Brightpoint Community College: Flexible Summer Class Options for Every Student

Brightpoint Community College is committed to student success by offering diverse registration and class format options to meet individual needs. Whether you're a recent high school graduate, a working professional, or balancing family responsibilities, Brightpoint provides pathways to achieve your educational goals. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, Brightpoint served more than 11,400 students during the 2021-22 academic year.

Planning Ahead: New Registration Options

Brightpoint Community College understands that many students juggle education with family and job responsibilities. To accommodate these demands, Brightpoint offers new registration options that allow students to plan their academic journey in advance. This ensures students can stay on track with their education and create schedules that seamlessly integrate into their lives. Moreover, students who register for classes early do not need to pay for all courses upfront, easing the financial burden.

Accelerated Learning: 7-Week Sessions

Brightpoint introduces 7-Week Sessions to allow students to concentrate on a smaller number of courses at a time, while still achieving full-time student status. During the fall and spring semesters, two 7-Week Sessions are available, offering a wide array of courses. By taking at least two classes during each 7-Week Session, students can attain full-time status if their combined credit hours for both sessions total 12 or more. Beginning in 2023, Brightpoint students can complete certain programs by taking 7-week session courses. The 7-week sessions allow students whose schedules prevent them from taking more than two or three classes at a time to complete their programs of study more quickly.

For instance, during the fall and spring semesters, if you enroll in two 3-credit classes for the first 7 weeks and two 3-credit classes for the second 7 weeks, you will be taking 12 credits for that semester and will be considered a fulltime student.

Understanding 7-Week Class Formats

7-week courses at Brightpoint will be scheduled as either asynchronous or hybrid sections. However, it is important to note that the amount of material covered and instruction time required in a 7-week class is the same as in a 15-week class, and that the learning outcomes are identical.

Asynchronous Classes: These classes have no scheduled Zoom or on-campus meetings. Students access course material using Canvas, with content available on or before the first day of the class session. Reliable internet access is required to complete course activities and assignments.
Hybrid Classes: Hybrid classes require in-person meetings at either the Chester or Midlothian campus or synchronously on Zoom on specified days and times. Due to shortened in-person meetings, students must complete required asynchronous online activities by published weekly deadlines. Regular weekly assignments with established due dates are provided in Canvas.

The typical schedule for a student who wishes to be enrolled full time during the fall or spring semesters would be two classes during the first 7-weeks and two classes during the second 7-weeks.

Flexible Learning: Adapting to Your Needs

Brightpoint is dedicated to providing maximum flexibility through updated class formats. In addition to traditional on-campus, fully online (virtual), and hybrid options (a blend of different class formats), Brightpoint's schedule now includes Flex options.

Flex Courses: Flex courses offer unparalleled adaptability, allowing students to switch between attending class on campus, via Zoom, or by completing weekly assignments virtually throughout the semester.

Accelerate Your Degree: The Brightpoint Accelerate Pathway

The Brightpoint Accelerate pathway is a specialized program designed to help new students earn specific degrees in just two years by focusing on one class at a time. In this program, cohorts of students progress together through highly engaging and interactive online classes lasting 5 - 7 weeks.

Course Modalities: Choosing the Right Fit

To help students integrate college into their busy schedules, Brightpoint offers a variety of course formats, also known as course modalities. Complete a class in one month, all online. When reviewing the schedules, look at the course section numbers and notes for important information on how a class will be taught.

Class formats include:

Read also: Your Future at Brightpoint

On-Campus: Traditional in-person classes held at Brightpoint's Chester or Midlothian campuses.
Online (Virtual): Fully online courses with no required on-campus meetings.
Zoom: Classes conducted online via Zoom during scheduled days and times.
Hybrid: A combination of online and on-campus instruction.

Registration and Important Dates

Registration for Brightpoint’s Summer, Fall and Spring classes is underway. Current Brightpoint students may register online through the myBrightpoint portal.

Understanding Registration

Registration involves reserving a space in the class(es) selected and paying tuition. Students may drop a course with a full refund only during the first 15 percent of the course. Drop w/refund dates are published in the academic calendar and in course syllabi.

Students who never attend a class or have a last date of attendance for the course prior to the drop date will be administratively removed from the course. The student will receive a grade of “W” for withdrawal. After the deadline to withdraw, the student will receive the grade earned at the end of the course. (In the case of mitigating circumstances documented by the instructor and approved by the dean, a grade of “W” may be awarded after the 60% deadline.)

Administrative withdrawals may be initiated by an instructor in the event of excessive absences on the part of the student. Students should refer to the syllabus. In addition, an instructor may recommend withdrawal if it is believed a student is experiencing undue academic difficulty.

Students on financial aid are strongly encouraged to meet with a financial aid counselor before withdrawing from any class, as it may result in significant financial burden on the student. It is the student’s responsibility to understand the consequences for not withdrawing.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

Students are responsible for reviewing final course grades in their myBrightpoint account at the end of the academic term.

Credit Load

The maximum full-time student load is 18 credits in the fall and spring semesters and 13 credits in the summer semester. The maximum number of credits a student may take within each separate session depends on the session length. Within any one semester, students may enroll in courses across multiple sessions. However, the total number of credits taken across all sessions must not exceed the semester maximum student load.

Passport and Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS)

Passport and Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) courses are transferable and satisfy lower-division general education requirements at public institutions of higher education in Virginia. The Passport and UCGS offer a large number of courses to optimize the student’s educational experience while also preparing for their program of study.

Student Success Stories

Brightpoint Community College has a proven track record of fostering student success.

Aneeza Khan: Enrolled at Brightpoint with the long-term goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). As a student, she has achieved academic success, learned real-world skills for her career, and built a strong community. And after giving back to the college through volunteering and leading numerous student organizations, in May 2025, she earned a surprise title: Trailblazer of the Year.
Barbara Aceves: Felt certain about the future she wanted: a career in computer science. But she didn’t know if she could manage her course load with a full-time job and two children to raise. After learning about Brightpoint’s flexible course options and guaranteed admissions agreements, she stopped asking if a new career was possible, and began believing it was.
Catherine Owens: Enrolled at Brightpoint without a clear career path.

Resources and Support

Brightpoint offers a comprehensive range of resources to support students throughout their academic journey.

Canvas: All instructors at Brightpoint use Canvas to post course syllabi, announcements, grades, and other important course materials. Therefore, no matter which kind of class you choose to attend, you will need to have reliable internet access. If you don’t have access at home, Brightpoint offers a variety of technology tools and resources to assist you with your education.
Navigate: We encourage you to set up an appointment in Navigate with your faculty advisor. If you haven't declared a major, reach out to the Help Hub for assistance.
Help Hub: For questions about financial aid, you can reach out to the Help Hub for assistance.

Key Takeaways

Brightpoint Community College provides a supportive and flexible learning environment designed to help students achieve their academic and career aspirations. With diverse course formats, accelerated programs, and comprehensive resources, Brightpoint empowers students to succeed, regardless of their individual circumstances. Sign up for multiple semesters at one time, and lock in your path to graduation now.

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