Options, Options, Options!
It's important to understand the different types of postsecondary school options. Most Careers can be earned through one, two, or a combination of these options. For example, a student can earn an Associate Degree at a 2-year college and then transfer to a 4-year University to complete a Bachelor's degree. Understanding all the options and how they are connected to each other is an important part of postsecondary planning. Don't get stuck in the thinking that 4-year Universities are the only option for you.
|
Technical school
|
Vocational vs. 2 year vs. 4 year
|
Military Academies
|
Vocational-Technical Schools and Programs
Technical schools and programs offer education and training that is specifically targeted to specialized areas within the employment domain. Technical College or training programs are designed to help students directly enter the workforce through the completion of the program. Most programs average between 6 months to 2 years. Career choices may require that students first obtain the specialized training that these programs offer before a reasonable job search can occur.
Students can access programs focusing on different occupational areas in both public and private vocational-technical schools. Examples include computer technician, nurse’s aide, geriatric medical assistant, broadcast technician, veterinarian assistant, plumbing, air conditioning, truck driving, barbering, or cosmetology.
It is important to make sure that the certification or degree that is earned is recognized by the industry and will ensure your student the position they want upon completion of the program.
Unlike four-year colleges and Universities, Voc-Tech schools do not have a minimum GPA to apply. Standardized entrance exams are not required. World language is not required for admission.
Two-Year Colleges
Students attend two-year colleges to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or an Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students who earn an AA degree may later transfer credits to a four-year college or university. Those who have earned an AAS degree (which is occupation-specific, such as automotive technician) may be able to transfer some credits earned to a four-year institution.
There are two different types of two-year colleges-public community colleges and private junior colleges. Public community colleges have open-admissions policies. These institutions are not typically residential. Private junior colleges often require entrance examinations or some level of equivalent work experience and/or extracurricular activities. Most are small residential schools; students live on campus or in the surrounding community.
Unlike four-year Universities, Two-Year colleges do not have a minimum GPA to apply. Standardized entrance exams are also not required. World language is also not required.
Four-year Universities
Students attend four-year colleges and universities to earn bachelor’s degrees by successfully completing the degree program. There are hundreds of these institutions to choose from, and they vary by size, admission criteria, academic standards, and what types of courses they offer.
Many four-year colleges and universities also have graduate and professional schools. Students interested in studying for a profession that requires more than a bachelor’s degree will attend a graduate or professional school in order to earn a master’s, specialist’s, and/or doctoral degree(s).
Four-year colleges and Universities have higher admission criteria than the others. Admission typically requires a B cumulative average or higher, a standardized entrance exam, and multiple years of world language.
Military Service Academies
The service academies are federal institutions that provide an undergraduate education and train future commissioned officers for service in the United States Armed Forces. Applying to a Military Service Academy is a rigorous, highly-competitive, and lengthy process only for the most determined and qualified candidates. Service academies routinely rank amongst the top universities in the nation. Students pay no tuition while at a service academy, but they are required to serve in the military upon graduation. Cadets and midshipmen will receive a small stipend while attending an academy as well as free room and board.
Technical schools and programs offer education and training that is specifically targeted to specialized areas within the employment domain. Technical College or training programs are designed to help students directly enter the workforce through the completion of the program. Most programs average between 6 months to 2 years. Career choices may require that students first obtain the specialized training that these programs offer before a reasonable job search can occur.
Students can access programs focusing on different occupational areas in both public and private vocational-technical schools. Examples include computer technician, nurse’s aide, geriatric medical assistant, broadcast technician, veterinarian assistant, plumbing, air conditioning, truck driving, barbering, or cosmetology.
It is important to make sure that the certification or degree that is earned is recognized by the industry and will ensure your student the position they want upon completion of the program.
Unlike four-year colleges and Universities, Voc-Tech schools do not have a minimum GPA to apply. Standardized entrance exams are not required. World language is not required for admission.
Two-Year Colleges
Students attend two-year colleges to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or an Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students who earn an AA degree may later transfer credits to a four-year college or university. Those who have earned an AAS degree (which is occupation-specific, such as automotive technician) may be able to transfer some credits earned to a four-year institution.
There are two different types of two-year colleges-public community colleges and private junior colleges. Public community colleges have open-admissions policies. These institutions are not typically residential. Private junior colleges often require entrance examinations or some level of equivalent work experience and/or extracurricular activities. Most are small residential schools; students live on campus or in the surrounding community.
Unlike four-year Universities, Two-Year colleges do not have a minimum GPA to apply. Standardized entrance exams are also not required. World language is also not required.
Four-year Universities
Students attend four-year colleges and universities to earn bachelor’s degrees by successfully completing the degree program. There are hundreds of these institutions to choose from, and they vary by size, admission criteria, academic standards, and what types of courses they offer.
Many four-year colleges and universities also have graduate and professional schools. Students interested in studying for a profession that requires more than a bachelor’s degree will attend a graduate or professional school in order to earn a master’s, specialist’s, and/or doctoral degree(s).
Four-year colleges and Universities have higher admission criteria than the others. Admission typically requires a B cumulative average or higher, a standardized entrance exam, and multiple years of world language.
Military Service Academies
The service academies are federal institutions that provide an undergraduate education and train future commissioned officers for service in the United States Armed Forces. Applying to a Military Service Academy is a rigorous, highly-competitive, and lengthy process only for the most determined and qualified candidates. Service academies routinely rank amongst the top universities in the nation. Students pay no tuition while at a service academy, but they are required to serve in the military upon graduation. Cadets and midshipmen will receive a small stipend while attending an academy as well as free room and board.