Chapter 14 - Post Secondary Options
ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Two year programs leading to associate (A.A.) degrees constitute a large part of American higher education. These programs, offered by junior colleges or community colleges, are usually one of two types. In traditional academic or transfer programs, students complete the first 2 years of a 4-year program and then transfer to a 4-year institution to complete their degree. In terminal or occupational programs, students study a semi-professional or technical specialty such as auxiliary health services, law enforcement, computer programming, cosmetology, or stenography.
It is usually easier to be admitted to community colleges than to other post-secondary institutions. Community colleges are also less expensive. Dormitory facilities are available at most 2-year colleges but not at community colleges.
VOCATIONAL AND TRADE SCHOOLS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an increasing number of future jobs will require some type of trade or technical training. Eight thousand private trade and technical schools in the United States offer solid training in more than 100 occupations. Many of these are very good institutions; some, however, are profit-making businesses and do not deliver what is promised. These proprietary trade and technical schools focus on career preparation; training is condensed so that only essential courses are given. Programs vary greatly but include such fields as systems analysis, programming and operations, office machine repair, civil engineering technology, computer programming, food preparation, health care technology, and legal assistance. Technical schools can be small independently owned schools specializing in one type of training program, 2-year community colleges offering technical degrees, or chains of schools owned by giant corporations.
Foreign Service students should be aware that the State Department regulations define a college education as attendance for a full program at the undergraduate level at a university or college, including 2-year junior or community colleges, located in the United States, offering academic courses leading to a degree. (Emphasis added.) If a student attends a school which does not offer an academic degree, s/he will not be eligible for the educational travel allowance.
A student interested in a trade or technical school should write to several schools offering the program s/he wants and then carefully compare catalogs. The school should have adequate facilities, up-to-date equipment, qualified instructors, and a good job placement program. Visits to the campus are as important as when choosing a college. Some questions to ask are:
- What are the facilities like?
- Are the students enthusiastic about their program?
- Are dorms or other housing facilities available?
- Is it possible to talk to an instructor about the program?
- Does the school have a laboratory or shop setup that duplicates a real work environment?
- Are lab fees and equipment costs spelled out?
- What is the policy concerning withdrawal before completion?
- What percentage of students actually finish the program?
Good vocational and trade schools are licensed by the state in which they are located and accredited by an independent accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation means the school's educational quality, teaching ability, and administrative integrity have been thoroughly examined. Among the accrediting agencies are the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools, the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools, National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, and National Home Study Council.
Rsources
Careers Without College Series - These books outline the specific skills, abilities, and interests that make someone "right" for each type of job. There is a book on each of the following career fields: health care, computers, cars, fitness, and building.
Technical, Trade and Business Schools Data Handbook - This complete vocational school directory is published in regional editions. It provides profiles of some 1,250 accredited vocational schools. The profiles cover admissions, accreditation, programs offered, resources and facilities, student services, enrollment, tuition and fees, financial aid, housing, transportation, extracurricular activities, and local environment. Name, address, admissions, and course offerings are listed for another 2,060 accredited schools.
Available from:
Peterson's Guides
P.O. Box 67005
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Tel: 609-896-1800; 800-338-3282; 609-896-1800, ext. 5660 (for ordering)
Email: customerservice@petersons.com
Web site: http://www.petersons.com
TAKING A YEAR OFF - ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS
Some students are just not ready to start college the fall after completing high school. This is sometimes true for students who have gone through the admissions process as well as those who have decided earlier on that they want to take a year off from school. Realistically speaking, some students aren't ready yet for the academic focus, and, in fact, do better with the break. Or, they have been at boarding school and feel the need to spend some time at home with their parents.
ACCOMPANYING THE FAMILY TO AN OVERSEAS POST
In some instances, families are due to go overseas on a posting, and the student wants to share that experience. This can work if the situation is carefully researched with a definite activity for the year in mind. It is possible that the student may be able to work part-time at the Embassy, but that should be checked before going to post. It is also possible that the student could study the language of the country or even attend a local or American branch of a university overseas. The abiding rule, whether the student is going to accompany the family on a posting or whether the student chooses to do something else for the academic year, is that the year should involve well-planned and documentable activities.
DEFERRED COLLEGE ADMISSION
College admissions personnel point out that they look to see if the alternative activity for the year is one that provides for growth and maturity of the student. When that is true, some colleges will defer admission for a year. The alternative year should provide a learning experience and may include a number of activities, some that provide financial gain but perhaps are interspersed with volunteer, travel, or other educational-type activities.
POST GRADUATE (PG) YEAR
Getting into the college of one's choice is not guaranteed. The student may not have received the grades necessary for some institutions, may have skipped some college preparatory classes, or may want an extra year of athletic eligibility in order to qualify for an athletic scholarship. For any of these reasons, enrollment in a post graduate year will provide the opportunity to raise your grade point average, to take advanced classes not available or not taken at the graduating high school, or to have an extra year of supervised activities. Keep in mind, however, that the educational allowance will not normally cover a 13th year of secondary school.
ORGANIZED PROGRAMS
There are several organizations that help develop youth-specific interim year programs. Some of these involve a number of activities and can include overseas excursions. Others are located in one place but involve several activities and provide a semi-supervised living environment.
The Family Liaison Office's Education and Youth Officer is available to discuss alternatives and can provide referrals to families considering alternative programs. Contact: flo@state.gov
Resources
Contact the following organizations for information about their programs.
Bridgton Academy
North Bridgton, Maine 04057-0292
Tel: 207-647-3322
Offers a specific program for postgraduate boys.Center for Interim Programs
P.O. Box 2347
Cambridge, MA 02238
Tel: 617-547-0980The Dynamy Year
27 Sever Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Tel: 508-755-2571
Program offers a series of internships, apartment living, individual advising, outdoor challenge program, and community involvement.Horizons Program
University of Alabama
157 Education Building
901 South 13th Street
Birmingham, AL 35294-1250
Tel: 205-975-6770
College-based, non-degree, apartment-living program for learning disabled.Time Out Associates
P.O. Box 503
Milton, MA 02186
Tel: 617-698-8977
Fax: 800-866-0992
http://www.whereyouheaded.com
Where Are You Headed? is designed to serve students and their families who are looking for information and advice about the passage through high school and college - and all the twists and turns in between.World Learning
P.O. Box 676
Brattleboro, VT 05302
Tel: 802-257-7751
Individualized program organization for students to spend a year living, studying, and/or working abroad.
CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS
Correspondence study is individual instruction by mail. It is flexible, convenient, and personalized. Students enroll at any time, study at home, and set their own pace. Work is done on a one-to-one basis with faculty experts who design instructional materials, guide course study, and prepare specific responses to submitted work.
Credit earned in correspondence study taken at a regionally accredited institution is normally transferable from one institution to another. However, since policies and degree requirements vary among colleges and universities, students are urged to consult appropriate officials of the institution from which they expect to receive a degree to find out where credit is transferable.
The cost associated with taking correspondence courses varies from course to course and from college to college. Tuition is often a set amount per credit hour. Students bear the cost for postage on items that they mail, and some institutions levy a postage fee for items such as course materials and returned assignments that are mailed to their students. Students should usually be able to use the pouch or military post office for the correspondence materials to and from the institutions. When possible, students going to foreign countries should enroll before they leave the United States, taking their textbooks, and course materials with them in order to avoid postage and customs expenses. An institution's catalog will identify policies and costs for foreign enrollments.
The Family Liaison Office has information on colleges and universities offering a wide range of high school, college, graduate, and non-credit courses by correspondence. Contact: flo@state.gov
Resources
Correspondence Programs
Available from:
Graduate School, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
600 Maryland Avenue, SW
Suite 160
Washington, DC 20024
Tel: 202-314-3320; 888-744-GRAD
Web site: http://www.grad.usda.govThe Electronic University Course Telecommunications - Describes professional certificate and four year degree programs in video, satellite transmission, cable and broadcast TV, computer via modem, or other electronic means.
College Independent Study Bulletin
The Independent Study Catalog
Available from:
Peterson's Guides
P.O. Box 67005
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Tel: 609-896-1800; 800-338-3282; 609-896-1800, ext. 5660 (for ordering)
Email: customerservice@petersons.com
Web site: http://www.petersons.com
Distance and Evening Programs College Independent Study
Lists credit and non-credit courses.
Available from:
University of Nebraska
Nebraska Center for Continuing Education
269 Clifford
Lincoln, NE 68583-9400
Tel: 402-472-0400
Fax: 402-472-4450
Email: unldep@unl.edu
Web site: http://www.dcs.unl.edu
ATTENDING COLLEGE OVERSEAS
Many overseas posts offer a variety of educational opportunities for college and graduate study. The University of Maryland, Beaver College, the City Colleges of Chicago, and many other institutions offer programs at many posts abroad (often located near U.S. military installations). Many U.S. colleges have junior year abroad programs. In addition, local universities will often accept American students if language is not a barrier. Taking advanced language studies is possible at most posts.
The National University Continuing Education Association (NUCEA) provides prospective students with registration forms and catalogs describing courses offered. Contact them at:
The National University Continuing Education Association (NUCEA)
One Dupont Circle, NW
Suite 615
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-659-3130
Fax: 202-785-0374
Web site: http://www.nucea.edu
Resources
Independent Study Catalog
Study Abroad
Available from:
Peterson's Guides
P.O. Box 67005
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Tel: 609-896-1800; 800-338-3282; 609-896-1800, ext. 5660 (for ordering)
Email: customerservice@petersons.com
Web site: http://www.petersons.comAdvisory List of International Educational Travel and Exchange Programs - This book offers a chart for easy comparison of 55 programs. Each program is also described in a two-page write-up.
Available from:
Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)
212 S. Henry Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703-739-9050
Fax: 703-739-9035
Email: mailbox@csiet.org
Web site: www.csiet.org
Information provided by the Family Liaison Office
Contact the Family Liaison Office
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