Advance College Experience (ACE)

ACE Your Summer Experience with Us

The college is no longer accepting ACE applications for summer 2023. Applications and paperwork received after July 1, 2023 cannot be guaranteed course enrollment due to required processing time. 

Earn college credits and get ahead this summer!

An opportunity that you will never forget, ACE provides college-level courses for highly motivated students going into 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades, as well as students up to age 21 pursuing a high school equivalency credential. We accept public, private, charter, archdiocesan and home-schooled students. Philadelphia residency is not required. Through ACE, you can make new friends, explore a career interest, study timely and relevant issues, and earn college credit. 

The ACE program offers a cross-section of intensive courses and includes a full semester of college-level course material over five weeks in July and August. Students who earn an "A," "B" or "C" will receive college credit from Community College of Philadelphia. Students who earn lower than a "C" will receive a certificate of completion. Courses require hard work, dedication to the task and most of all, a desire to learn new and exciting academic skills.

Dates

July 11 through August 9, 2023

Location

Courses will be offered in several formats: in person, hybrid (online and in person), synchronous online (your meet with your professor and classmates on the days and times listed for the class) and asynchronous online (you do not have scheduled meeting times).

Tuition

The cost is only $250 per course, excluding books. Book costs differ for each course. Tuition payments are made online through your MyCCP account. Once a student is registered, payment instructions are provided via email.

Entrance Requirements

ACE applicants must have:

  • A completed online application
  • At least a 2.5 GPA
  • The signed permission of a parent/guardian and school
  • Interest in participating in a rigorous summer college experience

To Apply

Students who previously participated in ACE or dual enrollment can email advanceatcollege@ccp.edu to enroll. You do not need to submit a new application.

All new students should apply to the Summer ACE program following the steps below. Students are expected to check their email regularly to ensure completion of the application process.

  1. Create an account providing all of the required information
    1. For term, select Summer 2023
    2. For academic program, select non-matriculated
    3. Create a password and click “create account” (save your login information)
    4. Verify your account (check your email for your verification code)
  2. Create an application. Click “Start New Application” and complete the application in full. The application has five sections, click "save and continue" at the bottom of each page. Your Social Security Number is required. If you do not have a Social Security Number, please follow the instructions provided within the application.
    1. Personal: This section will be partially prepopulated with information you provided when you created your account. Complete any missing information. You must use a Philadelphia address.
    2. Demographics: Complete the required information, including your correct date of birth and Social Security Number. If you do not know your Social Security Number, save the application and come back to it once you have the number. For the "How do you plan to pay your tuition" question, choose Other
    3. Plans: Choose Non-Matriculated as the Academic Program. Choose Dual Enrollment for the Student Type and then select Advance College Experience as the high school program.
    4. Academics: Provide your high school information. For the question, “Have you/will you graduate from High School,” click Yes. Enter your high school graduation year.
    5. Signature: Preview your completed application before submitting it and then click Save.
  3. After completing the application, you will be brought back to the dashboard and will see the application in the “My Applications” window. The application status should be "submitted."
  4. Once the application is completed, you will be sent an email with information about additional application documents and course selection.
  5. Once we receive all required forms, we will accept your application and register you for your selected course(s). We will make every effort to enroll students in their first-choice course. If the first-choice course is full, we will register students in their second-choice course and so on. If you do not select a 2nd and/or 3rd choice and your first-choice course is full, you will be notified.
  6. Once you are registered, you will be notified via email and will receive instructions for making payment.

The application and registration process may take up to two weeks. Questions about the application process and/or next steps can be directed to advanceatcollege@ccp.edu.

Students can enroll in up to two courses, however, please be aware that this is a lot of work.

Please monitor your email for communication from CCP regarding your application.

Classes fill quickly, so please apply early!

Orientation

All registered students will be invited to attend an ACE orientation held on July 6, 2023.

ACE Summer 2023 Courses

Do you like working with people? Consider one of these social science courses.

Psychology

(LIMITED TO STUDENTS GOING INTO 10TH, 11TH AND 12TH GRADES ONLY.) This course is a valuable introduction to the major theories of human behavior and development. Emphasis will be placed on useful applications to everyday life. The course includes challenging reading and writing assignments.

Two sections are offered for the location/format:

  • Section 1: Main Campus, In Person, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Section 2: Online, Asynchronous

Sociology

Understanding the social nature of humans and the social world in which they live. Analysis of such topics as culture, socialization, social groups and social institutions, stratification, the family, gender relations, race and ethnicity, minorities, social deviance, social change and technology, the urban community, population and the environment. Both Western and non-Western cross-cultural comparisons are provided throughout the course.

Location/Format: Online, Asynchronous

Introduction to Public Health

Students learn about the science of disease prevention, health promotion, and the historical development of social constructs that lead to health disparities in many communities. The course will teach students to identify and analyze health disparities in large populations and causal factors such as racism, sexism and classism.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Nutrition For A Healthy Lifestyle

Discover the science of nutrition and its impact in learning to live a healthier lifestyle. This course teaches students to incorporate fundamental scientific nutrition concepts to make sound decisions to improve health and wellness, and support disease prevention.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person at the Northeast Regional Center on Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Interested in exploring your creative side? Try these courses to exercise your imagination.

Creative Writing

Focus on student production of original work which may include fiction, poetry, memoir and dramatic writing. Students will do extensive reading, as well as writing and developing the critical vocabulary needed to discuss these genres from a writer's point of view. They will develop these skills through a number of activities including different forms of writing inside and outside of the classroom and peer evaluation in the form of writing workshops.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Introduction to Music Technology

This hands-on course teaches you how to create, edit and manipulate MIDI files in order to print publishable music, and to layer various tracks to create finished MIDI sequences for recording. You will apply your compositional and editing skills using industry-standard computers, and digital audio hardware and software. You will learn how to properly connect various pieces of MIDI equipment and how to set up for different typical music applications. In addition to the hands-on curriculum, you will learn about the history of electronic music, analog synthesis and the progression of the technology, noticing how developments in the past are directly affecting our technology of today and the future. This course can be completed with a laptop or PC, no additional technology is required.

Location/Format: Main Campus, In Person, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Music Business

An introduction to the business of music including career opportunities, promotion and marketing procedures. Students will explore various professions in the music field and learn essential skills in music law, publishing, concert production, management, merchandising and recording.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Mondays from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Web Page Design

This course will provide students with a solid foundation for building dynamic web pages. It introduces students to Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) for structuring and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for styling, defining, and formatting web pages. 

Location/Format: Hybrid, meeting In Person on Main Campus on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Choose one of these courses to plunge into the captivating worlds of science and technology.

Intermediate Algebra

This course prepares students for college-level mathematics. It covers real numbers, polynomials, rational expressions. Algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities in one variable, absolute value equations and inequalities, linear equations in two variables, graphs of lines, systems of linear equations in two variables, quadratic equations in one variable, problems solving.

Three sections are offered for the location/format:

  • Section 1: Hybrid, Meeting In Person at the Northeast Regional Center on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Section 2: Hybrid Online, Meeting Online on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Section 3: Online, Asynchronous

Introduction to Computer Programming

This course introduces the fundamentals of object-oriented computer programming using a selection of modern programming languages and development tools. It covers the logical design of computer programs, simple input and output, data checking, formatting output and simple mathematical processing, such as counting, summing, and finding minima and maxima. This is the first programming course taken by Computer Information Systems (CIS) majors and is a good introductory course for anyone interested in exploring computer programming. The course will explore and study developing fundamental programs using the Python programming language, developing fundamental programs using the JavaScript programming language, and explore and study creating fundamental Android Apps using the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) award winning App Concept Tool App Inventor. This course can be completed with a laptop or PC, no additional technology is required.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Introduction to Video Game Development

This course introduces students to professional video game and simulation development, including the modern video game industry and its historical development, game analysis and design, game programming technology and practices, graphics and sound technology used in games and simulations, and ethical issues related to video games and simulations. Students will learn about the game development process for both serious and casual games and the roles that various professionals play in that development. They will engage in a semester-long project to design, build, and publish an entry-level computer-based video game using a game development engine. This course can be completed with a laptop or PC, no additional technology is required.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Explore the worlds of business or justice in one of these courses.

Business Leadership

This course introduces students to success strategies for self-leadership and college-level academic inquiry, including career planning, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, cultural competence, working within teams, and institutional knowledge. Students create a comprehensive personal leadership plan, including academic, financial, and career/transfer.

Location/Format: Online, Asynchronous

Entrepreneurship

Interested in developing an entrepreneurial mindset? If you have ever thought of starting your own business, then this course is designed with you in mind. In this course, students will develop a mindset that will enable them to build a toolkit to create and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities, gather resources, and build teams nurtured by creativity, leadership, and innovation.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Survey of Justice

This course covers the history, development and philosophy of criminal justice in a democratic society, including an introduction to agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice, career orientation and constitutional limitations of criminal justice.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Technology in Criminal Justice

This course introduces students to the use of technology in the criminal justice field. The course will provide students with hands-on, practical experience using software programs developed for criminal justice.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Introduction to Automotive Technology

This course is an introduction to the field of automotive technology, and is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge for success in the Automotive Technology program at the College and in the automotive industry. Topics include an overview of the current automotive field, as well as practice in modern automotive systems and shop procedures.

Location/Format: Meeting in Person at the Career and Advanced Technology Center (4750 Market Street), Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Note: There will be no class July 31 through August 3.

Interested in exploring the world? Start with one of these introductory courses.

Introduction to Japanese

This course introduces basic modern spoken and written Japanese to students who have had little or no previous knowledge of the language. The course will focus on developing students' communication skills in Japanese, including writing, reading, listening and speaking in order for students to function using Japanese in a Japanese social environment. Students will also learn aspects of Japanese culture associated with the use of the language.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to12:30 p.m.

Introduction to Spanish

Elementary Spanish 101 introduces basic written and spoken Spanish to students who have little or no previous knowledge of the language. The four fundamental aspects of language learning-comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing-are developed simultaneously. Communication skills and vocabulary are emphasized, in terms of both everyday oral performance and basic reading knowledge. Aspects of Hispanic cultures are introduced.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Latin American Cultures & Civilizations

Students will learn about some of the cultures of Latin America from political, economic and social perspectives. The course will focus on the interpretation of literary, philosophical, and historical texts, with a balanced representation from film, art, and music.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus Monday through Thursday from 1 to 2:45 p.m.

Are history and current events your thing? Start with one of these introductory courses.

Contemporary Black Cinema

If you like films and you like to talk about films, in this Contemporary Black Cinema class we view, discuss, write about, and critique Black films from horrors and thrillers to comedies, dramas, and love stories. Films such as "Black Panther," "Swarm," "South Central," "New Jack City," and others will be the topics of fun, enlightening, and critical discussions, writings, and projects.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Main Campus on Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

History of American Diversity

This course places the themes of race, ethnicity, gender, class and religion in a historical context from pre-Columbian America through colonial and revolutionary North America and into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It strives to be culturally inclusive and intellectually encompassing, emphasizing the actual experiences of ordinary citizens as well as those of extraordinary individuals.

Location/Format: In Person, Meeting at the Northeast Regional Center on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

World Religions

This course provided an Introduction to many of the world’s major religious traditions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam) as well as other selected ancient and modern religious traditions. The course will also consider the nature and significance of religious experience, the impact of religion on culture, basic approaches to the study of religion, and different theories used to interpret religious beliefs and practices.

Location/Format: In Person, Meeting on Main Campus on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Philosophy of Love

Love is love. Or maybe not. This course seeks to engage students in investigating and learning about the concept of love as it has been understood historically, across various cultural traditions, and within our society today. Some questions explored include… What are the different kinds of love? Is the meaning of love today the same as it was in the past? How do different cultures understand and express love differently? How are religious beliefs connected with our ideas of what it means to love? Can there be such a thing as a bad or immoral kind of love? These and other topics will be explored primarily through class discussions that accompany our analyses of assigned readings as well works of art, music, and other contemporary media presentations of love.

Location/Format: Hybrid, Meeting In Person on Monday through Thursday from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Questions

Please direct your questions to advanceatcollege@ccp.edu. You can find more information about the College's locations here.