This fall, Houston Community College System students will have several options to take their courses, according to a June 16 press release.

HCC will offer the following four ways for safe learning amid the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Online Anytime: enroll in self-paced classes online with no in-person instruction

  • Online on a Schedule: attend online classes scheduled at certain times with no in-person instruction

  • Flex Campus: enroll in scheduled classes with a choice of attending in-person or virtually

  • Lab-based Courses: attend classes in-person with a small group of people for hands-on, skills-based learning


More information about these offerings, collectively dubbed nextLearning, is available on HCC's website.

Additionally, HCC campuses have implemented new safety protocols, including using face masks, installing hand sanitizing stations and promoting new signage encouraging social distancing, per the release.

HCC students will continue to have access to support services, such as tutoring, counseling and basic needs support, per the release.

“These modifications to our fall schedule will provide the most flexible and safest ways for our students to learn and our faculty to teach,” HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado said in the release. “We are ready to overcome any obstacle and achieve our strategic priority of student success.”


HCC temporarily closed its campuses March 20 and shifted to online courses because of the coronavirus pandemic, per its website. All summer courses remain online, though some labs and workforce programs can return to campuses to complete hands-on training from spring 2020 courses.

HCC has 20 campuses, centers and administration locations across the Greater Houston area, including sites in the Katy area, in Missouri City and near Bellaire.