New Poll: What Americans Really Think of Community Colleges

Community colleges have always been at the forefront of training students for both traditional and innovative careers... and ghost-busting is no exception! Indeed, a handful of community colleges have offered paranormal studies to train students in the interesting field of ghost-busting.

While these courses are generally offered as continuing education or personal enrichment rather than degree programs, they continue to generate interest in 2026. Thanks to the popularity of paranormal television series, podcasts, YouTube channels, and local ghost tours, community education departments continue to receive interest from students curious about paranormal investigation, local history, and investigative techniques.

Be spooked or inspired by the paranormal studies available at the following community colleges. Could researching ghosts be the right career choice for you? For most students, these classes are less about preparing for full-time employment and more about exploring an unusual hobby while learning investigative and research skills.

Students interested in other unique educational opportunities may also enjoy Community College Review's articles on 10 Fun Non-Credit Courses Offered by Community Colleges and Why Should You Take Elective Courses at Community College?.

Ivy Tech Community College

This Indiana institution is known for many strong fields of study, but it also gained national attention for adding paranormal investigation courses to its continuing education catalog. These courses were designed to explore the world of paranormal behavior in a way rarely seen in higher education.

The teacher of the course,

Cosmetology has traditionally been the realm of trade schools that specialize in training and licensing hair stylists, nail technicians, and skin care specialists. Many of the current trade schools are directly tied to a specific product brand, such as the Aveda chain of training institutes. However, the face of cosmetology is changing - and not just with new makeup skills. Today, cosmetology programs are expanding into community colleges that recognize a background in basic business principles, as well as cosmetology training, will help graduates move into and advance in the field of cosmetology.

Career Outlook for Cosmetology

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the general job outlook for the field of cosmetology is favorable, with employment expected to grow at a faster than average rate in this industry. The industry is also considered one of the few recession-proof areas in which to work today. Cosmetology may incorporate the following positions:

• Barbers who are responsible for cutting and styling men's hair
• Hairdressers and stylists who cut, shampoo, and style hair
• Manicurists and pedicurists that work specifically with polishing nails and applying extensions
• Estheticians or skin care specialists that offer facials and full body treatments

Nearly all of these positions will require licensure by the state in which the individual will work, although specific requirements vary by location and position.

This video explains the pros and cons of being a cosmetologist.

Bringing Business to Cosmetology

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For many high school graduates interested in the armed services, enlisting right after graduation is the obvious option. However, the decreasing numbers in our armed services today have left many of the divisions ill-equipped for the training regimen of new recruits coming into the programs.

Community colleges across the country have stepped up to shoulder some of the additional load, offering courses specifically geared to military personnel in all armed services branches.

It is not unusual for community colleges to answer the occupational calls of our country today. Many colleges are now providing training in industries that need more employees, filling the needs of companies while giving individuals opportunities to step into recession-proof careers. However, the idea of providing military training is catching on, as community colleges offer the specialized training new recruits need to handle the responsibilities of the armed services today.

This video explains how you can do your military training and go to college.

Training in San Diego

San Diego City College is at the forefront of military training in an academic setting. According to a report at Sign on San Diego, this college received a very humble start in training military personnel in the 1970s, offering them math and English classes to supplement their military training. Today, the college offers a nationwide network that employs nearly 500 instructors, many of whom were former service members themselves.

Increasing financial aid has made the community college track more affordable today. However, students who have been awarded financial aid are quickly finding that getting approved for financial aid and getting a check to pay for mounting expenses are not necessarily the same.

The Backlog

Community college financial aid offices are getting inundated with financial aid applications this year as more students are finding reasons to head to these two-year institutions to prepare them for the workforce. At the same time, budget cuts are reducing the number of staff available to process this expansive number of applications. The result at many community colleges is a backlog of requests that will take many weeks to process.

This is not good news for thousands of community college students who rely on those financial aid checks to pay for basic necessities like food and rent and the cost of tuition and books. If the checks don't arrive timely, some students are faced with the realization that they may not be able to live up to their lease obligations, purchase the textbooks they need, or put food on the table. Some may be forced to abandon their education if financial aid doesn't come soon.

This video explains how (FAFSA) works.

Offering Assistance

In some cases, the colleges do what they can to help cash-strapped students eke by until the aid check arrives. Some colleges