Location: 195 Cedar Bridge Road, Manahawkin, NJ, 08050 

Phone: 732-255-0400, ext. 679 

Fax: 732-255-0525        

Email: sec@ocean.edu 

Webpage: Southern Education Center (SEC)

The Southern Education Center of Ocean County College is located at 195 Cedar Bridge Road, Manahawkin, off Route 9, behind Southern Regional High School. The Southern Education Center (SEC) is a full-service, additional location of Ocean County College conveniently sited for students residing in southern Ocean County. 

The SEC offers a wide spectrum of community college opportunities.  Most importantly, a large selection of classes is offered each semester, with courses scheduled during the day and evening. The bulk of the courses offered at the SEC fulfill the general education requirements for the various degrees offered at OCC– Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science.  Many classes also apply to those required within specific areas of study, such as Business, Criminal Justice and Pre-Nursing, to name a few.  The classes are taught by professors who meet the same requirements as those professors instructing on the Toms River campus, while the intimacy of the SEC allows for a very positive student-professor relationship.   

In addition to classes, Student Service Advisors are housed at the SEC to assist students with the wide variety of their needs and questions.  From the first steps in the process of enrolling at Ocean County College to commencement, the SEC Advisors will assist with registration and enrollment, transfer discussions, financial aid support, and student advising.  The SEC Student Service Advisors’ Office offers walk-in appointments that will assist and guide students through many of the college procedures; virtual advising appointments can also be scheduled.  Once classes start, most of the supportive service opportunities that are available on the main campus such as Disability Services, Career Services, Student Life events, college Librarians, Counseling Services, Financial Aid, Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), Student Support Services, academic coaching, and transfer guidance are also offered at the SEC.  The SEC also hosts representatives from Kean Ocean and Stockton University to review transfer options. 

Virtual platforms have been added at the SEC to further support a more a seamless interaction with main campus classes and services.  Through virtual connections, classes can be streamed to the SEC from the main campus and student services, such as tutoring, clubs and advising, are further expanded to provide virtual assistance to enhance the students’ collegiate experience. 

For any Ocean County College student living from Lacey Township southward in Ocean County, the opportunity for pursuing your Associate degree is close to home.  For the southern county resident, a short drive and convenient parking make the commute easier.  For non-traditional students, evening classes can conveniently assist you in completing your education. The wide array of services and classes offered at the SEC fully extend all the opportunities of the Toms River campus into the southern portion of Ocean County.  The small and intimate setting at the SEC allows for a very personal connection to instruction, advising and support services.