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From the blues to bluegrass, rock and roll to country, Tennessee has been an important melting pot for musicians. More than just that, this geographically diverse state has churned out accomplished writers and athletes, well-educated doctors and lawyers, and more than its fair share of tobacco and cotton. While an important seat of the old south, Tennessee has managed to grow with the times, and some of its larger cities are major economic seats, as well as major tourist attractions. Travelers hightail it to Nashville to take a peek at the original Sun Records just as much as aspiring young learners head to its colleges. And while Graceland might be the most famous spot in Memphis, there are certainly just as many unsung educational institutions. Whether it’s a bustling metropolis or a landscape of mountains and caves that students want, the state’s two-year colleges offer a little bit of everything.

With numerous degree and certificate programs to choose from, students seeking an education in the Nashville area often head to NSCC before trying their hand at four-year college. Numerous students who pursue the associate’s degree offerings that Nashville State Community College has to offer end up deciding it’s a good idea to continue on to a full bachelor’s degree, and numerous local offerings make that transition easy. The community college itself shares a campus with the Tennessee Technology Center at Nashville, which means spacious and high-tech facilities for those enrolled. Anyone more focused on technical skills will find numerous opportunities also available, with plenty of chances to learn with hands-on lessons in the classroom, as well as the opportunity to pursue apprenticeships in the area. A regionally-accredited institution, Nashville State Community College is an excellent choice for anyone on their way to an affordable four-year degree, or those interested in the necessary skills to quickly enter the workforce.

Located right in the heart of downtown Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is one of the most popular two-year colleges in the whole state of Tennessee. With three smaller satellite campuses and others in the works, those who aren’t able to make it to Knoxville every day have other options for their learning experiences. One of the 13 community colleges that the Tennessee Board of Regents operates, Pellissippi State Community College is a fully-accredited community college. It has offered numerous degree and certificate programs to its students since 1974, and recent renovations have added a number of state-of-the-art buildings on campus, including the Bagwell Center for Media Arts. In addition to local students, the student body at Pellissippi State Community College boasts a significant number of international students for a community college. With a variety of associate’s degree programs to choose from and over 300 faculty members, the student-to-teacher ratio is surprisingly favorable for those learning.

Located in Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is the perfect pick for those students who dream of making a career out of the music industry. With a recording management program and a variety of classes in songwriting and production, it is one of those rare community colleges that provides the kind of specific training for a somewhat obscure profession. A number of students who enroll at Volunteer State Community College focus on the 911³Ô¹ÏÍø Studies program, which is offered in all five areas, meaning that it is far easier to transfer to a four-year college after completion of the associate’s degree. The school’s five areas include Allied Health, Math/Science, Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences/Education. A number of students who attend the school for more practical purposes find themselves taking advantage of the hands-on and thorough training in the Pre-Nursing, Paralegal, and Radiologic Technology majors. For creatively-minded students, Volunteer State Community College’s on-campus recording studio and radio station offer perfect opportunities to get the experience needed to head out into the wide world of music. The school also boasts an on-campus television studio.

A popular community college with locations in four different Tennessee cities, including Tullahoma and Fayetteville, Motlow State Community College provides a great opportunity for those students seeking the opportunity to learn a particular skill as well as those who are looking to further their general education. With a large number of technology centers on-campus, there are multiple opportunities to jump into the world of today’s technology, and learning the skills needed to immediately secure a position in the workforce upon graduation or completion of a degree program is definitely one of the school’s strengths. With 51 separate areas of study, students interested in a wide variety of subjects will find themselves with ample opportunities at Motlow State Community College. A separate program exists for those students intending on transferring to four-year institutions, and degree programs in business, government, and childhood education are popular options for those seeking only associate’s degrees. The school also offers numerous workforce development programs, though many who choose Motlow State Community College are drawn to its Honors Program or nursing department.