Community college is an institution of higher education that offers additional education and training beyond high school. Community colleges, sometimes called junior colleges, offer a variety of programs. Most of the programs take two years to complete. Some students take the first two years of a program leading to a bachelor’s degree. Others take technical education programs that prepare them for the work force. Still other students take courses in what are usually called “adult education programs.” Most community colleges also offer courses for students who need additional preparation in basic skills. Community and junior colleges grant associate’s degrees for completion of two-year programs, and certificates for some specialized programs.
Most of the institutions called community colleges get financial support from local or state governments. Most of the institutions called junior colleges are privately supported.
The first junior colleges in the United States were established in the late 1800’s. By 1900, eight private junior colleges were operating. Joliet Junior College, established in 1901 in Joliet, Illinois, is the oldest public junior college still in operation.
By 1950, there were about 600 community and junior colleges in the United States. More than half of the colleges operated as part of the local public school system and shared financial support with all other schools in the system. Many of them used high school classrooms and equipment and offered limited educational programs because they lacked sufficient funds. As businesses and industries began searching for a better-educated work force in the 1950’s, many states and local communities increased their support of community and junior colleges. In the 1960’s, from 30 to 50 new community and junior colleges were established each year. In the early 2020’s, there were about 1,000 community and junior colleges in the United States, with about 10 million students.
How community colleges operate
Control and financing.
Most of the two-year colleges in the United States are public institutions. That is, they receive funds from local or state governments, or both. Some state universities operate two-year branch campuses. A few community colleges operate as part of county or district school systems.
Some two-year colleges are private institutions. Some of these colleges receive financial support from church denominations. The rest of these colleges receive most of their funds from tuitions, fees, and contributions.
Community colleges began receiving federal aid in the 1960’s. Federal funds help colleges in many ways. They may be used to build new buildings, or to set up vocational education or special education programs. Federal funds also provide loans and other financial aid to students.
Curriculum.
Community colleges offer two main types of programs. In one program, students take courses designed to fulfill the first-year and sophomore requirements that lead to a bachelor’s degree. These students must transfer from the community college to a college or university that grants bachelor’s degrees to complete their junior and senior years. Community colleges often partner with four-year colleges and universities to make the transfer and degree completion easier for students.
In the second main program, community colleges offer specialized training for the work force in such fields as industry and engineering, health services, business, and public service. Students in industrial programs train for such jobs as drafting and laboratory work. Health programs train students for careers as nurses, X-ray technicians, or other medical workers. Business programs may include training in computer technology and office management. Public service programs train students to become city planners, police officers, or other public employees.
Accrediting.
Most two-year colleges are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These same agencies accredit four-year colleges and universities. State boards of education also evaluate two-year colleges. Students attending two-year colleges approved by the state can easily transfer their credits to other colleges and universities approved by that state.
Faculty.
Community colleges usually require teachers to have at least a master’s degree. They prefer to hire teachers who would rather teach students in classrooms than conduct research in laboratories. Many community college teachers have taught in high schools, or in four-year colleges or universities. Some persons who do not have master’s degrees are hired as teachers because they have had special training and experience.
Why community college?
Importance to students.
One of the most attractive features of many community colleges is their wide range of technical training programs. About a third of the students who enroll at a community college continue their studies at a four-year college. Special occupational programs allow students to take only those courses that interest them or that qualify them for better jobs.
Many community colleges have an “open-door” admissions policy. This policy allows students who might not qualify for admission to other colleges to continue their education. Also, the relatively low cost of attending community colleges makes them an attractive option for students to complete the first two years of college before transferring to a four-year college or university to complete the bachelor’s degree. Students can often complete many of the core courses needed for a bachelor’s degree at the community college.
Community colleges are often called “commuter colleges.” Students within commuting distance may live at home and work at part-time jobs while they attend classes. Many community colleges have set up special programs for students who work during the day. The students may have classes until 10 or 11 p.m., or later. Evening classes are so popular that some community colleges have a larger number of evening students than they do day students. Some community colleges have established “weekend colleges” so that students can earn associate’s degrees by attending classes on the weekends.
Importance to community.
Many community colleges try to provide educational programs that will benefit local business, industry, and government. They may conduct surveys to determine what types of trained personnel the community needs most. They may also ask community leaders to help plan courses of study. For example, colleges in resort areas may offer courses in restaurant and hotel management, and colleges in rural areas may emphasize agricultural training. Some community colleges in large cities have developed special social and educational programs for disadvantaged minority groups. Many community colleges emphasize programs for older adults, including job retraining and cultural development.
Two-year colleges in Canada
Canada has about 150 two-year colleges and institutes. They are called regional colleges, institutes of technology, colleges for general and vocational education, or colleges of applied arts and technology. These colleges are organized much like U.S. community colleges. They offer job training and technical training programs, and academic programs like those that university students take during their first two years. Some programs take over two years to complete. The Canadian schools grant diplomas of technology or applied arts. They get funds from provincial or local governments, or both. Most of these colleges have been established since the early 1950’s.
