Northampton Community College has announced its plans to open for the fall semester Aug. 24, offering classes in a variety of formats, including on campus, online and hybrid courses combining in-person and online instruction.

These formats are designed to give students more control of their learning while placing an emphasis on health and safety practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Some online courses will meet regularly at set scheduled times each week, while others are self-paced with weekly milestones, allowing students to access classes online whenever they best suit their schedules.

Important student services, such as tutoring, counseling and other functions, will be offered both on-site and online this fall. A detailed overview of the fall course formats is available on the NCC website, northampton.edu.

“We are eager to welcome students back for the fall semester,” NCC President Dr. Mark Erickson said, “but our first priority remains the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and the community. To that end, we will continue to comply with all appropriate health and safety guidelines as well as promote aggressive wellness plans and enhanced sanitation efforts to reduce health risks.”

In addition, the college is reopening its residential halls, which offer on-campus living options for students. To address health and safety needs, the halls will be operating at reduced capacity, with all students placed into single rooms.

The college’s community and continuing education program, which offers noncredit classes to area residents for personal enrichment, is also offering fall courses.

Photography, cooking and fitness classes are now accepting students, as are programs providing specialized training in cybersecurity, health care and OSHA outreach. NCC’s newly expanded Fab Lab will also be offering a variety of hands-on learning experiences, from guitar building, wood turning, 3D printing and robotics. Those interested can visit northampton.edu/lifelearn to view and sign up for fall programs.

All students, faculty and staff returning to campus are required to wear face masks and complete an online re-entry health orientation. A daily check-in process will be implemented to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 and provide data necessary for proper contact tracing.

Social-distancing protocols will be followed in all campus spaces, and detailed guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been established with hand sanitizing stations and plastic shielding installed in key areas.

The college opened for summer classes July 6 with enrollment centers at both the Bethlehem and Monroe campuses open to help prospective and returning students register for fall classes, get information about financial aid, accept payments and more.

For more information or to register for fall classes, visit northampton.edu.