Students who are interested in a variety of distinct academic pathways that ultimately lead to a select few destinations are served by Houston community colleges.
When students enroll in community colleges, they aim to earn a variety of degrees, including associate degrees, workforce and technical certificates, and, more and more, four-year bachelor’s degrees.
The majority of graduates from Houston’s community colleges get associate degrees, but certificates also account for a sizeable portion of the annual awards.
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Degrees predominate: For Houston community college students, associate degrees are by far the most common option. These degrees are promoted as two-year courses that prepare students for bachelor’s or career programs. But in Texas, the typical student needs about four years to finish an associate’s degree.
In order to transfer credits to a four-year university and obtain a bachelor’s degree, students most frequently finish Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degrees.
Zooming in: Despite enrolling fewer students, San Jacinto College grants more credentials than its peers, Houston Community College and Lone Star College. With a large number of students enrolling in welding, pharmacy technician, and cosmetology certification programs, the college offers over 120 workforce and technical certificates.
Thirteen percent of SJC students stated in a fall 2024 survey that they were enrolled to obtain a certificate, enhance their personal enrichment, or better their employment abilities.
What comes next?Community colleges are frequently used by students as a springboard for future attendance at four-year universities. Before transferring, students are not obliged to finish a degree or certificate.
The number of first-time students who transferred to a four-year university within six years of enrolling at each local community college is displayed in the chart below.
Keep an eye on this trend:In 2017, community colleges were authorized by state lawmakers to provide bachelor’s degree programs.
Since then, a number of four-year programs have been introduced by Houston’s major universities. The number of bachelor’s degree recipients will increase as the initial students who enrolled in the program graduate in the upcoming years, but it probably won’t explode because institutions can only offer five programs apiece.
In collaboration with Open Campus, Miranda Dunlap covers community colleges in Houston. Up until now, there hasn’t been much news about these systems or students, even though community colleges enroll around half of Houston’s higher education students. Her reporting helps students explore their potential, exposes obstacles they face, and keeps institutions responsible. Miranda can be reached on Twitter and Instagram or at [email protected].
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