Johnson County Community College: A Comprehensive Overview

Johnson County Community College (JCCC), established in 1967, stands as the largest community college in Kansas and the Kansas City area. With a national reputation for educational excellence, JCCC is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education in collaborative environments that support student learning and growth. The college is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Campus and Location

JCCC is situated on a 220-acre campus in Johnson County. The location provides a conducive environment for learning and personal development. The main campus site at College Boulevard and Quivira Road was selected in 1969 after Johnson County voters approved $12.9 million in bonds to purchase 200 acres of land in Overland Park, with classes beginning in leased facilities in Merriam, Kansas, that same year.

Academics and Programs

JCCC offers a wide array of academic programs designed to cater to diverse student interests and career aspirations. As a credit student, individuals can choose from more than 80 degree and certificate programs in eight areas of interest. These programs encompass various fields, ensuring students have ample opportunities to pursue their passions. The college offers a range of undergraduate credit courses that form the first two years of most college curricula. More than 50 one- and two-year career degree and certificate programs prepare students to enter the job market in high-employment fields.

Popular programs include:

Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Business Administration and Management, General

JCCC maintains transfer agreements with regional colleges and universities, facilitating seamless transitions for students seeking to continue their education at four-year institutions. More than 41 percent of JCCC students enrolled in fall 2014 planned to transfer to another college or university.

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The school utilizes a semester-based academic year. The highest degree offered at Johnson County Community College is an associate degree.

Student Life

JCCC provides a vibrant and supportive student life experience. The college offers various services and resources to enhance student success, including academic/career counseling, placement services for completers, and employment services. On-campus day care is available for students' children, providing convenience and support for parents pursuing their education.

Special Programs

JCCC offers a range of special programs catering to diverse student needs and interests:

Some degree programs are available as an online learning option.
External Degree Program
English as a Second Language program
Academic remediation
Distance learning program
Double major option
Independent study
Learning disabilities services
Advanced Placement credit
Student-designed majors
Honors program
Cooperative (work-study) program
Internships
Off-campus study
Summer session for credit
Sponsors its own study-abroad program
Part-time undergraduate degree programs

Admissions and Enrollment

JCCC has an open admissions policy, making higher education accessible to a wide range of students. Students wishing to attend the college must file an application, submit official transcripts, and complete an assessment process.

In Fall 2023, the college had a total of 3,696 entering students. For Fall 2022, the full-time enrollment was 4,765, while part-time enrollment stood at 9,126. The student-faculty ratio is 17-to-1.

Tuition and Financial Aid

JCCC is committed to making education affordable. Lower tuition and scholarships make education accessible. The college's Financial Aid office assists students with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and connects them with scholarship opportunities.

For the academic year 2020-2021, the in-district tuition and fees were $2,256, in-state tuition and fees were $2,688, and out-of-state tuition and fees were $5,352. There is no application fee. For the academic year 2022-2023: In-state tuition and fees were $2,688 and out-of-state tuition and fees were $5,352. Books and supplies were estimated at $1,560.

In 2022 - 2023, 31 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, and the average scholarship or grant award is $2,808.

Workforce Development and Continuing Education (WDCE)

Community is at the heart of JCCC’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education (WDCE) offerings. Through WDCE each year, the college provides more than 16,500 students with re-certification opportunities, a range of training and certifications for business leaders and healthcare professionals, and life and leisure courses. The Business Solutions team provides area businesses and organizations with customized training solutions and industry-specific educational programs.

Johnson County Adult Education (JCAE), the largest adult education program in Kansas, offers personalized study plans to help individuals prepare for the GED, strengthen their English skills, or upskill for a promotion.

Arts and Culture

JCCC enriches the community through its commitment to arts and culture. The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art on the JCCC campus has one of the top collections of emerging and established artists today. With more than 100,000 visitors annually, the museum is regarded as one of the region’s most significant cultural destinations.

The Midwest Trust Center (MTC) at JCCC is the premiere performing arts venue in Johnson County. MTC’s annual series combines a curated selection of dance, music, and theatre performances by local, national, and international artists. In addition to the annual series, MTC’s Arts Education programming presents a variety of performances for elementary and middle school students and teachers (discounted to $5 or less per student).

Student Support Services

JCCC values special populations of students and partners with them to support lasting success. A unique peer mentoring program connects veterans and military students with financial and academic resources to achieve their goals. Students who need accommodations can coordinate with Access Services for a barrier-free environment. The CONNECT program makes higher education possible for first-time college students with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Discover your skills, strengths, interests, and values through JCCC’s free Career Development Center.

Governance

JCCC is governed by a seven-member board of trustees elected at-large from the community to four-year terms. The board governs the college and sets the budget and local tax levy.

Facilities

The college completed construction of the Arts and Technology Building in 1981 and established a railroad training center in partnership with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) in 1989. The Cultural Education Center, now the Midwest Trust Center, opened in 1990. At least one staffed computer lab is available to students. A wireless computer network is available throughout the campus.

Controversies

In the early 1990s, JCCC installed video surveillance of a staff changing and locker area located in a multi-purpose storage and maintenance room accessible to various staff members. In response, several employees filed a federal lawsuit against the college alleging that the cameras violated the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and Fourth Amendment privacy rights in Thompson v. Johnson County Community College. In 1996, the district court granted summary judgment for the college and agreed that the surveillance did not record sound and was conducted in a common area where no reasonable expectation of privacy existed.

In another incident, a nursing student was expelled over a photo taken with a placenta during a lab. One student filed a federal lawsuit against the college, alleging a lack of due process and noting that the school's code of conduct did not specifically prohibit such photography. In January 2011, US District Court Judge Eric Melgren ruled in favor of the student, finding that the instructor's ambiguous response did not constitute a clear prohibition and that no patient privacy was violated since the placenta was non-identifiable.

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