Different Paths to Choose at Community College in Order to Achieve Your Goals

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Whether your goal is to earn a vocational or technical degree and jump into the workforce as quickly as possible or begin working toward a bachelor's degree or beyond, you will be able to start your journey at a community college. You'll also have opportunities for shorter-term study through non-credit continuing education and workforce development programs.

• Path 1: Preparing for college-level courses. If you need help with the basics, as many students do, you'll be able to start out in courses that will prepare you for college-level classes.
• Path 2: Preparing for transfer. If you know you want to go on to a four-year institution, you can plan your studies in a transfer program so that you can continue to pursue a bachelor's degree. You can, of course, also decide to enter the workforce.
• Path 3: Preparing for the world of work. If you've already got your sights set on entering the job market, you can focus on a more career-oriented program in a vocational or technical program. Short-term certificate programs can also jumpstart your entry into the job market. (You can also choose to transfer to a four-year institution, but that's not the main purpose of this coursework"see below).
• Path 4: Learning for life and work. If you start off taking non-credit courses in continuing education and workforce development programs for personal enrichment, general knowledge, or to improve your work skills, you may be motivated to enroll in a degree or certificate program.

Path 1. Preparing for College-Level Courses

If you need assistance with basic skills such as reading, writing, English composition, mathematics, science, or English as a Second Language, as many new students do, you'll be required to take some of these courses before enrolling in college-level courses.

Community colleges offer basic skills coursework, also called developmental education, plus learning resource centers and specially trained staff who will help you prepare to enroll and succeed in regular college-level coursework. If you're a returning adult, the department of continuing education can also be a way to catch up on basic skills, take English-as-a-Second Language courses, or complete your high school diploma or GED (usually necessary to be admitted to the college to take for-credit courses).

Usually, these types of basic skills courses are non-credit courses; that is, they do not count toward the number of credits you need for a degree or certificate. If you need this type of instruction, even if it's only one or two courses, it will be your first step toward enrolling in college-level courses and earning a degree or a certificate.

Once you pass the necessary requirements, you'll be prepared to follow whatever path you choose to a career or to additional education at a four-year institution. 

Path 2. Preparing for Transfer

Preparing students to transfer to a four-year institution is one of the most important jobs of community colleges. Many, if not most, community colleges have transfer agreements called articulation agreements with four-year institutions. These agreements allow course credit earned at community college to be accepted or transferred and applied to a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution. (See Chapter 10 for more information about transferring.)