BACKGROUND
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is an informative site about the goals and purposes of local community colleges, but is also a viable search tool from which to locate local community colleges and review their offerings.
From the Home page of this site, you can search by institution, city or state. Better yet, click on the Interactive Directory link, and you will be presented with a map of the United States. At the bottom of the page is a list of AACC members outside the U.S.
Once you arrive at your State page, you can determine the institutions you wish to explore further. You will then be provided with the actual address of the campus and a link to the college web page.
The interesting thing about Community College web pages is that they cater to first-time visitors, and clearly provide links pertinent to your immediate concerns. Do you want to apply/register? That link is prominent. Are you interested in online learning? Go there immediately. Click on “Student Services,” to find information about Financial Aid, Work Study programs, Services for Students with Disabilities, Child Care opportunities, and more.
If you want to go directly to the program offerings, just click “Departments,” or “Programs.” This link will provide you with all the course outlines for your specific specialty.
PRO
– AACC lists every community college and/or Junior college in your area
– It is easy to access the college program offerings
CON
– Clicking on a link will navigate you from the AACC web page
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Community Colleges most often offer Certificates or Associates Degrees. It is important to note that not all programs are eligible for financial aid assistance. Additionally, course offerings may differ widely between community colleges. It is a good idea to review the courses offered at more than one institution, in order to locate courses that provide critical skills you are seeking.
SCHOOLS
All schools listed are Community Colleges or Junior Colleges.
STUDENT LIFE
Visiting the “Student Services” section of any Community College site is the best way to determine the services available at that campus. AACC colleges do not, in most instances, offer dormitory living, although some Junior Colleges may provide housing.
CONCLUSION
Community Colleges have existed for more than a hundred years as an alternative to the general education courses that precede more traditional 4-year college plans. Their course offerings are specific to specialty-trades and therefore, succinct and thorough. By utilizing the search program offered at American Association of Community Colleges, you will be directed to every available community college resource in your area.
Common Misspellings
American Community Colleges, AACC, Community College Assocation, Amer Assoc of Comm Colleges