Courses in College

Be inspired by the gamut of community college courses, from the arts to technical training. This section will cover everything from remedial classes to continuing education. Community colleges offer courses for youth and teens, individuals looking for a new hobby or skill, or those behind bars looking for a second chance.

View the most popular articles in Courses in College:

Classes Behind Bars: Community College Takes Courses to Local Inmates

Updated
|
Classes Behind Bars: Community College Takes Courses to Local Inmates
We’ll look at a new program offered by Jackson Community College, as well as other programs around the country, that allow prison inmates to take community college courses to prepare for life after incarceration.

Community college has offered opportunities to many students throughout their history. In recent years, those opportunities have been extended to incarcerated populations, offering inmates the skills and training to find productive lives after prison. By bringing education to those currently in the prison system, the hope is that once they leave the system, they will never return. Does higher education in prison work as intended? Read on about the efforts by some colleges to transform incarcerated individuals for the better.

This video outlines how education for inmates produces beneficial results.

New College Program in Mississippi Aimed at Correctional Facility

A handful of inmates at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, Michigan, are getting a new lease on life. Fifteen prisoners at this institution are enrolled in a pilot program featuring college courses from Jackson Community College. The inmates are enrolled in four rounds of studies from the school, according to a report at mLive. Classes include a computer course, available through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The inmates themselves pay for the rest of the classes. Some are using money they saved before incarceration, while others are relying on friends and family to foot the bill until they are released and able to begin earning their living. Most prisoners are ineligible for financial aid from the government, and even those who have some eligibility have

. . .read more

The Benefits of Professional Certification from Your Local Community College

Updated
|
The Benefits of Professional Certification from Your Local Community College
Forget the degree! Many community college students are landing good jobs with just a community college professional certificate.

While many college students today are opting for a two-year degree over four years in school, there is an even shorter option to consider. Community college students are finding that certificate programs can be completed in much less time, yet reap the same employment benefits as a full degree program. Check out these benefits of professional certification from your local community college.

Consider the Statistics

While many are still out of work in the United States, millions of jobs remain unfilled. Why? There are no skilled workers to fill the slots, according to a report at CNN Money. Employers need workers who can come right into a position with the necessary training and experience. However, much of that training is not available through four-year universities. Instead, students must turn to schools that are providing the specific training employers in the community require. This is the important void that community colleges are learning to fill – and often through certification and licensing programs.

This video compares a professional certificate vs. a master's degree.

Fast Turnaround

Community college degree programs typically take around two years to complete, but certification programs can take significantly less time. AOL Jobs estimates that most certificate programs range in length from six months to one year. In addition, coursework for these types of programs is often offered in the evenings or on weekends for students

. . .read more

10 Great Community College Degree Programs for Introverts

Updated
|
10 Great Community College Degree Programs for Introverts
We’ll explore various degree programs for shy individuals who prefer to work independently, rather than in a team environment.

Plenty of degree programs offer a better fit for those who aren’t cut out for office politics and team-building activities. Introverts will find a wealth of options at their local community college that prepares them for jobs where they can fly solo much of the time. Whether your passion is art or analytics, check out these community college options to launch a career that fits you to a “T.”

Accountant

If crunching numbers is your forte, the job of an accountant may be a good option. This career, which can be launched with an associate degree, provides many opportunities, from balancing the books for small businesses to huge corporations. These professionals keep company ledgers up to date, pay bills, and file taxes annually. It is a job that requires inordinate attention to detail – and plenty of solo office time. According to AOL Jobs, the average annual salary for an accountant is $61,690.

Paralegal

Fascinated by the legal profession? Introverts who love dabbling in law but cringe at the idea of representing a client in a courtroom might enjoy the paralegal role. These professionals often enter the industry with a two-year degree that prepares them to analyze legal documents, conduct research for a specific client, and write briefs. The job can also be a way to get a foot in the door to other interesting positions within the legal profession. AOL cites the average annual salary for a paralegal as $62,853.

Technical

. . .read more

Fast Track Job Training Offered to Displaced Workers through Philadelphia Community Colleges

Updated
|
Fast Track Job Training Offered to Displaced Workers through Philadelphia Community Colleges
We look at how community colleges are using federal grant funding to get displaced Philadelphia workers back to work by training them for jobs that are open and waiting in some local industries.

Pennsylvania is a state with a high unemployment rate and a large number of frustrated displaced workers. It is also a place where numerous industries are unable to fill positions because of the lack of untrained workers. How does the state plan to remedy these two problems quickly and effectively? Thanks to recent federal funding into the state’s community college system, training for in-demand jobs is on the way for Pennsylvania residents that need those jobs the most.

What is JobTrakPA?

JobTrakPA is a new Pennsylvania program created with federal dollars from the Department of Labor. The agency recently awarded the state a $20 million grant through the Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training (TACT) program. The program allows displaced Pennsylvania workers to train for in-demand jobs within the state by pairing community college course offerings directly with the needs of the community. The program has awarded grants to states across the country that demonstrated a need for job re-training and the necessary resources to provide the right kind of training to displaced workers in the community.

“Pennsylvania employers tell us that they have jobs waiting for workers with career-specific skills in several high-growth industries,” Dr. Alex Johnson, president of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, told the Herald Online. “Community colleges are part of a nationwide effort to provide a new skill-set to our workforce that will create career pathways for qualified workers in the shortest possible

. . .read more

10 STEM Degrees You Can Earn at Your Local Community College

Updated
|
10 STEM Degrees You Can Earn at Your Local Community College
We highlight some of the best degrees offered by community colleges in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

With so much talk about the value of a STEM education today, many students have the misconception that a four-year degree is necessary to gain good employment in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, community colleges are also answering the call for STEM training, through associate degree and certificate programs that prepare students for in-demand jobs in these industries. Check out these 10 exciting STEM degrees you can earn right at your local community college.

A.S. Natural Science – Kapi’olani Community College

The ASNS degree program offered through Kapi’olani Community College in Hawaii is specifically designed to deepen STEM learning at the community college level. This program provides a basic overview of natural science, with a two-year degree that can be transferred to a four-year school after graduation. The program offers students the option of specialization in either Life or Physical Science, with a broad curriculum that spans the science field no matter which specialty path is chosen.

A.S. General Physics – Waubonsee Community College

Waubonsee Community College in Illinois offers an Associate of Science with a specialization in a variety of fields of study, including physics. Students that choose this academic path will complete coursework in general physics and mathematics, as well as classes in chemistry, life sciences, and physical sciences. The school also provides a list of STEM classes that have been approved by the National Science Foundation, which can be taken towards completion of this degree program.

Associate of Technical

. . .read more

Recent Articles

Healthcare Careers Hub
Healthcare Careers Hub
Discover the opportunities in the healthcare field. Your community college offers the courses and training you need to fill a job in this field that always seems to have openings.
The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College
The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College
Can you really have an authentic college experience while living off-campus? This article explores the pros and cons of campus housing for community college students.
Community Colleges: A to Z
February 21, 2024
Community Colleges: A to Z
Explore the diverse landscape of community colleges with our comprehensive guide, 'Community CollegeS: A to Z.' From academic programs to student support services, this article provides a look at everything community colleges have to offer.

Courses in College

REMEDIAL EDUCATION
60% of community college students need remedial courses. This section covers the classes and new developments to help students who need remedial coursework. Learn why the gap exists, how schools are combatting it and what you can do to avoid remedial classes. Get tips on mastering college math, learn what you can do to prevent repeating a class and hear what the experts have to say about remedial class placement.
Too Many Students Placed in Remedial Courses? Studies Say Yes
Too Many Students Placed in Remedial Courses? Studies Say Yes
Mastering Math: A Guide to Passing Your Community College Math Requirements
Mastering Math: A Guide to Passing Your Community College Math Requirements
Why Do 60% of Community College Students Need Remedial Coursework?
Why Do 60% of Community College Students Need Remedial Coursework?
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES
Local business are taking advantage of special training programs at community colleges. From OSHA training to a collaboration with Goldman Sachs, community colleges are training employees for small and large businesses across the country.
Calling All Entrepreneurs!  How Community Colleges Can Help You Start Your Business
Calling All Entrepreneurs! How Community Colleges Can Help You Start Your Business
OSHA Training at Community College: Making Workplace Safety Easier
OSHA Training at Community College: Making Workplace Safety Easier
Fast Track Job Training Offered to Displaced Workers through Philadelphia Community Colleges
Fast Track Job Training Offered to Displaced Workers through Philadelphia Community Colleges
FUN & ELECTIVE CLASSES
Community colleges offer a gamut of fun and interesting classes, and we give ideas that may strike inspiration for your elective choices. Learn homesteading skills, study paranormal investigating, or earn a scuba diving certificate all at a community college near you. This sections identifies some of the fun non-credit courses available at your local campus.
Studying Ghosts: Paranormal Investigation Courses at Community College
Studying Ghosts: Paranormal Investigation Courses at Community College
Learn Homesteading Skills at Your Local Community College
Learn Homesteading Skills at Your Local Community College
Choosing Electives for a Rounded Education
Choosing Electives for a Rounded Education
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Community colleges are filled with continuing education opportunities. Whether you are looking for a resume booster, new skills to earn a promotion or want to earn your degree while incarcerated, community college may be a good choice for you.
Retraining at Community Colleges: A Status Update
Retraining at Community Colleges: A Status Update
Should an Islam Class be Taught by an Islamophobe?
Should an Islam Class be Taught by an Islamophobe?