About 'colleges ranked by academics'|An academic rank tempestuous tale at UP!
You're laid off, the victim of downsizing, or your company went belly up... and you can't find work. What to do next? Economic uncertainty often increases college enrollment as displaced workers seek new skills. Ironically however, during economic downturns, the issue of how money is spent becomes more critical. Bargain hunting increases significantly, even in education, as workers invest in learning new skills for a future return. Alabama has 22 community/junior colleges in its 67 counties, including four technical colleges, Athens State University - the state's exclusive upper level-only institution - and Marion Military Institute, one of five military junior colleges in the United States, which are all overseen by the Alabama Community College System. Its three-fold charge - Academics, Adult Education, and Workforce Development - also means that it has a significant role in the state's economy. Nearly 300,000 residents are assisted annually with some form of education, either through Accelerated High School/Dual Enrollment, early college articulation, or GED completion, while over 125,000 are enrolled in for-credit coursework. Affordable Education Important In modern history, Alabama's elected leaders early on recognized the importance of higher education, and during his second elected term, late former Governor George C. Wallace had a dream to enable every Alabamian access to higher education. Jane Phillips, secretary to the president of Southern Union Community College said, "he wanted a college every 30 miles." While over the years, that dream has taken on a new form, due in part to increased availability of automobiles, increased accessibility through road construction and public infrastructure, distance learning via the Internet and other factors, higher education in Alabama's Community College system remains a best bargain, even when compared to the state's four-year university system. Standards throughout the system are uniform for various aspects of higher education, including those for admissions and enrollment, academic performance, and instructor compensation. By law, tuition costs at Alabama's Community Colleges are uniform and fixed, so competition for students is not only keen, but in part, also population driven. Obtaining a sheepskin can be quite economical, and with an tuition of approximate $4900 per year, the price of earning an Associate Degree can be around $10,000. High Quality Acknowledged Recently, Washington Monthly magazine, an independent publication, ranked over 600 community and junior colleges throughout the United States. Compiling data from the U.S. Department of Education, and the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, they created a "Top 50" list of the best programs in the nation. Lawson State Community College in Birmingham made the list, ranking 39th overall. Spokeswoman Geri Albright said, "We would have been ranked higher, were it not for our graduation rate." While students graduate - Lawson's passage rate fluctuates between 77-80% - previously, upon matriculation, students had to declare degree-seeking intent, or they would not be granted a degree or certificate. However, change is underway in several colleges' offices to grant degrees and certificates once a student completes all required course work in a program, regardless of whether they transfer to a university, or not. Interest in programs throughout the state are similarly reflected in each campus. Statewide, the Top 5 Disciplines Awarded in 2007-2008 in order, were, Health Professions-8046; Business Administration-8007; Education-5617; Liberal Arts-3469; and Engineering-1860. Wallace State Community College in Hanceville has a widely regarded Nursing and Allied Health curriculum, producing RNs, LPNs, EMTs, Respiratory Therapists, and more. Community College Week magazine this summer ranked them 10th nationally among two-year institutions in their "Top 50 Associate Degrees: Health Professions and Related Clinical Services," and ranked them among the "Top 100 Associate Degree Producers" nationally. As well the Alabama Commission on Higher Education reports Wallace State produces more Associate Degrees than any other state community college. The school's passage rate of students sitting for professional licensing exams is above the state and national average. Most recently, the American College Testing service (ACT) released a report which ranked Wallace State as a first choice among Alabama's community colleges by high school graduates in 2010. With a student enrollment of over 7000 students, nearly 50 majors, and a faculty-to-student ratio of approximately 25:1, and articulation agreements with numerous universities, it is a a significant educational bargain among Alabama's community colleges. Calhoun Community College in Decatur has experienced phenomenal enrollment increase, almost doubling in three years, making it the state's most populous. In the Fall 2009 semester, over two thirds of its 11,340 students were enrolled part-time. And during the 2008-2009 Academic Year, 67% of students earned Associate Degrees, while the remainder earned Certificates. Similarly to other Alabama community colleges, instruction comprises the largest single share of Calhoun's budget, and accounts for 44% of expenditures. With nearly 80% of all instructional faculty holding Master's or Doctorate degrees, an almost even split among full-time, part-time and adjunct instructional personnel, and rapidly expanding satellite campuses make it one of the state's most widely renown community colleges. Technical Skills Needed Drake State Technical College in Huntsville continues to expand their enrollments, and has doubled since fall 2008, to over 1500, requiring additional classroom facilities in a satellite location near the main campus. Their "Our Graduates Work" slogan is not mere hyperbole. Before each student graduates, the college actively seeks a match for appropriate apprenticeship, internship or cooperative educational opportunity to enhance their career potential upon graduation. Every student enrolled has earned either an Associate in Applied Technology, diplomas or certificates. Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa is academic home to Annette Cook, whom in December was awarded the Alabama College Association's Chancellor's Award for her classroom effectiveness and contributions and achievements as Mathematics Instructor. She has won numerous awards for excellence in teaching and is published in the journals of the American Mathematical Association. Shelton State's C.A. Fredd Campus is recognized as one of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In addition to offering fine arts programs, the Alabama Fire College is also situated on campus, and offers EMT, Paramedic and numerous firefighting curricula. All of Alabama's public community and junior colleges and their academic and technical programs are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, including sanctions by numerous programs by specific accrediting bodies. The uniformity provided by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, which oversees and certifies statewide planning and coordination of all higher education in the state, assures mutual cooperation toward academic goals, while the Alabama Community College System collaborates with ACHE to implement those goals. Further reading: Wallace State Community College http://www.WallaceState.edu Shelton State Community College http://www.SheltonState.edu/ Drake Sate Technical College http://www.DSTC.cc.al.us/ Southern Union State Community College http://www.suscc.edu/ Lawson State Community College http://www.LS.cc.al.us/ Calhoun Community College http://www.Calhoun.edu/ Alabama Community College System http://www.accs.cc/ Alabama Commission on Higher Education http://www.ache.state.al.us/ Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute http://www.AIDT.edu Alabama Colleges for Electronic Technology Advancement http://www.ACETEA.org Alabama Technology Network http://www.ATN.org American Association of Community Colleges http://www.AACC.nche.edu Southern Association of Colleges and Schools http://www.SACS.org Community College Week http://www.ccweek.com/ American College Testing http://www.act.org/ |
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