Community Colleges - a Smart Way to Go

While spending four years at a prestigious university has its appeal, more and more students are discovering just how smart it is to complete their first two years of college study at inexpensive, local community colleges. An associates degree from a two-year institution generally fulfills all the lower-division (freshman and sophomore general education requirements) when transferred to a four-year college or university, allowing the student to enter with junior class standing and focus on his/her major.

However, many community colleges also offer certificate programs as well. Those who wish to enter the job market in a short period of time or need to train for a new career quickly will find certificate programs that can quickly prepare a candidate for employment as a paralegal, medical or nursing assistant, teachers' aid or other entry-level occupation. Community colleges also offer computer training that can transfer to nearly any skilled occupation today, virtually all of which require some degree of cyber literacy.

Most who attend two-year colleges however are seeking an associate of arts degree. Essentially, coursework leading to an associates degree consists of basic academic courses in mathematics, language and social and lab sciences. The advantage is mainly cost; an associates of arts degree can be completed for substantially less than two years of lower division coursework at a university or four-year college.

Of course, a 2 year degree taken at one of the many local community colleges in your state also allow one to complete those initial years of post-secondary education close to home. If there is no community college nearby, it may still be worthwhile to travel to the nearest town or city in which such an institution is located. If you must go to a neighboring state - for example, you live in Hermiston Oregon, but the nearest community college is in the Tri-Cities metro area of Washington State a few miles away - you'll be interested to know that many of these colleges have reciprocity agreements, meaning such a student will not be required to pay out-of-state tuition and fees (which can be considerable).

Between the associates degree and numerous certificate programs from which to choose, community colleges represent the fastest, most economical and efficient ways to complete a two year degree; check out the various educational opportunities available to you today.