Community CollegeCommunity Colleges, institutions of higher education offer two-year progr

Community College

Community Colleges, institutions of higher education offer two-year programs of general study or technical or vocational training. Many students receive the first two years (freshman and sophomore years) of postsecondary education at community colleges before pursuing a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution. Community colleges offer a variety of programs and degrees, including certificate programs that require less than two years of work in a specific field of study; terminal associate degrees in professional and technical programs; and associate degrees that may be transferred toward the completion of a bachelor's degree. Most community colleges are nonprofit, public institutions supported by state and local taxes, but there are also independent schools that operate on a for-profit basis.

Two-year postsecondary institutions were first established in the United States in the early 20th century. These schools were called junior colleges because their main function was to offer only the beginning level of general college study. Credits earned at junior colleges could be transferred to another institution where students could complete their final years of college, Now called community colleges, these two-year institutions still offer courses of general academic study to recent high school graduates. However, they also try to serve the educational needs of a greater segment of the community, including older students and workers. Today, most community colleges 6ffer technical, vocational and adult education programs in addition to general academic programs.

For many students, community colleges offer distinct advantages over four-year institutions. For example, most public community colleges charge comparatively low tuition rates, so a greater segment of the community can afford to attend. Public community colleges also have relatively flexible admissions policies. They generally require only a high school diploma or its equivalent, an application to the institution, and occasionally acceptance into one of the institution's programs. Community colleges strive to offer courses in convenient locations, so students may enroll in institutions near their homes. In addition, the schools attempt to offer courses at convenient times, allowing many students to attend on a part-time basis while they work.

In 1996 there were 1462 two-year colleges in the United States, including 1047 public institutions and 415 private institutions. Nearly all of these schools are members of the American Association of Community Colleges, which represents member institutions before public legislatures, conducts educational research, monitors national trends, and publishes information on issues affecting community colleges. Two-year institutions in the United States enroll approximately 5.5 million students annually who take courses for college credit. Nearly half of all first-year college students in the United States are enrolled in two-year institutions. In Canada, most community colleges are members of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). Canadian community colleges offer a similar range of programs as those in the United States. They serve approximately 375,000 full-time and 180,000 part-time students.

Community colleges typically offer a wide range of programs to meet the educational needs of a varied student population. These programs include (1) courses in the arts and sciences and other general academic areas to provide a foundation for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges; (2) technical, vocational programs and courses; (3) developmental programs designed to provide a range of needed academic and living skills, such as courses in English as a second language for non-English speaking immigrants; and (4) part-time continuing (adult) education in general, cultural, and vocational studies.

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