Open Entry is an alternative delivery methodology which allows students to sign up for credited, college classes throughout the year without the boundaries of semesters or the traditional school year. Students receive start and end dates and work at their own pace on coursework.

Originally started at the Maricopa Community College District around 1984, Open Entry classes have become a popular way for students to earn college credit in a variety of disciplines including computer application coursework in the BPC, CIS and OAS areas. Students sign up for one class at a time and as soon as they complete that class, they can sign up for their next class.

The first step to success in Open Entry in the MCC Business Department is to attend an orientation either in person or online --http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d07/coursework/openentry/OE_orientation/OE_orientation_for_internet_files/v3_document.htm.

Students are provided with information on how Open Entry classes work, instructor and lab assistant help, as well as access to their course guide and lab guide. Students may work in any of the three MCC labs, at home, office or anywhere they have access to a computer, Internet access and the appropriate software for the class they are taking.

Mesa Community College has three instructional computer labs where students can work on Open Entry classes and receive assistance. These labs are located at Dobson and Southern Campus in BA1S, Red Mountain Campus in the Library/High Tech Center, and at Country Club and Brown on the third floor.

Currently, we offer credited college coursework in Microsoft Office applications, Windows, Accounting, Keyboarding, and 10-Key. By Fall 2002, Open Entry will offer coursework in Windows 2000 and Office XP. All Open Entry coursework using Microsoft Office is designed to prepare students for MOUS (Microsoft Office User Specialist) certification. The MCC Business Department is please to announce their acceptance as a Microsoft Office User Specialist testing facility. We are currently piloting the testing facility and by fall students who are proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access will be able to test for their certifications at our Dobson lab.

For more information on Open Entry classes, please visit our website @ http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d07/openentry/ or contact Linda Collins, Open Entry Coordinator at linda.collins@mcmail.maricopa.edu.