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Types of Colleges |
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What types of colleges
More than half of all recent high school graduates in the United States pursue some type of postsecondary education. In many other countries, a smaller percentage of students go on for more schooling after high school. However, in America, recent surveys show that most parents want their children to get some college education. There is a wide range of higher education options in the United States. For this reason, your child is likely to find a college well-suited to his or her needs. There are two basic types of post-secondary education institutions:
Community, Technical, and Junior Colleges Colleges with programs that are less than four years in length are often called community colleges, technical colleges, or junior colleges:
Technical Colleges: These are generally colleges that have a special emphasis on education and training in technical fields. However, although some technical colleges offer academic courses and programs, not all technical colleges offer two-year programs that lead to an associate of arts or science degree. Technical colleges may be private or public. Junior colleges and community colleges that offer many technical courses are often called "technical colleges." Junior Colleges: These are generally two-year colleges that are private institutions. Some junior colleges are residential and are attended by students who come from other parts of the country. Some programs at two-year colleges lead to an A.S. or A.A. degree in an academic discipline. These academic programs are often comparable to the first two years of a general academic program offered by a four-year college or university. In many cases, two-year degrees can be transferred to four-year schools and credited toward a B.A. or B.S. degree. Many junior and community colleges offer technical/occupational training, as well as academic courses. For example, many cardiovascular technicians, medical laboratory technicians, and computer technicians received their education and training at junior colleges, community colleges, and/or technical colleges. Many junior, community, and technical colleges offer technical programs in cooperation with local businesses, industry, public service agencies, or other organizations. Some of these programs are formally connected to education programs that students start in high school; they are often referred to as "tech-prep" or "school-to-career" programs. [Footnote: These "school-to-career" or "tech-prep" programs often provide students with an opportunity to learn new skills by working for a local employer and by taking high school courses that link with courses offered at local colleges.] Two-year colleges such as community colleges often operate under an "open admissions" policy that can vary from school to school. At some institutions, "open admissions" means that anyone who has a high school diploma or GED certificate can enroll. At other schools, anyone over 18 years of age can enroll or, in some cases, anyone deemed able to benefit from the programs at the schools can enroll. Application requirements at colleges with two-year programs and shorter programs may include a high school transcript -- a list of all the courses your child took and grades earned in four years of high school -- and college entrance examination scores as well. Some schools have programs that allow "open admissions," while other programs in the same school -- particularly in scientific or technical subjects -- may have further admission requirements. Since requirements vary widely, it is important to check into schools and programs individually. Four-Year Colleges and Universities Students who wish to pursue a general academic program usually choose a four-year college or university. Such a program lays the foundation for more advanced studies and professional work. Four-year colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees (the B.A. and B.S.) in most areas in the arts and sciences, such as English literature, foreign languages, history, economics, political science, biology, zoology, chemistry, and in many other fields.Here are the main differences between four-year colleges and universities:
Universities: These are postsecondary schools that include a college of arts and/or sciences, one or more programs of graduate studies, and one or more professional schools. Universities confer bachelor's degrees and graduate and professional degrees. When a student earns a bachelor's degree it means that he or she has passed examinations in a broad range of courses and has studied one or two subject areas in greater depth. (These one or two subject areas are called a student's "major" area(s) of study or area(s) of "concentration.") A bachelor's degree is usually required before a student can begin studying for a graduate degree. A graduate degree is usually earned through two or more years of advanced studies beyond four years of college. This might be a master's or a doctoral degree in a particular field or a specialized degree required in certain professions such as law, social work, architecture, or medicine. What kinds of jobs are available to college graduates? Certificates and degrees earned by graduates of two-and four-year colleges or universities usually lead to different kinds of professional opportunities. Many professions require graduate degrees beyond the traditional four-year degree, such as a medical degree or a law degree. For example:
In Chart 1 below there is a partial listing of different occupations and the educational background generally required or recommended for each. Some people who go on to acquire jobs in the four-year-college column obtain a graduate degree or some graduate education, but many of these jobs can be filled by people who do not have more than a four-year college education. For more information on the educational requirements of specific jobs, contact a guidance counselor or check the Occupational Outlook Handbook in your library.
From: "Preparing Your Child for College" Copyright© 2000-01 The U.S. Department of Education, All Rights Reserved | ||||||||
