Career Prep Programs

Students must be rising twelfth (12th) graders to be eligible to apply. Applicants for this program shall have no less than a 3.2 GPA and an attendance rate of 95% or better. Students in this program will follow the Mercer County Community College calendar and are expected to attend classes per stated requirements.

Students enrolled in our Academy and Shared-Time Programs are not eligible to apply for the Career Prep Program.

All courses and times are subject to change by MCCC.

Most classes take place on the Mercer County Community College West Windsor campus, except Fashion/Apparel Design, Fashion Merchandising (Kerney Campus), and Fire Science (Dempster Fire Center). They will be treated as typical college students, and – once enrolled in the program – will need to establish a “MyMercer” account, and communicate directly with MCCC for all matters related to schedule, classes, homework, and grades.

For information on the admissions requirements and procedures, please click here to view our admissions procedures.

To apply for admission to the Career Prep Programs, click here.

Career Prep Information PowerPoint

Career Prep Flyer (PDF)

Advertising And Design

The Advertising and Design program prepares students for positions as designers, graphic communicators, and assistant art directors. These positions are most often found in advertising agencies, design firms, corporate communication departments, interactive multimedia studios, and the television industry. It also prepares students for advanced studies in graphic design, advertising design, web design, or visual communication.

12 Credits

Aviation

This program gives students a strong foundation in the aviation profession, including history, terminology, and current trends in the industry. Students will be prepared to apply technical knowledge and skills to the flying and/or navigation of various aircraft, as well as technical knowledge of different facets of the industry. Content areas include Principles of Flight, Aircraft Design, Navigation and Communication, Weather and Environmental Science, Airway Safety, Flight Crew Operations, and the Impact of the Aerospace Age. By continuing this program, costs could range from $24,000 to $36,000.

12 Credits

Business Studies

Communication

The Communication program prepares students to transfer into a baccalaureate degree program. Designed to explore both theory and the development of practical skills, the core curriculum includes courses in oral communication, mass media, and media ethics. The General Communication concentration is designed to provide experience in a variety of areas associated with communication careers. Students then select from one of four concentrations to complete their degree.

12 Credits

Criminal Justice

This program is designed for students interested in a career in the field of law enforcement or those preparing for advanced study in law, criminology, social welfare, or criminal justice.

12 Credits

Culinary & Pastry Arts

Dance

This program offers an intensive study of jazz, ballet, and modern technique. Students also receive training in choreography and perform in student-driven projects as well as the Mercer Dance Ensemble (MDE), Mercer County’s own dance company.

12 Credits

Digital Film

Digital Film prepares students to create, interpret, and analyze visual language through the study of aesthetic and technical concepts applied in the making and producing of films. Students learn all aspects of digital film including directing, producing, editing, cinematography, and screenwriting.

12 Credits

Exercise Science

This program provides the opportunity for students to acquire the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to enter the continually evolving field of exercise science and to transfer into related baccalaureate programs.

12 Credits

Fashion/Apparel Design

Kerney Campus

The Fashion/Apparel Design program is highly interdisciplinary, providing a strong foundation in art, design, and technical studies while developing a perspective on both the creative and business aspects of the industry. The program also prepares students for advanced studies at four-year colleges by paralleling the first two years of studies.

requirements at several institutions. While the design sequence emphasizes core creative art skills, technical training focuses on computer applications used in the industry and sewing labs structured to mirror those of current fashion/ apparel studios.

12 Credits

Fashion Merchandising

Kerney Campus

The Fashion Merchandising program prepares students for careers in fashion/apparel sales, marketing, buying, and merchandising. The program also prepares students for advanced study in business or marketing in a fashion/apparel-related program. The MCCC Fashion Merchandising curriculum parallels the first two years of education at a majority of undergraduate universities and art colleges, with an emphasis on career training for gainful employment.

12 Credits

Fire Science Technology

Dempster Fire Training Center

This program provides students with skills and knowledge to become candidates for entry and/or advancement as professional and volunteer fire personnel.

12 Credits

Gaming

The gaming program prepares students for careers in the video game software industry, a relatively new and rapidly expanding industry. The New York City / northern New Jersey metro region is one of the ten largest in the country for video game design and development. Game Design is a highly interdisciplinary field drawing from a number of diverse areas, such as art, writing, sound design, sociology, anthropology, computer technology, and programming. The computer is the primary tool of expression in the program; however, emphasis is placed on the development of creative thinking as well as art and design skills.

12 Credits

Hospitality Management

Information Technology

This program prepares students for work in the Information Technology field. Students may pursue entry-level jobs such as network technician, network administrator, help desk specialist, customer service representative, and/or any computer support specialist position.

12 Credits

Music Technology

The Entertainment Technology program prepares students for careers in the entertainment industry. The Music Technology concentration integrates music theory and performance with a comprehensive array of technical and business skills that enable the graduate to pursue a variety of career tracks in the music industry, such as record producer, recording engineer, remix engineer, and sound technician for live shows and concerts, as well as careers in the field of film scoring and film music editing.

12 Credits

New Media And Journalism

The New Media program prepares students for the rapidly developing field that combines traditional media such as photography, film, music, and spoken and written word with the interactive power of computer and communications technology. Students who have traditionally pursued courses of study in journalism, public relations, advertising, and communications will find that this program substantially prepares them to enter the workforce or transfer to communications programs at four-year universities.

12 Credits

Photography

The Photography and Digital Imaging program provides graduates with entry-level employment skills in the rapidly changing professional photography field. The program includes foundation courses in basic photography, digital photography, digital imaging, and studio and documentary photography.

12 Credits

Pre-Engineering

This program offers students the opportunity to study pre-engineering as it relates to structural and civil engineering skills. All students must have taken High School Physics to be accepted into the program.

13 Credits

Radio And Television Production

This program provides practical hands-on work with state-of-the-art production studio equipment. In addition, the program emphasizes and develops communication skills.

12 Credits

Technical Theater

The Entertainment Technology program prepares students for careers in the entertainment industry. The Technical Theatre concentration prepares graduates for careers as lighting and sound technicians, technical managers, equipment marketing representatives, and technical personnel for distributors and rental houses.

12 Credits

Theatre

The theatre program combines intensive classroom study and performance to challenge the serious student who aspires to a career in the entertainment industry.

12 Credits

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts program provides students with an understanding of the arts of both western and non-western societies, including so-called primitive cultures. There is an emphasis on drawing, painting, and printmaking courses to develop student's technical skills and personal expression and provide a deeper knowledge and appreciation of art history.

12 Credits