Community Colleges in the Oklahoma City Area

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is fortunate to have many educational institutions to choose from. Student can select from universities, votechs and community colleges. Community colleges are an excellent choice for students who want to complete their basic college courses at a lower tuition cost before transferring to a 4-year school. Student may also choose to complete 2-year degree programs that prepare them for a variety of careers. Three colleges to consider are Rose State College, Oklahoma City Community College, and Redlands Community College. In addition to traditional college educations, all three of these institutions offer a wide range of continuing education classes, seminars, workshops and other events that are open to Oklahoma City area residents.

Rose State College

Rose State College is located in Midwest City, OK, at 6420 S.E. 15th Street. The phone number is 405-733-7673 or toll free 866-621-0987. You can visit their Web site at www.rose.edu. Rose State has been open since 1970 and has expanded from its early days to its current size of more than 8,000 students and a campus covering 116 acres and consisting of 21 buildings. Rose State students can participate in a rich campus life, including athletics, clubs, student government and theater and music events.

Programs

Rose State offers courses and degree programs in five divisions: Business and Information Technology, Engineering & Science, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences. The business school includes programs in accounting, paralegal studies, computer/information technology and court reporting. The engineering and science school helps prepare students for further education in nursing, chemistry and engineering.

Students who want to get a degree leading to careers in dental hygiene, phlebotomy, radiology, nursing, respiratory therapy and as and EMT. The humanities department offers courses in music, theater and mass communication, including photography and broadcasting. Students can take courses in criminal justice, political science, sports sciences and environmental science.

Costs and Financial Aid

Basic tuition at Rose State is $64.50 per credit hour for Oklahoma residents and $226.50 per credit hour for non-residents. Some additional fees to expect include: $5 per semester for parking, a $7 Computer Information Systems Courses fee per course, a Student Activity Fee of $6.00 per credit hour, and a Student Facility Fee of $3.25 per credit hour.

Rose State participates in the Federal Financial Aid program. Student should use school code 009185 when filling out their FAFSA. In addition to loans and grants, students can participate in on-campus work-study programs. The college also offers some scholarships which the student will be considered for when applying and submitting the FAFSA.

Additional Information

Credits earned at Rose State transfer to many of Oklahoma's universities. Student should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure they take the right courses if they plan on transferring. They can also use the Oklahoma Course Equivalency Matrix to check on which courses transfer between which schools.

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City Community College, better known in the area as OCCC or "O Triple C," is located in south Oklahoma City at 7777 South May Avenue. It is easily found at the intersection of I-240 and May Avenue. The phone number is 405- 682-1611 and the Web site is www.occc.edu. The college opened in 1971 with just over 1,000 students and has grown into an institution that serves around 28,000 area residents each year. Like Rose State, OCCC offers its students the chance to participate in campus life through clubs and other activities.

Programs

OCCC is organized with six divisions: Arts & Humanities, Business, Information Technology, Health Professions, Science and Mathematics and Social Science. The humanities department includes courses in foreign languages, journalism, music, theater, film and graphic arts. Students can receive several associate degrees and certificates from the business division, including management, finance, banking, real estate and insurance. Students looking for careers working with computers can enroll in courses in the information technology division.

The health sciences division prepares students for careers as nurses, EMTs, occupational therapy assistants and physical therapy assistants. The science and math division offers much more than basic coursework. Fro example, students can pursue associate degrees in chemistry, physics or biology or complete their pre-dentistry, pre-medicine or pre-pharmacy coursework. Finally, the social sciences department offers classes ranging from sociology to child development.

Costs and Financial Aid

Basic tuition at OCCC is $84.00 per credit hour for residents and $224.00 per credit hour for non-residents. Additional fees may apply to music and other courses.

OCCC also participates in the Federal Financial Aid program. Student should use school code 010391 when filling out their FAFSA. In addition to loans and grants, students can participate in on-campus work-study programs. The college also participates in the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant and Oklahoma Promise.

Additional Information

Credits earned at OCCC may transfer to a number of Oklahoma and regional colleges, including the University of Oklahoma, University of Arkansas, Kansas State and University of Texas. Students should work with their academic advisor and use the Oklahoma Course Equivalency Matrix to check on which courses transfer between which schools.

Redlands Community College

Redlands Community College is located in El Reno, OK, at 1300 S. Country Club Road. The phone number is 405-262-2552 or toll free 866-415-6367 and their Web site is located at www.redlandscc.edu. Redlands is a relatively small community college but has been educating students in Oklahoma since 1938. Unlike most community colleges, Redlands offers student housing in addition to a full range of campus activities and programs.

Programs

Redlands offers courses and degrees in three divisions: Agricultural and Equine Sciences, Child Development, Criminal Justice, Developmental Math and Nursing. Students can pursue associate degrees leading to agricultural or winery careers in the agricultural department. These include farm and ranch management, equine science and horticulture. Students who want to work in or operate a child care center can earn a certificate or associate degree in child development. Studies in forensic science, juvenile justice and corrects are found in the criminal justice department.

The college also offers degrees in nursing, health technology, medical coding and medical transcription through the nursing division. Each of the school's divisions offers coursework to prepare the student to pursue 4-year degrees after their time at Redlands.

Costs and Financial Aid

Tuition at Redlands is broken down by on- and off-campus students as well as resident and non-resident:

*Oklahoma Resident-On-Campus Tuition is $96.75 per credit hour

*Oklahoma Resident-Alternative Ed/Off Campus Tuition is $111.75

*Non-Oklahoma Resident-On-Campus Tuition is $171.75

*Non-Oklhaoma Resident-Alternative Ed/Off Campus Tuition is $186.75

Additional fees apply to some courses, including some equine classes and EMT classes.

Redlands participates in the Federal Financial Aid program. Student should use school code 003156 when filling out their FAFSA. In addition to loans and grants, students can participate in on-campus work-study programs. The college also participates in the Oklahoma Promise program and offers scholarships.

Additional Information

Credits earned at Redlands transfer to a number of Oklahoma colleges. To help students decide which courses to take in order to maximize their transfer credits when transferring to a 4-year college, Redlands offers a transfer assistance program called TRIO. TRIO can also help students fill out college applications and prepare them plan campus visits.

All three of these community colleges have long-standing reputations for providing quality education at affordable prices. I have friends who started at Rose State and continued their education on through graduate school, receiving PhDs and medical degrees. What you do with an education at a community college is limited only by your imagination and willingness to work hard.

Sources:
www.rose.edu
www.occc.edu
www.redlandscc.edu