Flexibility

Open entry courses are designed to offer you flexibility with regard to when you start and end your courses. These courses do not follow the structured lecture-style classroom format that begins in the fall, spring, winter, or summer semesters. With open entry courses, you may begin a course any weekday from the first day of the fall semester (usually the last week of August) to the first day of the last summer session (around July 4). You would complete your course in the Office Technology Classroom either on campus, which is staffed during operating hours with Microsoft-certified instructors; at your home; or at another location outside of the college.

You may complete an open entry course as quickly as you are able to do the work. An important reminder: Even if you complete the course in fewer weeks than the length of a "normal college semester," the established course completion date of 14 weeks from your registration date is firm and final. For example, if you register for a course on October 1, you have 14 weeks from that date to complete the course. If you register for a course on March 15, you have 14 weeks from that date to complete the course. Please note:  The school year ends on the last day of the Summer 3 semester (around August 7). For students registering after the first week of May, fewer and fewer weeks are available in which to complete a course. No courses may be continued after the last day of Summer 3. 

Advantages

There are many advantages to taking a course in the open entry format:

• Flexible entry dates throughout the year.  If you are unable to start a course at the beginning of a traditional semester, you may start later.
• Certified instructors.  Most people want or need some kind of instruction while taking a class. Instructors certified in Microsoft software are there to help you one-on-one any time the Office Technology Classroom is open.
• You aren’t in competition with other students. You don’t have to raise your hand and ask a question in front of an entire class. When you need help, you just raise your hand and an instructor will come over and assist you.

Credit or Audit

Open entry courses are offered in the areas of Office Technology and Computer Systems for credit or no credit (audit status). You may use these credits toward a letter of recognition, one-year certificate, or two-year degree. 

Office Technology

Welcome to the Office Technology Department. If you would like to speak to someone about courses or careers in office technology, please call us at 443-518-4876 or stop by the Office Technology Classroom in Room DH-301.

Please note the changes that will occur in the open entry courses offered in the Office Technology classroom:

Fall 2007 Semester

• All students in open entry courses must complete their coursework on or before December 7 at noon.
• Students may register for open entry courses through October 8 and must complete their coursework on or before December 7, giving students nine weeks to complete their work.

Winter 2008 Semester

• The Office Technology classroom will be closed.

Spring 2008 Semester

• Open entry courses resume.  Microsoft Office 2007 will be used for computer application courses.