LBCC's Accelerated 8-Week Courses Empower Students to Balance Education and Life

Long Beach City College (LBCC) is revolutionizing higher education with its accelerated 8-week courses, designed to accommodate students juggling work, family, and academic commitments. This initiative has led to significant improvements in student success rates, particularly among Black and African American students and adult learners.

 

In August 2024, LBCC expanded its 8-week course offerings to constitute 50% of all classes, aiming to better serve students balancing multiple responsibilities. These courses cover the same material as traditional 16-week classes but in half the time, allowing students to focus on fewer subjects simultaneously. ([lbcc.edu](https://www.lbcc.edu/press-release/lbcc-expands-eight-week-course-offerings-give-more-options-students-who-are-juggling?utm_source=openai))

 

The results have been promising. Data indicates that in-person 8-week classes consistently outperform their 16-week counterparts in student success rates, notably in subjects like math, engineering, and family and consumer studies. Equity gaps have also narrowed substantially, with Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian, and Filipino students achieving double-digit success rate increases in 8-week classes compared to 16-week formats. ([lbcc.edu](https://www.lbcc.edu/press-release/lbcc-expands-eight-week-course-offerings-give-more-options-students-who-are-juggling?utm_source=openai))

 

LBCC's commitment to student success extends beyond course structure. The college has implemented support systems such as the Center of Black Student Excellence, which offers academic programs, empowerment circles, and career counseling to affirm Black students' identities and enrich their academic experiences. ([lbpost.com](https://lbpost.com/news/education/lbusd-opens-center-focused-on-black-student-success-amid-push-to-close-gaps-in-test-scores?utm_source=openai))

 

As LBCC continues to innovate, the accelerated 8-week courses stand as a testament to the college's dedication to providing flexible, effective educational opportunities that meet the diverse needs of its student body.