How community colleges operate

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 322.

Control and financing. Most of the two-year colleges in the United States are public institutions. That is, they receive funds from local or state governments, or both. Some state universities operate two-year branch campuses. A few community colleges operate as part of county or district school systems.

Some two-year colleges are private institutions. Some of these colleges receive financial support from church denominations. The rest of these colleges receive most of their funds from tuitions, fees, and contributions.

Community colleges began receiving federal aid in the 1960's. Federal funds help colleges in many ways. They may be used to build new buildings, or to set up vocational education or special education programs. Federal funds also provide loans and other financial aid to students.

Curriculum. Community colleges offer two main types of programs. In one program, students take courses designed to fulfill the freshman and sophomore requirements that lead to a bachelor's degree. These students must transfer from the community college to a college or university that grants bachelor's degrees to complete their junior and senior years.

In the second main program, community colleges offer specialized training for semiprofessional jobs in such fields as industry and engineering, health services, business, and public service. Students in industrial programs train for such jobs as drafting and laboratory work. Health programs train students for careers as nurses, X-ray technicians, or other medical workers. Business programs may include training in data processing, computer technology, and office management. Public service programs train students to become city planners, police officers, or other public employees.

Accrediting. Most two-year colleges are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agenciesrecognized by the U.S.Department of Education. These same agencies accredit four-year colleges and universities. State boards of education also evaluate two-year colleges. Students attending two-year colleges approved by the state can easily transfer their credits to other colleges and universities approved by that state.

Faculty. Community colleges usually require teachers to have at least a master's degree. They prefer to hire teachers who would rather teach students in classrooms than conduct research in laboratories. Many community college teachers have taught in high schools, or in four-year colleges or universities. Some persons who do not have master's degrees are hired as teachers because they have had special training and experience.