Community Colleges in New York City

David Christopher, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Apr 29, 2009 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

If you are looking to pursue an associate's degree in New York City as a stepping-stone to a bachelor's degree, to switch careers, or just to learn something new, you have a few options. Community colleges in the city are part of The City University of New York (CUNY) system, the city's public university. CUNY is comprised of two-year and four-year colleges, as well as masters and doctoral-degree granting institutions. Tuition is uniformly set by CUNY; it currently stands at $1,400 dollars per semester for a New York State resident attending college full-time. For a part-time resident, in-state residents pay $120 dollars per credit. Out-of-state residents pay $190 dollars per credit, whether they attend full- or part-time. CUNY's website has more information about tuition and fees as well as other estimated costs students will have to shoulder to attend school in New York City here.

Below is a brief overview of the city's community colleges.

Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY:

Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) is located in Lower Manhattan (their official address is 199 Chambers Street, New York, New York 10007). BMCC also offers courses at several satellite locations. It is within walking distance of the 1, 2, 3, N, R, J, M, A, C and E subway lines, and is situated near Stuyvesant High School, New York City Hall, and Washington Market Park. Click here for directions.

BMCC enrolls almost 20,000 students in a variety of degree programs. The school offers Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees in Accounting, Business Management, Computer Information Systems, Computer Network Technology, Health Information Technology, Multimedia Programming and Design, Nursing, Office Automation, Office Operations, Paramedic, Respiratory Therapy, Small Business/Entrepreneurship, and Video Arts and Technology; Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees in Child Care/Early Childhood Education, Computer Science, Engineering Science, Human Services, Mathematics, Science, and Theatre; Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees in Bilingual Childhood Education, Business Administration, Childhood Education, Liberal Arts, and Writing and Literature; and certificates in Office Automation.

64% of the school's students attend full-time. The median age of all students is 23.8. 38% of the students are Black, 30% are White, 12% are Asian, 10% are White, and 10% are Other, according to self-reported data. BMCC offers qualified students a number of scholarships to defray the costs of tuition. Click here for more scholarship information.

BMCC has men's baseball, basketball, and soccer teams, and women's basketball, soccer, swimming, and volleyball teams. The school is also home to the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

More information on admissions can be found here.

LaGuardia Community College:

LaGuardia Community College ("The World's Community College") is located in the Long Island City section of Queens (31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, N.Y. 11101). It is within walking distance of the E, V, G, R, 7, N, and W trains. It is also near SculptureCenter, P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, andSilver Cup Studios.Click here for complete travel directions.

LaGuardia enrolls over 15,000 students, who can earn A.A.S degrees in the following fields: Accounting, Accounting & Computers, Administrative Assistant, Business Finance, Business Management, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, International Business, Travel & Tourism, Commercial Photography, Digital Photography, Fine Arts, Commercial Foodservice Management, Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic, Mortuary Science, Nursing, Veterinary Technology, or Paralegal Studies. Or they can earn A.S. degrees in Business Administration, Fine Art Photography, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, School Foodservice Management, Dietetic Technician, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, School Foodservice Management, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Mathematics, or Science. They can also earn A.A. degrees in Media Studies, Theater and Communication, Childhood Education, Education Associate: The Bilingual Child, Secondary Education, Gerontology, Human Services, Mental Health, Labor and Community Organizing, Deaf Studies, Humanities, International Studies, Latin American Studies, Liberal Arts & Sciences, or Social Science. LaGuardia also offers certificates in Practical Nursing and Word Processing.

Named for former New York City Major Fiorello LaGuardia, the school's student body is 63% female, 19% Asian, 17% Black, 35% Hispanic, 13% White, 4% Other, and 19% Unknown, according to LaGuardia's institutional profile. Qualified students can apply for scholarships to defray tuition costs.

Click here for more admissions information.

Queensborough Community College:

Queensborough Community College is in the Bayside area of Queens (22205 56th Ave, Bayside, NY 11364). Complete travel directions are available here.

Enrolling more than 15,000 students, Queensborough offers A.A. degrees in Education, and Liberal Arts and Sciences. They also offer A.S. degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Engineering Science, Environmental Health, Fine and Performing Arts, Gallery and Museum Studies, Health Science, Mathematics and Science, and Science for Forensics. They offer A.A.S. degrees in Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Management, Office Administration and Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Telecommunications Technology, New Media Technology, Digital Art and Design, Laser and Fiber Optics Technology, Massage Therapy, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Medical Office Assistant, Computerized Architectural and Industrial design, Music Electronic Technology, and Nursing. They also offer certificate programs in Computer Information Systems, Computerized Architectural Design and Drafting (CAD), Computerized Manufacturing Technology, Day Care Assistant, and Health Care Office Administration.

Queensborough is home to a number of sports teams: men's baseball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's swimming, men's soccer women's softball and women's volleyball.

Click here for more information on how to become a Queensborough Community College student.

Kingsborough Community College:

Kingsborough Community College is located at Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn New York (2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11235-2398). It overlooksSheepshead Bay, Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Click here for complete travel directions.

Kingsborough serves 20,000 students, 60% of whom are female and 40% of whom are male. The student body is approximately one-third black, 40% white, 11% Asian, and 14% Hispanic; half of students are full-time and half are part-time. Students can join the men or women's outdoor track and field team, the men's baseball, soccer or basketball team, the women's basketball, volleyball, or tennis team.

Students can earn A.A. degrees in Liberal Arts and Criminal Justice; A.S. degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Community Health, Computer Science, Educational Studies, Engineering Science, Exercise Science/ Personal Training, Fine Arts, Journalism and Print Media, Mathematics, Mental Health and Human Services, Performing Arts, Physics, or Speech Communication; A.A.S. degrees in Accounting, Broadcasting Technology and Management, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Early Childhood Education/Child Care, Education Associate, Graphic Design and Illustration, Maritime Technology, Nursing, Office Administration and Technology, Physical Education, Recreation and Recreation Therapy, Physical Therapist Assistant, Retail Merchandising, Surgical Technology, Tourism and Hospitality or Website Development & Administration; or certificates in Entrepreneurial Studies, Exercise Science/Personal Training, or CASAC.

Click here for more admissions information.

Bronx Community College (BCC):

Bronx Community College is located in the University Heights section of the Bronx (2155 University Avenue, Bronx, New York 10453). Click here for complete directions.

The student body, of approximately 9,000, is 62% female and 38% male. 53% are Hispanic, 37% are Black, 3% are white, and 3% are Asian. Students at BCC can join the men's baseball, men's basketball, men's soccer, women's volleyball, women's soccer, track and field, cross country, indoor track or outdoor track teams. The school also houses the original Hall of Fame for Great Americans, a track and baseball field, an Olympic size pool, a dance studio, a dojo, and media facilities featuring a multi-million dollar television studio.

BCC offers A.A. degrees in Criminal JusticeandLiberal Arts and Sciences; A.S. degrees in Business Administration, Community/ School Health Education, Computer Science, Dietetics and Nutrition Science,Engineering Science, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Mathematics, Sciences for Forensicsand Therapeutic Recreation; A.A.S. degrees in Accounting, Automotive Technology, Computer Information Systems, Digital Arts, Education Associate, Electronic Engineering Technology, Energy Services Technology,Environmental Technology, Human Services, Marketing Management, Media Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Office Assistant, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Nursing, Office Administration and Technology, Ornamental Horticulture, Paralegal Studies, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology, Radiologic Technology, and Telecommunications Technology; and certificate programs in Animal Care and Management, Assistant of Children with Special Needs, Automotive Technician, Bilingual Early Childhood Assistant, Early Childhood Assistant, Licensed Practical Nursing and Paralegal Studies.

More admissions information can be found here.

Hostos Community College:

Named for Puerto Rican writer and educator Eugenio María de Hostos, Hostos Community College is located in the Bronx, New York (500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451). Hostos is within walking distance of the 2, 4 and 5 trains. Click here for complete travel directions.

Hostos offers A.A. degrees in Liberal Arts and Criminal Justice; A.S. degrees in Business Management, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Community Health, Electrical Engineering Science, Science for Forensic Science and Liberal Arts & Sciences; A.A.S. degrees in Accounting, Dental Hygiene, Teacher Education, Gerontology, Microcomputers for Business, Nursing, Office Technology (Medical Office Manager), Public Administration, Public Interest Paralegal Studies and Radiologic Technology, and certificate programs in Community Health, Practical Nursing (LPN), and Office Assistant.