Answers about associate degrees

What exactly is a community college?
“We define a community college as a regionally accredited two-year college that offers the associate degree as it primary credential,” says Norma Kent, vice president of communications for the American Association of Community Colleges in Washington, D.C. “We consider junior college, technical college and community college the same if they meet the previously stated criteria.”

Why should I consider a two year community college?
If you are not ready for a four-year college, would rather attend school closer to home or are looking for skills that will get you into the workforce soon, consider enrolling in a cormmunity college. A community college can offer you:

• Job training
Use a two year community college to get into fields such as health care, technician jobs, culinary arts, firefighting and more.

• Less-expensive education
Community college is also affordable—half of expensive as the tuition at your average public four-year school, according to figures from The College Board.

• Small classes
Smaller classes are also common in community colleges, which can help you get the extra academic push in the classroom.

• Help transferring
At a two year community college, you can also prepare to transfer to a four-year university. Ask your adviser about articulation agreements, which spell out the classes that will transfer to particular four-year schools.

“Research studies show that students who attend college and then transfer to a four-year university perform as well over time as students who start at university,” says Kent.