Maui Community College

Educational options > on Maui
Maui County is a rural, tri-isle county served by Maui Community College and a limited number of trade schools (massage, esthetican).

Maui Community College:
Maui Community College (MCC) is Maui's only publically-supported institution, and one of seven community colleges and three universities in the University of Hawai‘i System. The college was established in 1967 to provide Maui County residents with two-year transfer degrees, assorted career and technical degrees and certificates, and year-round non-credit or skills-upgrading courses. In 2007, MCC became UH's only community college to offer an accredited 4-year degree, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Business and Information Technology (ABIT).

Its credit and non-credit programs, as well as the University of Hawai‘i Center, Maui are located on its main campus in Kahului. In addition, MCC has Education Centers in Hana, Kihei, and Lahaina, and on Moloka‘i and Lana‘i. The Ed Centers use distance learning technologies and in-person instruction to deliver college courses from MCC and other UH system campuses to residents in these outlaying areas.

Credit program:
MCC offers an affordable, convenient way for residents to begin their college careers. Its credit program is accredited and degree-granting and enrolls about 3,000 students each semster.

The Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and the Associate of Science degrees in Nursing, Human Services, and Electronic Computer Engineering Technology provide the general education requirements of the freshman and sophomore years of a four-year degree. Students can transfer into other colleges and universities.

MCC's career and technical programs provide long- and short-term training in a number of areas: Accounting, Administration of Justice, Agiculture and Natural Resources, Allied Health (Nursing, Dental Assistant, Nurse Aide, etc.) Automotive Technology, Auto Body Repair and Painting, Business Careers, Business Technology, Construction Technology (Building Maintenance, Carpentry, Drafting/Welding, Sustainable Technology), Electronic Computer Engineering Technology, Hospitality & Tourism, Fashion Technology, Culinary Arts, and Human Services.

Courses are taught during day, evening, and weekend hours using a variety of delivery methods. Classes may be taken on campus, by cable TV, or through the Internet. Students can even earn an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts entirely through distance learning through the UH Community College’s e-Learn program.

Financial aid is available to classified, degree-seeking students in the form of grants, low-interest student loans, and federal work-study programs.

MCC's First 4-year degree> ABIT
MCC's Bachelor of Applied Business and Information Technology (ABIT), is the first 4-year degree to be offered by a community college in the state of Hawai`i. The degree combines business and information technology and is designed to enable graduates to develop and/or manage small- to mid-sized companies, work in management and technology positions, or enter graduate school.

The degree is a 2+2 track that builds upon the Liberal Arts or Business Careers Option III degree with the junior and senior years of the ABIT program.

Non-credit program:
MCC's non-credit VITEC courses are many and varied. They include skill upgrading, leisure, personal enrichment, and computer classes; industry-certified training and special institutes; as well as customized contract training for business and industry. Each year the program enrolls over 8,000 students.

Courses are short-term and convenient. Students do not earn degrees or college credits; however, they can earn certificates of completion in select courses. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards advanced training through special institutes and industry-certified training.

Because they are self-supporting, there is no financial aid available for these courses. Costs are paid by the student; however, in some cases, employers or agencies have educational reimbursement programs for select courses (ask your employer). Call 984-3231 or visit their website at ocet.org.

The University of Hawai‘i Center, Maui:
The University of Hawai‘i Center, Maui, located in the Laulima Building at MCC, coordinates the delivery of select bachelor’s and graduate degrees from the Universities of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Hilo, and West Oahu. The program offers the junior and senior levels of select four-year degrees and a limited number of graduate programs. Courses are delivered through a variety of distance learning technologies and on-site instruction enabling Maui County students to earn advanced degrees without leaving the island. Call 984-3525 or visit their website at www.umaui.net.

Other Maui educational options
There are also a number of vocational schools on Maui that offer beauty, massage, fitness, real estate, and tax preparation training, among others. There is no federal financial aid programs currently available for these programs, however many offer loan financing options.