Advance College Experience (ACE)

ACE Your Summer Experience with Us

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 9 through August 7, 2024

Location

Courses will be offered in several formats: in person, hybrid (in person and online), synchronous online (you will 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.

Step 1: Create an Account

Click "create an account" and enter the following:

  • Email address: Use an address you check regularly
  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Birthday

Next, click "continue."

You will receive the following message: “A temporary PIN has been sent to your email address. If you do not receive this message in the next few minutes, please check your junk mail folder."

  • Check your email, locate the pin and enter it into the field
  • Enter your birthday
  • Click "log in"
  • Create a Password

Step 2: Start and Complete a New Application

From your landing page, click “Start A New Application.”

Personal Section
The section is pre-populated with information you provided when created your account.

  • Select a phone type (cell or home)
  • Enter your phone number
  • Click "Yes" for the “May we text you” question
  • Enter your permanent address: You must use a Philadelphia address
  • Click "Continue"

Demographics Section

  • Answer the residency questions
  • Make sure your date of birth is correct
  • Choose your legal sex and, if you choose, answer any of the optional questions regarding gender identity and pronouns
  • Choose the citizenship status that applies to you (status does not affect your ability to participate)
  • If asked, enter your social security number
  • If asked, enter your country of citizenship, country of birth and indicate if you have a U.S. visa
    • Optional: Indicate if you are Hispanic or Latinx
    • Optional: Select the ethnicity that best describe you
  • In the "Additional Information" area, choose the best answers for you (note: Three of these questions are required but do not affect your ability to participate)
    • Optional: On the “How do you plan to pay your tuition” question, choose "Other"
  • Click "Continue"

Academic Interest Section

  • For the first questions, “I am applying as the following type of student,” choose "Dual Enrollment"
  • Select "Advance @ College" as the high school program (if you will attend Parkway Center City Middle College, choose "Parkway")
  • Choose the term in which you plan to participate (summer 2024)
  • Choose your education goal
  • Chose the location where you prefer to take courses
  • Click "Continue"

Academic History Section

  • Add your high school information by clicking “Add High School”
  • Select the high school type
  • Type at least three letters of the school name and three letters of the city the school is located in to find your school
  • Enter the month and year of your expected high school graduation
  • Click "Save"
  • Click "Continue"

Parent Section

  • Click "yes" to share information about your parent/guardian
  • Click "Add New"
  • Choose the relationship type
  • Enter the first name
  • Enter the last name
  • Enter the email address
  • Click "Save"

Certification and Signature Section

  • Read the statement and type in your full legal name to certify
  • Click "Confirm"

Review Section

  • If there are errors or missing information, you will see a list of the sections and what is wrong or missing
  • Go to each section and correct any errors
  • Once all errors have been corrected, click "Submit Application"

    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 2, 2024.

    ACE Summer 2024 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, 1 to 4:30 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.

    Introduction to Health Care Professions

    This course introduces students to various aspects of the health care field. Students will explore a variety of health-related disciplines, create an academic and career plan for their chosen profession, and develop a health care e-portfolio. Study health implications for several cultural groups, including belief systems, communication styles and the role of the family. Professional behavior and essential qualities for health care professionals will also be addressed.

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

    Foundation of Early Childhood Education

    This course provides an introduction to the history, theories and philosophies affecting early childhood education in the 21st century. Curriculum models and inclusionary practices from infancy through fourth grade are investigated. The importance of social, economic and cultural diversity is explored for its implications on learning and teaching. Current trends and the future of early childhood education are discussed. Ethical and professional responsibilities of educators are addressed.

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

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

    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 and JavaScript programming languages, 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: Main Campus, In Person, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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

    Public Speaking

    This course emphasizes the preparation and delivery of a public speech. The focus of the course is speaking to inform, persuade and entertain.

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

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

    Introduction to Law

    This course is an introduction to our legal system, including the basics of civil and criminal law, sources of law, and the creation of law. Film clips, courtroom visits and guest lectures will provide you with a dynamic introduction to the constantly changing legal field. You will also be exposed to myriad career opportunities available in the legal field. There will be extra fees for field trips.

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

    Introduction to Gender Studies

    This course introduces students to the foundational concepts in women's, men's, trans, and nonbinary studies and examines their historical contexts, contemporary topics, and future concerns. Gender Studies explores gender through multiple lenses including ethnicity, class, religion, nationality, culture, and sexual orientation in order to dissect how it is a social construct, a biological component, and a source of prejudice, stereotype, and privilege. Using primary texts, students will critically and thoughtfully analyze the interdisciplinary and intersectional nature of gender and examine the ways our individual identities navigate gender personally, politically, and societally.

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

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

    Introduction to Arabic

    This course introduces basic written and spoken Arabic to students who have had little or no previous knowledge of the language. The main focus of the course is to help students master the Arabic alphabet in written form and orally. Students will write simple sentences, understand selected principles of basic grammar, and will be introduced to the classical Arabic of the Qur'an as well as to a modern spoken dialect. Students will also learn aspects of Arab culture.

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

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

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

    Introduction to Black Studies

    This course is an introduction to the concept of Black Studies and global black identities. Black diaspora and contemporary issues facing global black communities will be introduced within the course.

    Location/Format: Main Campus, In Person, Monday through Thursday from 9 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.