How Community Colleges are Outperforming 4 Year Universities

While many high school students may be committed to their sport of focus, the collegiate programs in athleticism provide a much more intense base for improvement. Practices are longer, more frequent, more intense, and provide more discipline. As students work towards careers as professional athletes, students can utilize the opportunities of a community college athletic program to improve their mental and physical success.

The Benefits of Community Colleges for Striving Professional Athletes

An Expanding Number of Programs

In recent years, more community colleges are initiating athletic programs that expand the number of teams with the existing number of programs. “More students are wisely selecting the community college as the entrance point to higher education because of affordability, accessibility, and academic rigor,” according to researchers Laura Byrd and Mitchell Williams. As the development of strong athletic programs continues, “community colleges across the nation are establishing or expanding intercollegiate athletics programs at a consistent pace,” making the support for potential athletes more foundational and accessible.

This video offers an overview of the sports program at Rockingham Community College.

Physical and Mental Training

Students looking to pursue careers as professional athletes must choose a school that will not only provide them with beneficial athletic training, but mental and technical instruction opportunities as well. Since the community college training experiences are intense and more individualized than high school training opportunities, college coaches are able to work with

Obtaining Your Bachelor's Degree at a Community College

In recent years, community colleges have been experimenting with bachelor's degree programs.

• With great success, many states are now encouraging community colleges to offer bachelor’s degree programs.
• The reason for this is they promote the acquisition of higher education for the greater public good.
• Community colleges also provide degree programs in an increasingly wide range of majors and subject areas.

Canva generated this picture of a community college class.

The Growing Trend

Baccalaureate degrees have traditionally only been earned through a university or four-year institution.

• However, things began to change in the 1990s.
• The Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA) sought to change this tradition.

It devised a mission statement that it intended to: "promote the development and acceptance of the community college baccalaureate degree as a means of addressing the national problems of student access, demand, and cost.” In support, TheAmerican Association of Community Colleges has also recognized the community college baccalaureate as, “an emerging development in higher education.”

The reason community college baccalaureate degrees have become so popular is threefold.

1. Community colleges are able to respond to increased workforce needs more quickly than four-year institutions. For example, increased demand in recent years for qualified healthcare workers, such as nurses, has led to the explosive growth of bachelor's degree programs in nursing at the community college level.
2. Community colleges have been able to respond

While each high school year has unique and specific goals, seniors can begin to prepare for their step in higher education as they make plans to attend community college.

Developing a Plan for Enrollment

As a senior, you will make many important decisions regarding the next phase of your life. Choosing a community college means finding a campus that is in line with your goals, both academically and professionally.

Since community colleges can provide students with different areas of academic focus, students can begin their investigation of specific schools by requesting catalogs from each community college. Catalogs and websites will provide information about programs, course schedules, and graduation plans. After reviewing information, a senior can also make an appointment with a college counselor. A counselor can discuss with student plans for a career, job interests, and professional guidance. After narrowing down career options, a counselor and senior can discuss whether or not a particular college is a right fit for specific areas of study.

This video offers suggestions for planning your first year at community college.

Financial Planning - Anticipating the Costs

As the costs of college can often be expensive, high school seniors and parents can make the appropriate plans by reviewing financial aid and loan options.

Remember, community college is indeed much more affordable than traditional four-year institutions. However, planning ahead will help the senior determine whether or not to

Whether you have already decided on a career path, or if you’re looking to broaden your horizons, community colleges offer a wide variety of elective courses that can expand your personal and professional networks, while also leading to a fulfilling educational experience.

The Personal Benefits of Elective Courses

While every degree program has specific requirements, electives allow students to test the waters outside their main area of focus. By exploring elective options, you may gain a new perspective on your professional calling. Regardless of whether or not your electives lead you to a new career, or simply add to your community college experience, electives allow potential job-seeking candidates when applying for work. In fact, employers seek candidates who have well-rounded backgrounds. Showing a diverse academic background, along with your career focus, demonstrates that you are versatile and enjoy learning.

The Academic Benefits of Elective Courses

While electives often provide students with new opportunities and fulfilling educational experience, studies are also revealing that electives actually promote better thinking and learning. For example, in considering art electives, “more and more business leaders are realizing that arts education helps to prepare young people for the workplace, acknowledging that arts education develops collaborative skills, technological competencies, flexible thinking, and an appreciation for diversity,” according to Bernard Cesarone. Studies show that the study and practice of art allow students to foster better critical thinking skills, while building values that connect to fellow colleagues and peers, leading to a better-rounded employee or student.