What is a Community College?
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 for various reasons. Some high school students take courses, known as dual enrollment classes, at a community college to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. Other students are working adults who take classes to advance in a career or to change fields. A community college may offer specialized courses, such as personal enrichment classes for adults or summer educational camps for kids.
Among the advantages of attending a community college are close proximity, open acceptance policies, small classes, and lower costs. Many community colleges are funded in part by tax dollars from the local area. Other students attend community college simply to take classes related to their areas of interest or to increase their base of knowledge. Students usually need only be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Diploma (GED) to take classes — no entrance exam is required.
Many students also find that because of the smaller size of a community college, it is easier to receive individualized assistance from faculty. Some community colleges have expanded to include student activities and intramural sports activities. Generally, there are no time restrictions on a student's educational progress, as there might be at a traditional university.
Most community colleges are governed by a Board of Trustees or by a state university. The American Association of Junior Colleges, an advocacy group, was established in 1920. The name was changed to the American Association of Community Colleges in 1992.
Written by Cathy Rogers
