Types of Schools
Types of Institutions of Higher Education
According to the U.S. Department of Education there are more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States (two-year and four-year institutions), as well as a rapidly expanding number of private occupational schools. Most schools fall into one of the following categories:
College
A college is an institution that offers educational instruction beyond the high school level in a two-year or four-year program. Some colleges also offer advanced degree programs called graduate degrees.
University
An institution which grants undergraduate and graduate degrees and is composed of a number of "schools" or "colleges" each of which encompasses a general field of study.
Liberal Arts College
A four-year institution that emphasizes a broad-based, undergraduate education. Pre-professional and/or professional training may be available but is not emphasized. Most liberal arts colleges are designed to foster critical thinking. Students in liberal arts colleges can major in a wide variety of subject areas.
Engineering or Technological College
A professional school that provides four-year training programs in engineering and the sciences. They are often referred to as Institutes of Technology or Polytechnic Schools.
Junior Colleges/Community Colleges/Technical Colleges
Two-year institutions of higher education that provide vocational training and academic programs, both terminal and transfer.
Terminal Program
An academic program that is complete in itself. A student who completes a terminal program is prepared to enter a specific occupation.Transfer Program
An academic program designed to provide the first two years of postsecondary instruction with the final two years to be finished at a four-year college or university.Note: Both terminal and transfer tracks grant an Associates Degree upon successful completion of the prescribed program of studies.
The mission of community colleges is to provide equal opportunity and access for all students. The student population at community colleges is usually quite diverse with traditional college-aged students attending classes with older students, many of whom are returning to school to increase their job skills. Many community colleges offer flexible schedules including evening and weekend classes. Most community colleges offer:
- An open-admission policy, meaning that all students with a high school diploma or equivalent are eligible to attend. Please note however, that some programs of study may be very selective due to high demand for the major.
- A wide array of developmental classes to assist students in preparing for college level coursework.
Nursing Schools
Students can prepare for a career in nursing in three ways. Diploma Programs are typically three years in length with nursing schools affiliated with hospitals. Two-year colleges prepare students for a career in nursing. Students earn an Associates Degree in this track. The third method is through a four-year college. Students in four-year programs will earn a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Students must also pass licensing exams regardless of their path to a career in nursing.
Military Schools
Military academies prepare officers for service in one of the branches of the military. Admission requirements to federal military academies (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Marine) require a different procedure than typical colleges. The United States Coast Guard Academy admission process is similar to that of traditional colleges and universities. Students interested in an academy must begin the process earlier than for other institutions and should work early in their high school career with their school counselor. Most high schools have a wealth of information on the academies.
Private Occupational Schools
The focus of private occupational schools is to train students for a technical or specialized career. Course offerings at private occupational schools have greatly expanded during the past ten years to include training in many of the fastest growing job sectors including computer technology and health services. Private occupational schools offer:
- programs which combine hands-on training with traditional classroom instruction;
- flexible admissions policies;
- short-term programs, most requiring two years or less of full-time study; and
- Certificates of Completion to students who have successfully completed all course requirements in their program of study.
These are not the only types of institutions of higher education. There are also colleges that specialize in a particular discipline such as the fine arts, business, or the culinary arts.
For a complete listing of all licensed institutions of higher education in Connecticut, visit www.ctdhe.org.