The Top Two Year Colleges of Connecticut
Norwalk Community College, Middlesex Community College, Gateway Community College
Right in the middle of the bustling metropolis of New York, the picturesque scenery of New England, and the cosmopolitan center of Boston is the state of Connecticut. The home to many prestigious colleges and universities, Connecticut is also the home to many top two-year colleges. In addition to being a beautiful place to travel and live, Connecticut is well known throughout the country and the world for its early historical significance to the United States. Nicknamed the ‘Constitution State,’ many of the links architecturally and culturally to early colonial times can be seen still today. With a cool, breezy, costal climate due to its presence next to the Long Island Sound the temperature is perfect all summer long, and locals and visitors alike enjoy a winter climate perfect for many snow sports. No matter what the reason, it’s always pleasant to spend some time in Connecticut, as many students at top two year colleges would agree!
Established in 1961, Norwalk Community College is a public community college located on a 30 acre campus in West Norwalk, Connecticut. There is a satellite campus at the Rippowam Center in Stamford, Connecticut. This suburban campus has been known as the Norwalk State Technical College and the Norwalk Community-Technical College in the past. The more than 10,000 students at Norwalk Community College enjoy an “open admissions’ policy. Academic programs include over 60 Associate Degree and Certificate awarding programs. Students may earn an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree, and may be eligible for articulated admission to the 911³Ô¹ÏÍø of Connecticut, or any school in the Connecticut State 911³Ô¹ÏÍø system. Key programs and features of a Norwalk Community College education include the William H. Schwab Center for Information Technology including the unique ‘Security Institute and Degree Program’ with a computer security degree offered, an Honors program, a Business and Professional Development Center, a Workforce Education Institute, English as a Second Language programs, Nursing, and Childcare Development Programs. Some courses and classes offered online, as well as satellite programs with other area community colleges. Extracurricular activities such as honor societies, student government, student publications, clubs and organizations are offered to students at Norwalk Community College.
A public community college located on 38 rural acres in Middletown, Connecticut, Middlesex Community College was established in 1966. With nearly 4,000 students, Middlesex Community college grants Associate’s degrees, as well as credit certificates and non-credit certificates. Special academic programs include the Center for Business and Industry Services as part of the Business and Industry Services Network of Connecticut. Through the Center for Business and Industry Services students and local companies and businesses are able to receive and provide customized training instruction. Apart from the main, Middletown Campus, there are two other Middlesex Community College campuses, Meriden Center, and Shoreline. Various campuses offer credit, non-credit, day, evening and weekend courses to accommodate a wide range of student interests and schedules including those with families and working professionals. In addition to studying at Middlesex Community College students may participate in academic honor societies, clubs and organizations, and student government.
Established in 1992, Gateway Community College is a public, two-year community college located in New Haven, Connecticut. With more than 10,000 students, or navy and gold ‘Lions,’ this urban community college has two main campuses, the aforementioned in New Haven known as the ‘Long Wharf Campus,’ and another in North Haven. Of the many certificate programs available at Gateway Community College, some include Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Electronic Publishing, Entrepreneurial Studies, Gerontology, Pre-Allied Health, Professional Baker, Therapeutic Recreation, Web Design, and more. Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science, and Associate of Arts degrees are offered in areas like Biomedical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Dietetic Technology, Environmental Science and Toxicology, Hotel-Motel Management, Liberal Arts, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Nursing, Radiation Therapy, Studio Art, and more. The campus at Gateway Community College also hosts the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium’s training center.
A public, Winsted, Connecticut community college, Northwestern Connecticut Community College is a small, rural community college. With an ‘open admissions’ policy, Northwestern Connecticut Community College enrolls well under 2,000 students. Here, students may work towards Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degrees in the schools many academic programs, as well as towards credit and non-credit Certificates. Unique Northwestern Connecticut Community College programs include the Veterinary Technology Program, the only in the state of Connecticut, and the American Sign Language, the Collegiate Education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, and the Deaf Studies programs. Established in 1965, campus facilities at Northwestern range from the Library and Learning Resource Center, to the Arts and Science Center. In addition to studying, students may participate in extracurricular activities such as academic honor societies, publications, clubs and organizations, sports clubs, and student government.
Established in 1967, Capital Community College is located in Hartford, Connecticut. This public community college enrolls well over 3,000 students, and boasts one of the most diverse student populations in the New England region. Academic programs award Associate’s Degrees and Certificates in a range of areas, including a new Associate Degree in Nursing program. Campus buildings for Capital Community College are currently located in downtown Hartford, a recent merger from the two former campuses.
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