what is community college course work like

A community college, sometimes known as a junior college is a higher education institution that provides a two-year curriculum that can lead 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.

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What is it like to go to Community College?

Jul 31, 2021 · A community college, sometimes known as a junior college is a higher education institution that provides a two-year curriculum that can lead 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.

What is a community college degree?

Jul 14, 2020 · The majority of certificates awarded by community colleges in 2014-2015 – 88% – were in career and technical education fields, according to the American Association of Community Colleges, which...

What are the different types of programs offered at Community College?

Mar 13, 2012 · One type of note, once unique to the United States but becoming known and established in other countries, is the community college. Community colleges, sometimes called junior colleges, are two-year schools that provide affordable postsecondary education as a pathway to a four-year degree. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, …

What's the difference between a Community College and college campus?

Aug 10, 2018 · Community colleges usually have flexible schedules. If you attend a “standard” college or university, then your class schedule typically follows a 9-5 day, much like a job would. That can make it difficult for parents, working adults, and students who are trying to get through college without debt to make it to class.

Is community college cheaper than four year colleges?

Community colleges tend to be considerably cheaper than four-year colleges and universities. At public, four-year colleges, the average in-state tuition and fees were $10,440 in 2019-2020 and out-of-state tuition and fees were $26,820, according to the College Board's 2019 Trends in College Pricing report.

How old are community colleges?

The population of students tends to be older, too – the average age of a community college student is 28, according to the American Association of Community Colleges.

Do community colleges have open admissions?

Students may have to submit an application, but most community colleges have open admissions policies. This means that students typically do not have to fulfill any academic requirements or compete with others for admission. Almost anyone who applies to a community college with open admissions is accepted.

Do international students go to community colleges?

Yes, international students enroll at community colleges in the U.S. More than 86,000 international students attended community colleges during the 2018-2019 school year, according to data from the Institute of International Education. This represents about 8% of all international student enrollment.

Is community college good for international students?

Community colleges may be a good fit for international students because they generally have low tuition rates and offer students an easier transition to U.S.-style academics, experts say. The types of services offered at community colleges aim to cater to the specific needs of its local community, D'Amico says.

How much is the average college tuition in 2020?

At public, four-year colleges, the average in-state tuition and fees were $10,440 in 2019-2020 and out-of-state tuition and fees were $26,820, according to the College Board's 2019 Trends in College Pricing report.

What is community college?

Community colleges, sometimes called junior colleges, are two-year schools that provide affordable postsecondary education as a pathway to a four-year degree. According to the American Association ...

What are the benefits of community colleges?

Community colleges offer a distinct learning environment, and are recognized for smaller class sizes, more individualized attention and a supportive atmosphere. Community colleges also offer the following: 1 A Pathway to a Four-Year Degree – Because community colleges are accredited, students can easily transfer between a community college and a four-year college or university. 2 Affordability – Attending a community college can offer savings of thousands of dollars. The average cost of attending public community college is $2,713 per year. By comparison, the average cost of attending a public four-year college or university is $7,605 per year. 3 Relevance – New businesses, such as emerging green technologies, will require workers trained in new ways. Technology is central to supporting much of this change. Many community colleges provide technical or vocational training for international students. 4 Partnership with Industry – To ensure students have adequate preparation for jobs that require higher education or workforce training, community college officials are working with employers to develop flexible, affordable and relevant training programs that meet business and regional economic needs. The partnership between businesses and community colleges can maximize workforce development strategies, job training programs, and ultimately, job placement. International students can take advantage of these opportunities through optional practical training, a one-year authorization to work.

What is a partnership with industry?

Partnership with Industry – To ensure students have adequate preparation for jobs that require higher education or workforce training, community college officials are working with employers to develop flexible, affordable and relevant training programs that meet business and regional economic needs.

What is community college?

A community college is the perfect employment option for those who just graduated with a degree, need to work part-time, or are trying to carve out personalized career goals outside of an educational institution. 6. Students get extra time to choose the right college.

Why is community college important?

One of the biggest perks about attending a community college is that most are very close to home. That makes it much easier for working adults to fit classes in with their schedule. It’s also a way for high school graduates to save on room and board, providing an opportunity to stay at home with their parents instead.

Do community colleges offer scholarships?

Community colleges rarely offer scholarships to offset the costs of tuition. Most do not offer work-study programs that can offset some of the tuition cost. That means a majority of students are on a pay-as-you-go plan with their community college.

What is a 529 IRA?

In the United States, a 529 plan is structured like an IRA, except that the account is used to pay for educational costs instead of a retirement. Community colleges are a qualified expense to withdrawal funds from this plan, which means you won’t face tax penalties for accessing this money. 8.

What are the characteristics of a community college?

Features of a Community College 1 Publicly funded 2 Two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees 3 Open admission to anyone with a high school diploma 4 Lower tuition than four-year colleges

What is community college?

A community college, sometimes referred to as a junior college or technical college, is a tax-payer supported two-year institution of higher education. The term "community" is at the heart of a community college's mission. These schools offer a level of accessibility—in terms of time, finances, and geography—that cannot be found at most liberal ...

Is community college the right choice?

If you're looking for a traditional residential college experience, a community college will not be the right choice. Community colleges specialize in serving live-at-home students and part-time students.

Do community colleges have baccalaureate degrees?

Community colleges do not offer four-year baccalaureate degrees or any graduate degrees. They have a two-year curriculum that typically terminates with an associate's degree. Shorter programs may lead to specific professional certifications.

Why are community colleges so challenging?

It can be more challenging to find a close peer group and to build strong faculty/student relationships at a community college than at a residential four-year college.

Who is Allen Grove?

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college . A community college, sometimes referred to as a junior college or technical college, is a tax-payer supported two-year institution of higher education.

Is community college good?

There are several pros of community college that make it a great option for those seeking to start or continue their education. These benefits include lower costs, smaller classes and an easier application process: 1. Lower Costs at Community College.

What are the benefits of community college?

These benefits include lower costs, smaller classes and an easier application process: 1. Lower Costs at Community College. When comparing the costs of community college to a university, you must look at the cost per year rather than the total cost of getting a degree.

What are the best classes for college?

Universities tend to have very large classes, which have a correlation to lower student grades. In fact, researchers determined the maximum number of students in an ideal class for colleges to be as follows: 1 12 for online-only classes 2 17 for hybrid online and on-campus classes 3 18 for on-campus undergraduate classes 4 14 for graduate classes 5 Nine for doctoral classes

Is community college better than university?

For many, the benefits of a community college outweigh those of a university. There are several pros of community college that make it a great option for those seeking to start or continue their education. These benefits include lower costs, smaller classes and an easier application process:

Do community colleges offer the same amenities as four year colleges?

Despite the lower costs, smaller class sizes and easier admissions, community colleges may not offer all the same amenities that four-year universities do. These cons of community college may affect your decision, depending on what you plan to do during your college years:

Do community colleges have sports teams?

Community colleges typically don’t have competitive sports teams. If you played sports in high school and want to continue to do so in college, you may want to consider a four-year university. For highly skilled players, sports-based scholarships could help you afford your education.

What is the biggest concern for many when attending a four year university?

The biggest concern for many when attending a four-year university is the cost. As noted, universities have a much higher per year cost. Much of this cost includes additional fees the university charges for housing, meal plans and special programs. The extra amenities offered at a university come at a cost.

What is the best thing about college?

One of the best things about college life is the chance to be a part of a community of peers in a place that is totally dedicated to facilitating a positive experience for you. The more you put yourself out there and get involved in that community, the more likely it is that you’ll feel like your college is a place where you belong.

What is extracurricular in college?

Just like high school, college extracurriculars are clubs, organizations, and activities you can participate in outside of the classroom. It’s common for college students to choose extracurriculars based on their hobbies, values, beliefs, or desire to be a part of a community.

What is general education?

General Education Courses. It’s typical for students to complete what are usually called “general education” (gen ed) courses during their freshman and sophomore years of college. These are the core classes that all students have to take in order to graduate, regardless of their major.

Can you take electives in high school?

Electives. Your high school may have allowed you to take elective courses, and most colleges do, too. Elective courses are classes that aren't specifically required by the university, your college, or your department. Basically, elective courses are classes you get to choose to take because you're interested in them.

How many hours does a lab class take?

A typical class is three hours, whereas a class with a lab component is usually four hours . In order to graduate, you'll have to earn a certain number of hours toward your degree, with a specific percentage of those being within your major field.

What is Gen Ed in college?

It’s typical for students to complete what are usually called “general education” (gen ed) courses during their freshman and sophomore years of college. These are the core classes that all students have to take in order to graduate, regardless of their major.