What's exactly a community college?
Posted by Dazzling_Cabinet_780@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 13 comments
It's more akin to a career or to Profesional training cycles(like Spanish FP or German Berufsausbildung)?
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SBingo@reddit
Community colleges typically offer the first two years of university courses. They also often offer trades courses.
A common path would be: Graduate high school at 17 or 18. Study for two years at a community college. Earn an Associates degree. Transfer to a university. Study for two more years. Earn a bachelors degree.
In the US, most colleges require 1-2 years of general education coursework. When I was in university, I was required to have 60 hours of classes in math, science, social studies, English, arts, foreign language, humanities, etc. Each class is 3-4 hours. So 60 hours is about 20 classes. You typically take 4-6 classes per semester. These 60 hours of classes could be taken at community college for a lot less money.
Penguin_Life_Now@reddit
There seems to be some terminology being used interchangeably in the replies, in the US traditionally colleges offered 4 year degrees called Bachelors degrees, followed by post graduate master's and doctorate degrees. About 40 years ago colleges started offering 2 year "Associates" degrees in certain popular fields as a step between a trade school diploma and a full 4 year college Bachelors degree. These Associate degrees tend to be in more trade oriented fields (accounting, nursing, instrumentation, etc.).
This leads us to Junior Collages and Community Colleges, which are the terms being used somewhat interchangeably here, and in fact may have over timed morphed into mostly the same thing. Traditionally Junior Colleges offered no real degrees, but was a feeder program for larger Universities, allowing students to spend their first 2 years of a 4 year degree program taking the core classes at a Junior College before moving (often further away from home) to complete their degree at a larger University. These Junior Colleges were often cheaper than the Universities, and were located within commuting range of the students homes, vs the Universities perhaps being a many hour drive away. In recent decades many of these Junior Colleges have transformed more into Community Colleges, adding 2 year Associates Degrees to their programs.
By comparison traditionally Community Colleges, tend to offer both 2 and 4 year degree programs, though often only in certain limited ranges of degrees. While they may be used as a Junior College by some students as feeder program into a larger 4 year University, a traditionally community college has more of a focus on a complete educational path, though in often a limited number of fields.
This brings in a 3rd type of school in the US, a Trade School, these primarily offer diplomas, instead of Degrees, in things like Welding, Carpentry, Auto Mechanics, Book Keeping, etc. Though many of them do al offer some Associates degree programs, particularly in fields like Nursing.
Ok_Gas5386@reddit
Tertiary educational institutions that focus on associates (two year) degrees and certificates. They fill a utilitarian niche in the education system.
The degrees and certificates offered by community colleges provide useful skills, but may not be enough to enter a professional career path. The idea is that a bachelor’s (4 year) degree includes a broader theoretical background in the liberal arts and theory, which will be beneficial to the development of an independent professional. To what degree this just serves to enforce our class structure, it is hard to say. An example from my field, someone with a relevant associates degree might be a project manager for a construction company, a construction inspector, or a CAD technician, but in order to be a licensed professional engineer or surveyor you need a bachelor’s degree, as mandated by the state’s board of engineers.
Most states offer some kind of free community college, but often with some additional stipulations.
Interesting-Quit-847@reddit
You guys have free community colleges?
RamenLoveEggs@reddit
Additional things you might find at Community Colleges might be cooking, art classes, appliance repair, carpentry, classes in local/native language, art, culture, etc. it is also assumed you don’t need any specific background to take most classes. Some programs require admission, etc (like nursing, often a waitlist with some requirements). It is also usually very good value.
MmmIceCreamSoBAD@reddit
Much cheaper and less prestigious place to get the first two years of credits before you transfer those to a local university. They work with local universities to coordinate what classes you need, usually the local universities will have an office actually in the community college to answer questions and help guide students on what they need and to enroll in programs when the time comes.
Alternatively they also offer complete programs in other forms of employment. Like electrical or HVAC or automotive repair programs, often working with employers to place students in jobs after employment.
They also offer random classes that aren't intended to be used for degrees or certifications but for general learning. Like maybe a class on native American history, or a class on marketing strategies for small business owners.
orpheus1980@reddit
A community college is partly what you describe, like the German or Spanish system with trade training.
It is partly also a place where you can get a full bachelor's degree which won't be as highly valued on the market as a university degree, but will also cost a lot less. Some folks do first year or two of a bachelor's degree at a community college and then switch to a university. For personal or financial reasons.
The main thing differentiating a university from a community college I believe is that there is generally little to no academic research happening as community colleges nor is there an expectation of it. They are places whose only job is teaching. And where the tuition is low. And there are no dorms or a huge campus.
Otherwise-OhWell@reddit
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_college
Miserable_Smoke@reddit
Along with what others have said about trades, AAs, and transfers; they also often offer non-credit courses to the community, like swimming, or how to start a business. I've heard of some that offer the community memberships.to the school gym.
If you want to get your college education while working full time, they may offer night courses that are easier to access.
Mars_Bear2552@reddit
its a small college. usually catering to people who want to get a degree cheaply or enter trades (electrician, machinist, etc)
HandoAlegra@reddit
Community colleges are small local schools where you can get an associates degree that covers most of your general pre-requisite classes for higher-level programs like a bachelor's degree or nursing school.
Community colleges might also offer trades like vehicle mechanics, dental hygienist, or (aforementioned) nursing.
kejiangmin@reddit
Community College can be places were you can get speciality training like mechanics, a trade, or nursing.
But most commonly a community college is a place where you can get your basic required courses completed for a fraction of the cost of a university.
Normally these schools are smaller and cheaper. It is a really good stepping stone for a student who struggles with transferring to higher education Then after you complete your basic courses, you can transfer them to a 4 year institution.