California's Community Colleges

California’s Community Colleges

We invited Karen Kautz from Long Beach City College to outline the benefits of beginning a higher education in California at one of the Community Colleges.

From all over the world, foreign scholars arrive in the United States to avail themselves of the high standards of American educational facilities. The California Community Colleges are accepting increasing numbers of foreign students as the advantages of beginning ones’ educational career at this level become apparent. Advantages include smaller classes, lower tuition costs, easier entrance requirements, flexibility of class schedules, orientation to American college, accessible faculty and staff, and a comprehensive education program.

The community college provides the first half, or general education requirements towards a baccalaureate degree. Sometimes called a "two-year college" or "Junior College", the community colleges are usually completed in a minimum of 2½- 3 years, by both international and American students.

Admission requirements are generally easier at the community college. Many universities request a 550 TOEFL, while community colleges require a 450 - 500 score. Tuition is considerably less. Students pay approximately $5,000 a year for the same courses that would cost them about $7,600 at a state university, or as much as $20,000 at a private university.

The community college offers two kinds of degree programs: career programs (Associate of Applied Science - A.A.S.) and transfer programs (Associate of Art - A.A. or Associate of Science - A.S.). Career programs prepare students to enter the work force directly from a two year school in fields such as computer technology, nursing, medical technology, travel and tourism, or basic accounting. When transferring from a community college in the same field of study, students with A.A. or A.S. degrees can expect to be accepted by state colleges and universities as third year students. Beginning at a community college allows you the flexibility to try different courses and, with counseling, select the institution for the baccalaureate degree.

Community colleges offer a wide variety of subjects (or majors) to study, everything from the fine and liberal arts, to practical, career-orientated fields, such as engineering and marketing. Class size at the community college is much smaller than at the university. Instructors are student-orientated versus research-orientated, and it is not uncommon for professors to know their students by first name, and even invite them into their homes for classroom, group, get-togethers.

In California, where there are 107 community colleges, there are agreements between the community colleges and eight University of California campuses, and between community colleges and the California State University, which has 22 campuses. These agreements virtually guarantee the student who successfully completes his community college work, admission at the higher level.

Because California community colleges are located in a variety of climatic and living conditions, schools vary due to their location. Academic levels and quality of instruction are comparable at most accredited institutions, so your personal preferences as to size, climate, and location play a key role in which school you choose. Most community colleges provide assistance with homestay situations, or assist students with economical housing or apartments, that are located a short bus ride, bike ride, or walking distance from the campus.

The community college offers a comprehensive education …. Community support, alumni support, and collegial faculty and staff. Many community colleges have a strong co-curricular program with special interest and social clubs. Community colleges with International programs will most certainly have a strong, active International Club where students socialize with other foreign scholars, and obtain assistance with everything from the application process, to counseling, tutoring, and help with transfer to a university. Many programs provide special counseling for international students, and require that they meet with them at least once each semester to discuss educational plans and academic goals.

With its’ many advantages, the community college serves as the most economical, flexible, accessible, and supportive educational institution in which to begin a successful, comprehensive collegiate experience in the United States.

The Author: Karen Kautz, Long Beach City College

This article first appeared in Studying Abroad magazine