College Education Programs

Both traditional and online college education programs offer a multitude of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees, as well as certification and licensure in varying specialties. High school students are often expected to start the hunt for the right higher educational institution before they even cross the school's threshold the first day of the freshman year. But a lot of teens, even highly motivated scholars, are more concerned with Friday night's football score and who's dating whom than which college offers what degrees and is involved in the latest research in some obscure field. Of course, this is a bit of hyperbole. As the semesters go by and high school graduation draws nearer, many teens focus a great deal of time and attention on figuring out what they're going to do with their lives. Some will know exactly what professions interest them most and will develop a plan for getting the needed degree. Others may be more interested in attending a particular university, perhaps because of a family legacy or some other association, and will concentrate all their efforts on getting accepted at that one special place. Still others won't be interested in college education programs at all. They're eager to get out in the world, to be independent, and to make their own way.

Of course, it's not only teenagers who have difficulty making decisions about furthering their education. Many adults are still trying to decide what they want to be when they grow up. Perhaps college was not an option for them after high school graduation. Or perhaps the individual went to a university, but ended up dropping out. Now it's time to go back and decisions about degrees and colleges have to be made. Fortunately, a lot of research, for both teens and adults, can be done online. Many websites provide a multitude of information about both traditional and online college education programs. Some sites even provide specialized search engines. The prospective student can enter the type of degree being sought (usually bachelor, master, doctorate, or certificate) and one or more fields of study into the application. The search engine will return a list of educational institutions offering the selected degree in those desired fields. This can be a great way to begin a search, especially for someone who is interested in a specialized field that may be offered by only a few universities. For example, many college education programs offer business degrees, but only a relative few offer a degree in the less popular field of historical preservation and renovation. Additionally, the websites may list fields of study that the potential student didn't know existed and hadn't considered.

Potential undergraduate students who know they want a college education, but who aren't ready to declare a major, may benefit from researching programs offered at community colleges. These schools, which traditionally offer two-year associate degrees, provide a general education at a relatively inexpensive cost. By attending a community college, the student can get credits for basic subjects such as English, math, history, and science. This can also be an inexpensive way to take interesting classes that may lead a student to making a career choice. Additionally, many community college education programs offer workshops, seminars, and vocational training for both traditional and nontraditional students. The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, wrote that: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). Community colleges offer such an important service, not just for recent high school graduates, but also to local residents who can take advantage of instructional training. In fact, many community colleges develop job training programs for area industries. For example, a community college located near a popular tourist destination may have college education programs especially designed for people who interested in working in the hospitality industry.

Several factors may affect the decision of which educational institution to attend. For example, the institution should be accredited by a reputable and respectable accrediting agency. This ensures that the school has met certain standards regarding the facilities, the resources, the educational expertise of the faculty, and other requirements. Another important factor for many families is the cost of higher education. Generally speaking, a public in-state school will be less expensive than attending an out-of-state college. Most colleges charge higher rates to students who reside in other states, but the state government helps to subsidize the costs of its residents who attend an in-state public school. Private colleges generally charge higher tuition rates than public schools because they do receive little, if any, taxpayer funding. Their college education programs are supported by student tuition and fees, foundations, and donors. To help potential scholars get the education they desire, many educational institutions offer a variety of scholarships and work-study programs. Some states also provide scholarships to high schoolers who meet certain requirements regarding minimum grade point averages, the high school credits earned, and perhaps performing a minimum number of community volunteer hours. Government grants and loans also are available to qualified applicants.

Going to college is an exciting adventure for the new high school graduate. It's a time of independence, of making one's own decisions while still having the family safety net, and a stepping stone to adulthood. But it's also an exciting time for the nontraditional student. This individual may have a family, a full time job, and other obligations and responsibilities. Yet the benefit of higher education is worth the time and effort of going back to school. By researching college education programs, both the newly graduated teen and the older adult student will find educational options that will prepare them for their chosen professions.

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