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:

Why Community Colleges are Cutting Friday Classes

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Why Community Colleges are Cutting Friday Classes
Learn about how budgetary constraints are prompting community colleges to only offer four-day school weeks.

While some community colleges are cutting costs by boosting tuition rates or reducing instructor positions, other campuses have found an alternative approach. In lieu of sacrificing community college resources, some schools are implementing summer programs that are only four days long.

Leaders of these programs assert that by closing the school one day early each week, the school will be able to save on common costs, such as electricity, water, air conditioning, security, and additional day-to-day expenses.

This new approach, however, is not taking effect without ruffling a few feathers. Opponents of this plan argue that both students and faculty will be overwhelmed with longer work hours that are crammed into a shorter time period. While leaders have not yet found the perfect solution, many community college students are awaiting the reports and results of these proposed schedule changes.

This video offers some suggestions for scheduling your class schedule.

The Four Day School Week

Community colleges have been inspired by how the corporate world has minimized their expenses in the face of a recession. To strengthen their bottom lines, many companies have offered their employees the option to work from home or work four days instead of the standard five. By allowing employees to complete their work in just four days, companies have discovered that their facility costs have dropped, while employees have also benefitted from saving money on fuel.

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A Dazzling Degree: How to Pursue Jewelry Design at Your Local Community College

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A Dazzling Degree: How to Pursue Jewelry Design at Your Local Community College
Learn about the dazzling jewelry programs and certificates that are available at your local community college campus.

For those who are artistically inclined, creative, and motivated, there are rewarding career options in the field of jewelry design. According to reports, a jewelry designer earns an average income of just under $29,000 in the first year of work! After just five years of work, a jewelry designer can begin to earn an average of approximately $54,000 per year—and potentially more. To begin an exciting and imaginative pathway in the field of jewelry design, students can start with programs at their local community college.

Jewelry Design Programs and Opportunities

Although many believe that the art of jewelry design simply involves aesthetic skills and training, this career actually incorporates technical understanding. For example, as inexperienced designers begin to craft their first pieces of jewelry, some of the pieces may be too heavy, may feel cumbersome to the wearer, or may not be made of a sustainable and durable material. Furthermore, some jewelry designers have learned to specialize in the creation of allergy-free jewelry, which is created with specific non-irritating materials.

Due to the industry’s technical demands, designers are often more successful when they have a trained background. With the rising interest in jewelry design careers, community colleges across the country are now offering both degree programs and individual courses to provide students with the essential skills to become successful in this field.

North Seattle Community College

Offering a Certificate in Jewelry Design, North Seattle Community College (NSCC) in Washington enjoys reputable

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Calling All Entrepreneurs! How Community Colleges Can Help You Start Your Business

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Calling All Entrepreneurs!  How Community Colleges Can Help You Start Your Business
Learn about the courses and resources available at your community college that can help you start the business of your dreams.

Despite a dwindling economy, many business experts believe there is still room for entrepreneurs. In fact, individuals with striking ideas that are budget friendly may be in for luck at their local community college!

If you have an idea for your own business and want to discover the secrets to entrepreneurship success, sign up at your local community college. With courses specializing in diverse fields, community colleges can help up-and-coming entrepreneurs refine their business concepts, set up their financial goals, and gain insight into the legal requirements of operating a company.

The Benefits between Community Colleges and Business

As the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) supports, community colleges have the opportunity to play an integral role in the economic wellness of a surrounding community. NACCE aims to boost the community college’s traditional role of workforce training into new and innovative forms of entrepreneurial development.

As NACCE explains, with a college’s ties to its community and a nationwide link to fellow colleges across the country, entrepreneurial opportunities result in “Innovative ideas and programs that advance economic growth and prosperity in the communities served by the colleges.” Community colleges can help stimulate job growth, economic development, and tax revenues for the local area by supporting entrepreneurs.

This video offers an overview of the MassBay Community College business program.

Community College Entrepreneur Programs

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How Community Colleges are Inspiring Young Girls to Soar to Success

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How Community Colleges are Inspiring Young Girls to Soar to Success
Learn about how community colleges are introducing programs that inspire young girls to achieve more academically, socially, and emotionally.

Understanding the learning differences between genders, community colleges are actively encouraging young women's full mental and emotional development. Many community colleges are creating new programs solely dedicated to providing young female students with leadership and role model opportunities.

Striving to boost young girls’ feelings of self-worth, confidence, and determination, community college programs for young females are available at local campuses across the country.

Community College Youth Outreach Programs

Many community colleges have created youth programs that are co-ed. For example, Corning Community College, located in Corning, New York, provides younger kids of any gender with an opportunity to celebrate their heritage with a local “Cook Kids” campus group. With this group, children can engage in various events, such as the “Cook Kids Young Spirit Dancers” venue, wherein participating children will wear an authentic Native American outfit from their family’s ancestry or tribal affiliation. Members of this particular youth group range in age from 3 to 24, and therefore, individuals of various backgrounds and maturity levels can interact and learn from one another. With such events, children can learn more about their history, grow in their identity, and boost their confidence and social relationships.

While these co-ed programs are certainly effective and positive, many campus leaders have realized that boys and girls may occasionally need separate opportunities to encounter success. Specifically, to provide girls with unique and individualized opportunities, an array of campuses have set up workshops, classes, and social groups to teach young females about the

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How to Earn Your GED and College Degree Simultaneously

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How to Earn Your GED and College Degree Simultaneously
How important is a GED to your future career and earning potential? Also, find out how you can earn both your GED and college degree simultaneously at your local community college.

For many Americans, withdrawing from high school before graduation leads to several closed doors. Without a high school degree, most Americans have traditionally been unable to pursue higher forms of education and obtain certain jobs. The bottom line is, to make a decent living, a high school diploma or equivalency and some college coursework are necessary.

Fortunately, community colleges across the country are striving to provide more programs to cater to the needs of non-high school graduates. Upon earning one’s GED, students can enroll in community college to pursue a variety of career and college degree opportunities. In some cases, both a GED and a college degree can be sought simultaneously.

The Short Path Without College

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, individuals who have not earned their high school degree stand to earn far less than individuals who have earned their high school diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or other advanced degrees or training. In fact, statistics show that high school graduates make, on average, over $7,000 more per year than workers who did not complete high school. Additionally, workers with an associate’s degree make about $7,000 more annually than those with a high school diploma. With reduced wages, pay, and benefits, individuals who do not graduate from high school are at a considerable economic and social disadvantage.

This video offers tips on preparing for the GED.

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Avoiding Dropout Factories: 10 Steps to Community College Success
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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.
Why Do 60% of Community College Students Need Remedial Coursework?
Why Do 60% of Community College Students Need Remedial Coursework?
Too Many Students Placed in Remedial Courses? Studies Say Yes
Too Many Students Placed in Remedial Courses? Studies Say Yes
Remedial Math Gets a New Look at Community Colleges Nationwide
Remedial Math Gets a New Look at Community Colleges Nationwide
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
Retrain For A New Career In Weeks? Yes!
Retrain For A New Career In Weeks? Yes!
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
Earn Your Scuba Diving Certification at Your Local Community College
Earn Your Scuba Diving Certification at Your Local Community College
Learn Homesteading Skills at Your Local Community College
Learn Homesteading Skills at Your Local Community College
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.
Should an Islam Class be Taught by an Islamophobe?
Should an Islam Class be Taught by an Islamophobe?
Retraining at Community Colleges: A Status Update
Retraining at Community Colleges: A Status Update