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What Do You Do In Community College

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Popular Community College Certificates & Degrees

What Would You Do? – Introduction to Sociology – Roxbury Community College

Dont let anyone fool you, a four-year bachelors degree isnt always the answer. You can find yourself nestled in a satisfying career with a two-year associate degree. Community colleges offer these common forms of degrees.

  • Associate of applied science: If youre going into nursing, physical therapy as a technician, or occupational therapy as a tech, your degree will be in applied science. Its a degree specifically designed for students wanting to enter the workforce directly after they graduate. This option is most commonly pursued by students going into fields such as engineering, medical, or computer technology.
  • Associate of science: This is a STEM-related option, with a focus on the sciences such as biology, engineering, geology, math, and physics. Youll be highly prepared to move on to a four-year college, if thats what you decide to do. Otherwise, youll be able to find entry-level positions within your field of specialty.
  • Associate of arts: An AA is considered to be the first two years of a bachelors degree. More liberal arts subjects are covered when you study for your associate of arts degree. , criminal justice, early childhood education, fashion merchandising, or design are all part of your degree options.

Going to a community college may not have been the option presented to you as best growing up, but pay no attentionyouve just learned that, actually, a two-year degree opens up a huge world of opportunities:

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Who Makes A Good Community College Teacher

Someone who is:

  • Able to laugh and have a sense of humor
  • Thoughtful about interacting with people from diverse backgrounds
  • Excellent at oral and written communication
  • Highly knowledgeable about their subject area
  • Qualified with a masters degree in an education-related field, or a field related to the subject he/she teaches

Accreditation Requirements At Community Colleges

To determine the minimum requirements for your area, you can look at the regional accreditation agencies. Community colleges must meet these requirements in order to stay accredited. While not all colleges are regionally accredited, regional accreditation is normally required for classes to transfer, and most community colleges are regionally accredited so that they can be part of the larger system.

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To Get An Associate’s Degree Or Professional License

Community colleges are an ideal option for students who know they want to go into certain professional fields and are seeking the training or credentials to do so. Some of these occupations include nursing, medical assistants, police officers, engineering technicians, and dental hygienists, among many others.

As mentioned above, a few programs, like nursing and electrical engineering, may ask for certain prerequisites from applicants. Usually, these are specific math and science classes in high school and a minimum GPA. Otherwise, the programs are open enrollment.

While some students apply with the goal of an Associate’s degree or other certification, others enter community college intending to transfer after a year or more commonly, two years. These next three reasons apply to students looking to transfer and ultimately earn their Bachelor’s degree.

Maybe your GPA needs a workout before applying to 4-year colleges.

Why Do Students Choose Community College

Does Your School Matter?

Students apply to community college for a number of reasons. Some high school students choose a dual enrollment track, in which they take community college classes to fulfill high school graduation requirements. Some adult students return to school after working for several years to further their education or pursue a new degree or career change. While students at 4-year colleges tend to be around 18 to 22, the average age of students at community college is a little older at 28.

For the purposes of this guide, let’s go over the common reasons that students who are about to or who have recently graduated high school choose community college, starting with those looking for professional training.

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Can I Transfer Community College Credits To A University

When you take classes at a community college, youre likely curious about how to transfer community college credits. Many students who transfer from a community college to a traditional four year university are interested in taking their credits with them. When you transfer community college credits, youre making a smart move for both your finances and your education. A community college transfer is a great way to take the hard work youve done at community college and apply it to your four year degree.;

If you know from the beginning of your studies that youd eventually like to transfer from a community college to a four year university, talk with your advisor at the community college about how to prepare. You may also want to reach out to an admissions officer at your four year university of choice to learn more about how you can make yourself a desirable candidate for a community college transfer. Its a good idea to request to be put in touch with an academic advisor in the area youd like to study at the four year university. They can help you make sure that youll be able to transfer credit from community college so that they count toward your bachelors degree. They may also be able to advise you on what elective classes to take that will serve you well as you make the transition to a four year university.;

Increased Course Options And Availability

Students can take courses that are not offered in a particular semester or are in conflict with their course schedule at their four-year college. Two-year colleges also are more geographically accessible and offer more flexible schedules, often offering some courses year-round. In addition, four-year students can potentially reduce time-to-degree by taking two-year courses in the summer or outside of four-year class time.

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What Can I Study At Community College

If youre thinking about getting your degree at community college, youre making a smart move. Getting a degree at community college is a perfect way to further your career. When you attend a community college,;youll have the option to earn several two year associates degrees. Community college degrees can differ from school to school. Many people earn their two year community college degrees before moving on to complete two more years at a traditional university in order to get their bachelors degree.;

Lets take a look at some of the most common community college degrees among students today:

Certificates Earning a certificate is a great way to show your employer that youre serious about staying on top of the latest research and knowledge in your field. Many people earn certificates as a way to break into a new career field, while others earn certificates in order to advance in their career. Different certificates require different periods of study. Many certificates are available fully online, while others require an in person component. When youre looking for;types of degrees in community college and you come across certificates, remember that most employers dont consider a certificate to be an official degree. Rather, its considered to be an extension of the highest level of education youve completed.;

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Should I Go To Community College First The Big Takeaways

10 Things you Need to Know Before Community College

Going to community college first then university is a choice that thousands of students make every year. In this article, weve overviewed the pros and cons of going to community college then transferring to a four-year college.

To help you answer the question, Should I go to community college first, here are the three key takeaways from this article below.;

  • Community college is usually more affordable than four-year colleges. Students who want to start at a community college then transfer to university will have the chance to save thousands of dollars and gain adequate preparation for the academic standards of a four-year college. And, remember: there are financial aid options for community college students too!
  • Community college offers academic flexibility. Students with various skill levels and academic needs will be welcomed and accommodated at community college. Remediation, vocational training, professional certification preparation, and associates degrees for transfer to a four-year college are all available at community colleges. |
  • Community college prepares you to transfer to a four-year college. Repeat after us: Is it bad to go to community college then transfer? No, its not! In fact, this may be the most important takeaway: community colleges provide excellent preparation for academic success at a four-year college. Through community college, youll develop and enhance the skills you need to pursue a bachelors degree in the field of your choosing.;

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Flexibility Of A Community College Or Career Education Program

Community and career training schools offer students plenty of flexibility, both in terms of the major you can choose and whether you attend school full-time or part-time. Whereas 4-year universities may require students to study for their degrees on a full-time basis, many community colleges welcome part-time students. For additional flexibility, community and career school students can often find college classes online or at different campuses. Plus, youll find that these schools are often close to home, making them exceptionally convenient if youd like to live at home or save on commuting costs.

Advantages To Choosing A Community College Over A University

When high school seniors are deciding how to pursue higher education, they may not initially think of community colleges. But these schools shouldn’t be overlooked. Turns out, there are plenty of;community college benefits, and attending one can be an advantage for students before they move on to a four-year university.

Community college is a great fit for many students, and often better than going to a four-year college,” says Venkates Swaminathan, the founder and CEO of;LifeLaunchr, an online college planning and coaching service.

It can help students develop necessary academic skills, mature emotionally, and often lead to a more fulfilling, better-paying career,” he says, while also helping students reduce their debt load.”

So, if your college applications are looming, here are four key reasons to put;community colleges versus universities on your academic radar:

  • Cost: Community colleges are usually less expensive.
  • Flexibility: Class schedules can be more flexible.
  • Support: Students often receive more support during their transition from high school.
  • Career opportunities: Students can explore their interests and enter niche job markets.

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How To Teach At Community College

This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow’s Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 16,693 times.Learn more…

Teaching at a community college can be a great choice for academics or industry professionals who want to help grow the next generation in their field. Finding a teaching position at a community college isnt as simple as applying, though. You need an advanced degree, teaching experience, and a glowing interview to get the job. Most importantly, you need to be passionate about teaching, not just settling until you get a research job. Community colleges put teaching first, and they expect the same from anyone they hire.

Community Colleges Vs Universities

Did you know that we have student activities on campus? Do ...

Community college used to have a reputation of being less academically serious than traditional four-year universities. But a lot has changed in the world of community college. Most importantly, academic standards have risen, as have the qualifications of the teachers.

The choice of community college vs. university really depends on your overall plan for higher education. There are many benefits to beginning your college career at a community college. The quality of education is comparable to traditional institutions of higher education, tuition is more affordable and the schedule is more flexible.

Some students are still drawn to four-year universities, which offer many things a community college does not, including campus facilities, sports and a more robust student life. But as you’ll see, community colleges are changing the landscape of higher education and offering students many more options in pursuing their degree.

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Helping The Hungry And/or Homeless

  • Build a house with Habitat for Humanity

  • Donate your old clothes

  • Volunteer at a soup kitchen

  • Donate old eyeglasses to an organization that collects that and distributes them to people in need

  • Donate non-perishable food to a food bank

  • Donate blankets to a homeless shelter

  • Host a Thanksgiving dinner for people who may not be able to afford their own

  • Offer to babysit or nanny for a family in need

  • Make “care kits” with shampoo, toothbrushes, combs, etc. to donate to homeless shelters

  • Prepare a home-cooked meal for the residents of a nearby homeless shelter

  • Collect grocery coupons to give to a local food bank

  • Help repair or paint a local homeless shelter

  • Donate art supplies to kids in a homeless shelter

  • Help organize and sort donations at a homeless shelter

  • Babysit children while their parents look for jobs

  • Become a Big Buddy for children at a homeless shelter

  • Take homeless children on outings

  • Bake a batch of cookies or loaf of bread and deliver it to a soup kitchen

  • Build flower boxes for Habitat for Humanity houses

  • Organize a winter clothes drive to collect coats, hats, scarves, and gloves to be donated

  • Make first aid kits for homeless shelters

Why You Should Attend Community College For Fun

AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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Disadvantages Of Community Colleges

Transferring can be inefficient. Less than a third of students who plan to transfer move on to four-year colleges and universities within six years, according to a study by Inside Higher Ed.;When students transfer, they can lose credits because their courses dont transfer correctly or they took classes in community college that they didnt need for a bachelors degree program.

Money is tight. Community colleges receive $8,800 less on each enrolled student compared with four-year colleges and universities, according to analysis from the Center for American Progress. This can translate to fewer faculty members, advisors and resources for students.

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Community College Acceptance Rate

What can a community college do for you?

Only those who applied know how tough it might be getting admitted to college, especially coming fresh from high school having your hopes up. The 2018/2019 school year acceptance rate averages nationally at 77%, with public junior colleges averaging at 82% and the private ones at about 74%.;

South Carolina has the lowest acceptance rate for community colleges out of all states, averaging at 62%. On the other hand, the highest acceptance is in Florida, with 89%.

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What Are Community Colleges Like

Most community colleges are typically small, inclusive, and accessible to students of; all academic abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds. As a result, community colleges are designed to be flexible. Most students who attend them have work, family, or other responsibilities, so community colleges offer many night and online courses to help students reach their goals.;

Also unlike four-year colleges, community colleges dont really cultivate a typical college experience. Its unusual for community colleges to offer things like on-campus housing or Greek organizations. Instead, they tend to focus more on preparing students to successfully enter the workforce or get into a four-year college.;

Despite these differences, community colleges are still colleges, which means youll still be taking academically rigorous courses that will further what you learned in college. Additionally, Community colleges employ well-trained, highly educated faculty who are passionate about working with community college students. Part- and full-time faculty at community colleges will have masters degrees, and many, like Dr. Jill Biden, have doctoral degrees too! While having a community college professor whos also First Lady of the United States is rare, it is typical for community college faculty to be dedicated to their students.;

Community College Vs Vocational School Vs 4

Weve covered the top reasons why you might choose to start your higher education journey at a community college, vocational school, or four-year college. But we want to make it easy to evaluate all the pros and cons of each type of school side by side!;

To help you weigh these educational options with all the facts on hand, weve put together a table that maps out six important factors to consider as you choose a type of college.;

Check out the table below to compare the pros and cons of community college, vocational school, and 4-year college in terms of location, cost, financial aid, on-campus housing, commuter friendliness, and non-traditional students.;

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Helping Animals And The Environment

  • Take care of cats and dogs at an animal shelter

  • Clean up a local park

  • Raise money to provide a bulletproof vest for a police dog

  • Plant a tree for Arbor Day

  • Participate in the cleanup of a local river, pond, or lake

  • Foster animals that shelters don’t have space for

  • Organize a spay and neuter your pet program

  • Care for a neighbor’s pet while they are away

  • Sponsor an animal at your local zoo

  • Train your pet to be a therapy animal and bring it to hospitals or nursing homes

  • Build and set up a bird house

  • Organize a carpool to reduce car emissions

  • Campaign for more bike lanes in your town

  • Volunteer at a nature camp and teach kids about the environment

  • Test the water quality of a lake or river near you

  • Plant native flowers or plants along highways

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