Will Community Colleges Become Tuition-Free?

While many young students often believe that a four-year degree will provide more excellent job opportunities and increased salary benefits, recent findings reveal that, in some cases, an associate's degree gives workers similar perks to their four-year graduate co-workers. In many careers, an associate's degree will provide students with enough preparation and experience to compete in the job market amongst other applicants with higher education degrees.

When deciding between pursuing a bachelor's or an associate's degree, students should reflect on their desired career pathway and then review the data and information to determine which degree will be the optimal vehicle for their professional destination.

Evaluating Time and Cost

Many students seek ways to cut higher education costs in times of increased tuition costs and tight economic constraints. For many students, pursuing an associate's degree may yield greater financial returns, as associate's degree programs may be completed in just two years. On the contrary, bachelor's degrees typically require four years of study; therefore, an associate's degree can sometimes cost $80,000 less than a bachelor's program. As an associate's degree can be completed in a shorter period, leading to a decreased tuition and coursework cost, associate's degrees can provide many students with realistic educational pathways to accommodate unique financial, scheduling, and other personal constraints.

Adding to the advantage of a shorter and less expensive educational opportunity, individuals who choose to earn their associate's degree can also transfer some of their credits to a university if additional coursework is

Many community college students enter their first year of higher education without a clear career pathway. In such cases, many students approach their impending graduation date only to realize their decided career choice requires additional education and certifications from a four-year university.

In such cases, many community college students can take advantage of roll-over opportunities, where cooperating universities accept community college coursework as transfer credit. By transferring credits, students can save money and time and often graduate from their chosen university with far greater efficiency.

Transferring Credits

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 71 percent of community college students intend to, at some point, pursue a baccalaureate degree. Adding to their data, studies from the Center reveal that approximately 20 to 50 percent of new university students are transferring students from a community college.

This brief video explains transferring credits from a community to a four-year college.

As a rising number of students are both interested and often required to pursue longer courses of study, many community colleges and universities strive to create more streamlined transfer programs to provide students with enhanced support.

Seeking Cooperating Institutions

When looking into transferring community college credits, experts assert that the earlier a student can make plans and arrangements, the better his or her transition may be. As eCampusTours supports, “Choosing a transfer school as early as possible

Whether students choose to study theater and performance as their major, or students simply want to pursue acting as a part-time hobby, community colleges provide students with an array of performance opportunities. With formal audience-based stage events, and small-circuit drama clubs, students can become involved in the study and practice of acting, drama, and theater by engaging in some of the diverse opportunities at local community schools.

Acting and Theater Opportunities

Seminole Community College (SCC)

At Seminole Community College, students can engage in an array of performance opportunities with the SCC Theater Program. Here, SCC “Combines the education and expertise of an outstanding faculty with a well-rounded curriculum that is built on the foundation of a liberal arts education.” During the instructional school year, students are provided with multiple opportunities to act and perform on stage, while students can also participate by working in one of the many technical positions. These hands-on opportunities are designed to provide students with faculty and expert guidance in order to prepare students for their futures in the performance arts.

As SCC asserts, the greatest benefit and advantage of their unique program is, “The opportunity for immediate student involvement both onstage and backstage. From set construction to sound design, we stress active participation from our tech students and those interested in performance.” If working on the technical elements of theater, students will gain experience by utilizing equipment, learning about the different responsibilities, while also learning the

As technology advances, creative career opportunities follows suit. Today collegiate students can explore an array of artistic-based career pathways as digital animation, advertising, commercial design, product labeling, and many other options become increasingly available. At the root of these new and innovative careers, however, is the foundational talent of an individual’s artistic ability. To foster these creative talents, community colleges across the country are gaining much-deserved recognition for their outstanding studio art programs.

Community College Studio Art Programs

Coffeyville Community College (CCC)

For students attending Coffeyville Community College, the artistically inclined can enroll in their renowned “Visual Arts Plan,” where an array of classes is taught by expert instructors. As the college explains, “The Art Department at CCC is a place where you can come and explore your creative side. It is a place where you can express your ideas in a variety of mediums.” Offering classes in ceramics, crafts, sculpture, drawing, painting, Photoshop, and design, students can navigate through the many potential pathways to find their own interests while honing their talents. At CCC, students have access to various art studios, all of which are equipped with the necessary tools and materials for both traditional and non-traditional mediums.

Adding to the extensive educational benefits, CCC art students are also provided with scholarship opportunities, where selected students are provided with tuition and/or book and material support. Furthermore, to celebrate student achievements and artistic creations, CCC exhibits student art around the