What is a community college?
Community colleges are public, two-year colleges. (Private two-year colleges are generally called as junior colleges.) A community college allows a student to do their first two years (equal to an Associates Degree) of a four-year (Bachelors) degree. Many students will choose community colleges due to their smaller class sizes, lower prices and less competitive admission requirements. Many community colleges have articulation agreements with four-year universities that allow for a transfer into a bachelors degree program. This is very common for institutions within the same state. For more information on community colleges please see the American Association of Community Colleges website at www.aacc.nche.edu.
Community colleges are publicly supported and locally oriented colleges that offer programs for transfer to a four-year college, career education programs, remedial or “catch-up” programs for students who lack a strong educational background, and continuing education for cultural growth, life enrichment, and skills improvement.
The concept of community colleges in the United States developed in the early 20th century. Primarily, these schools are publicly-funded facilities offering higher education to anyone who is interested, especially those in the local community. A community college traditionally offers certificates, diplomas and/or Associate’s degrees in several courses of study. At many community colleges, credits can be transferred to a four-year university for those students seeking a Bachelor’s degree. Sometimes, a community college is alternatively known as a technical or junior college, or even a county or city college in some states. Some of the most popular fields of study at the community college level include nursing, law enforcement, radiology, and technological fields. Other disciplines with high enrollment include law enforcement, emergency medical technician training, and firefighting programs. Students who attend community college come from a variety of backgrounds and attend such schools
A community college (also known as a junior college) is a higher education institution that provides a two year curriculum that can include leading to an associate’s degree. Other programs in place include a transfer program towards a four year degree and occupational programs (one and two year programs of study). Besides coursework focusing on academic programs, courses are also often offered at the community college for personal growth or development.
Related Questions
- I would like to take Early Childhood courses but am unable to attend classes during the day and/or I dont live near a community college. What other options do I have?
- How should I choose my classes? Generally speaking what courses/ skills do colleges and/or future employers feel students should have upon graduation?
- What is a community college?
