W
ant to know a
percent of the
college students
in the United
States now attend
two-year colleges.
These schools are
becoming increasingly popular for
students with all kinds of goals.
Okay, so that’s not really such a big
secret. But you might be surprised
to learn just how much two-year
colleges have to offer prospective
students. Everybody knows that
community colleges are less
expensive than four-year schools. But
there is much more to the two-year
college story. Here’s a look at some of
the “best-kept secrets” of America’s
dynamic two-year schools.
Top-Notch Instructors
Some people assume that because
it costs less to attend a community
college, students must settle for a
second-rate educational experience.
But it is a mistake to equate low cost
with inferior teaching.
People who are concerned about
the skyrocketing costs at four-year
institutions may view the lower cost
of going to their local community
they quickly discover when they
enroll, is a consistent level of high-
quality instruction.
“Community is the heart of
community college,” says Dr. Shaun
L. McKay, President of Suffolk
County Community College.
“Community colleges have top-notch
instructors who devote their time
to teaching and to helping students
achieve their goals. They thrive on
direct contact with students and
focus their energies on the classroom
experience.”
In fact, most community college
faculty members have excellent
credentials. Those who teach in
transfer programs have at least
a master’s degree, and many hold
doctorates. Many also have real-life
or both. An important factor is
that those who teach in two-year
colleges tend to regard themselves
as professional teachers rather than
researchers.
Small Classes
Two-year colleges come in all
sizes, from small rural schools to
large urban colleges that dwarf
some universities. But a common
denominator in virtually all of them
is a commitment to limiting class
size.
Indre Caikauskaite, who started at
Suffolk before continuing on to Stony
Brook University where she earned a
master’s degree this spring, says that
small class size is one of the biggest
advantages of two-year schools. “The
small class sizes and direct contact
with the professors at Suffolk gave
me a strong foundation, encouraged
me to continue my studies and
prepared me for a larger university,”
Ms. Caikauskaite notes.
Small classes in community colleges
mean a lower instructor-to-student
ratio. At Suffolk, average class size is
about 23 students. Instructors know
everyone’s names and they keep up
with students personally. The smaller
classes help students get more
involved, and student involvement is
shown to be an important factor in
retention and degree completion.
Special Programs
Community colleges are an excellent
place to start if earning a four-year or
graduate degree is the goal.
For instance, Suffolk currently has
articulation, joint admission and
“two-plus-two” agreements with more
than 34 institutions, including SUNY
colleges, and private and out-of-state
colleges and universities. The College
The Two-Year Story:
Best-Kept Secrets
Everybody knows that community colleges
are less expensive than four-year schools.
But there is much more to the two-year
college story.
Suffolk County Community College
I
(631) 451-4111
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