What Kind of College?

Forget ivy-covered walls and any other idea of college you may have picked up along the way. The institutions offering education beyond high school today are as varied as the subjects and students they teach. In general, though, they fall into three main categories.

Colleges and Universities (4-year)
These institutions generally offer four-year courses leading to a degree such as Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Sciences (BS). These degrees form the foundation for professions in fields such as law, medicine, education, and engineering. The schools or departments within a four-year university allow students to specialize in an area such as political science, accounting, social work, or music. Most also offer graduate degrees in some areas.

Community, Technical, and Junior Colleges (2-year)
Most of these institutions offer two years of study leading to an Associate degree or certificate of completion. In addition, most of the credits can be transferred to four-year colleges, especially those in the state or local area. They also offer technical programs and classes for people needing to update their skills. Many community colleges are supported by their county governments, and are less expensive than colleges or universities.

Vocational, Technical, Business and Arts Schools
These private schools prepare students for certain trades or vocations in dozens of specialized areas - welding, cooking, hair styling, business skills, sculpture and many more. Most programs lead to a certificate of completion; some offer specialized bachelor's degrees. The time needed to complete the course of study varies but usually is less than four years.

Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship combines formal education with on-the-job training. They offer practical and immediately useful skills for the labor market. It is also possible to earn money while learning the trade. Many common apprentice fields are: carpenter, electrician, plumber, steamfitter, welder, etc.