Advance College Experience (ACE)

ACE Your Summer 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. 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. Through ACE, you can make new friends, explore a career interest, study timely and relevant issues, and earn college credit.

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 and most of all, a desire to learn new and exciting academic skills.

We accept public, private, charter, archdiocesan and home-schooled students. Philadelphia residency is not required.

Dates

July 8 through August 6, 2025

Location

Courses will be offered in in-person, hybrid (in person and online) and asynchronous formats. Most-in person and hybrid courses will be offered on the main campus (1700 Spring Garden Street). Please see campus information in the course list below.

Tuition

The cost is $250 per course, excluding books. Book costs differ for each course. Tuition payments are made online through the student’s 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

New students should follow the instructions on the “Application Process” tab above. 

Classes fill quickly, so please apply early!
 

Orientation

All registered students will be invited to attend an ACE orientation held in early July.

Application Process

This is for NEW Students. A student who took ACE or dual enrollment courses at CCP within the last two years do not re-apply but should email us at advanceatcollege@ccp.edu so we can send you the necessary 2025 forms.

All students must apply to CCP’s Advanced College Experience (ACE) program by following the steps below. The application process includes submitting an online application, signed participation forms and course preferences. We encourage students to apply early.

Summer ACE 2025 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. Students will 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, In Person on Main Campus on Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Developmental Psychology
This course explores current research finding and theoretical perspectives related to human development across the lifespan and within and across diverse cultures. A major theme is the interaction between nature and nurture in human development.
Location/Format: Online, Asynchronous

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 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: 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.
In Person at the Career and Advanced Technology Center (4750 Market Street), 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, Hybrid, Tuesday & 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, Hybrid, Tuesday & 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 1 to 4:30 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.

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.

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

Introductory 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 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Introductory French
This course introduces students to both written and spoken French. Listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing are learned simultaneously. French culture, communication skills and vocabulary are covered.
Main Campus, In Person, Monday through Thursdays 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.

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