With each new technological revolution it becomes more apparent how important education is. There are many different options and with the advent of new technologies a person can schedule courses around their busy schedule, and even take classes in the comfort of their own home.
Community Colleges
Community colleges are the bridge between High school and the road to higher education. Many community colleges promote advanced placement programs that start at the high school level that offer motivated and gifted students an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. Community colleges are often considered an affordable option to earn general education credits before attending an upper division school or university. Many community colleges offer programs and certificates that help working adults hone their skills for the ever changing work environment.
Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges offer courses that range from language studies to sciences, such as sociology and Psychology. Liberal arts colleges focus on developing a student’s intellectual capacity by providing them with a strong general knowledge foundation and helping them develop strong critical analysis skills. Generally Liberal Arts Colleges are smaller than universities and community colleges which leads to smaller class sizes and a more personalized educational experience
Online Learning
The internet revolution has given rise to an online learning community. Online courses are a convenient way for working professionals to continue a course of study or begin a new one while still earning an income. Because of its versatility and profitability online learning has quickly become a standard in most, if not all, establishments of higher education. Online learning options are even popping up for students attending elementary through high school offering parents an alternative to the public education system.
When looking into an online learning it is important to do a lot of research. The convenience and versatility of online learning lends itself to the creation of less reputable schools that are often not accredited, but offer courses at discounted prices. Coursework offered by accredited universities and colleges are generally the safest option. Online courses can range from certificates through doctoral programs. The higher level of degree the higher the likelihood that the coursework would require a mix of online courses and conventional campus course work, although it is becoming more common place to find complete programs online.
Public vs. Private
Public universities and colleges are often subsidized by either the state or federal governments and usually offer residents of the state a reduced tuition. Many public universities rank in the list top schools in the country, for example the University of California Berkley is often right up there with Duke, Yale, and Columbia Universities. Private Universities are usually more expensive and often carry more prestige. They rely on student tuition, endowments and fundraising to operate. Schools such as Princeton and Harvard fall in to the category of private school as well as the University of Phoenix; all have different levels of prestige and cost.
Universities
Universities are generally larger than colleges and offer a larger variety of courses and majors. They often have more access to better funding and research facilities. The larger size and better funding equates to a higher student population which is often seen in the size of the classes and the frequency with which classes are taught by graduate students.
Upper Division
Upper Division schools offer programs for students to complete a course of study to earn a bachelors degree. Students often transfer to an upper division school from community colleges, after attaining an associate’s degree, or completing their general education courses at a traditional four year school. Upper division schools regularly offer accelerated programs
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