fraction of the already reasonably priced tuition. For more information call 413-236-2127.
Youth Activities
Throughout the year we offer a number of opportunities for Youth - summer camps, golf and cooking classes -- just to name a few. Students can participate in many hands on experiences.
In addition to BCC, class locations include Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, IS183 Art School in Stockbridge, Canyon Ranch and Morris Elementary School in Lenox, Hancock Shaker Village in Hancock, and the Clark Art Institute and Williams College in Williamstown.
Community Education
Contact Us:
Intermodal Education Center (IMEC)
Voice: 413-236-2127.
Fax: (413) 496-9511
As a founding member of the Berkshire Applied Technology Council (BATC), a collaborative of regional employers and educators, BCC plays a crucial role in helping the council to deliver an integrated system for technical learning in the Berkshires.
The educational core of the BATC is a "2 + 2 + 2" program known as TechPath and administered by BCC. Designed for both students and incumbent workers, the program consists of mathematics and science curricula coupled with specialized training and industry applications.
The complete program, which results in a bachelor's degree, includes the junior and senior years of high school, two years of community college, and two years at a private or public college or university. Participants may enter or leave the program at any point. BCC offers a wide range of noncredit learning opportunities for people of all ages. Designed for self-improvement, vocational or recreational purposes, these initiatives are offered on-campus, throughout the county, and beyond.
For more information, call 413-236-2125.
The primary beneficiaries of BATC and the council's other programs include:
- Students and incumbent workers who develop the necessary skills for a high-tech career;
- Employers who are able to tap a larger pool of qualified job applicants; and
- The region as a whole as its reputation for business development and a center for technical excellence continues to grow.
Microsoft® Certified Application Specialist
BCC is also an authorized testing center for the internationally recognized Microsoft® Certified Application Specialist certification. Incumbent workers and students who already know the advanced features of various Microsoft® Office business programs (i.e., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) may simply make an appointment with the Assessment and Testing Center (Ext. 1655 or 1656) to take the relevant exams based on their existing knowledge. Those who need to learn the advanced features, may do so through BCC's 27-credit certificate or 60-credit Associate degree programs in Business Software System (see pages 55 and 56). For more information, call 413-236-4640.
Kids Act
In collaboration with Barrington Stage Company, KidsAct! is an acclaimed musical theater program for children ages 8 to 17. Theater professionals work with students on improvisational skills, theater games, character studies, monologue and scene work, movement, stage combat, mask and mime, and vocal training. Designed to develop acting skills, as well as self-esteem, and to awaken each child's creativity, the program concludes with a performance of an original musical conceived, written and performed by the students.
WKS-1125-E1 15 meetings, Mon-Fri, 8/3-8/21, 9am-3pm
Location: Koussevitszky Arts Center, Room 111
Instructor: Barrington Stage Company, Staff
Cost: $500 .
