Learning Communities
What is a Learning Community?
- Two or more classes linked together by a common theme or context are known as Learning Communities. For example, one learning community combines English 1A and Health Education 11, integrating reading, writing, and health concepts for students interested in knowing more about their physical well-being or a career in Allied Health.
- Assignments and activities in one class often relate to other classes in a learning community.
- The same students enroll in all classes within a learning community, fostering a sense of “community” among students and faculty.
Why should I participate in a Learning Community?
- Course content is relevant to students’ career or personal interests.
- Students meet others who share common goals.
- Faculty and students experience greater interaction.
- Significant numbers of students improve their retention.
Which Learning Community is right for me?
- First, know your assessment level and your educational goal. Some learning communities contain transfer-level courses with prerequisites. Other learning communities are designed for entry-level students, requiring no prerequisites. Each learning community's web page will provide this information.
- Second, consider your career or personal interests. Learning communities are categorized by subject matter, or program affiliation, and sometimes a career field. Knowing what you would like to study will help you decide which learning community is right for you.
- Third, review the times/days of all classes within the learning community. When you enroll in one class in a learning community, you are automatically enrolled in ALL classes in that community. Make sure your schedule accommodates each class within your chosen learning community.
How do I enroll?
- When you register for one class in a learning community, you will automatically be enrolled in ALL classes within the learning community.
- If you drop any class in the learning community, you will automatically be dropped from ALL classes within the learning community.
- For the Puente learning community, please call (408) 288-3798 if you are interested in enrolling in Puente courses.
- For the Pathways to Teaching learning community, please call (408) 794-1203 if you are interested in Pathways to Teaching courses.
- For the Umoja learning community, please call (408) 288-3125 or see the Umoja counselor in the Student Center room SC-216.
- For ALL OTHER learning community courses, please call (408) 288-3124.
Additional resources and support are made possible by the San José City College Metas Project, established by the U.S. Department of Education's Title V: Developing Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) program. The Title V: HSI Program provides grants to eligible Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education to expand their capacity to serve Latina/o and low-income students.
Services offered by Metas Project are open to all San José City College students. For more information about Metas or to schedule an appointment with an academic counselor, call
(408) 288-3125.