The state of Iowa serves as home to 15 community colleges. These two-year public institutions offer programs at a low cost per credit to help students prepare to enter traditional four-year colleges or universities or to begin a technical or vocational career. The colleges, which are located throughout the state, grant degrees, certificates and diplomas in areas that can lead to employment in some of the occupations (health care and computer sciences, for example) that, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, will be the fastest growing from 2006 through 2016.
Iowa Western Community College
Iowa Western Community College, with its main campus in Council Bluffs, serves as home to approximately 5,500 degree- and certificate-seeking students. The college also operates branches in Clarinda, Atlantic and Shenandoah. The school offers 84 academic programs, including some in less-commonly taught fields such as veterinary technology, technical theater, turf management, radio, fashion marketing and aviation maintenance. Online courses are available in numerous majors. Students can receive course credit for completing volunteer work and community service through the school's service-learning program. On-campus housing is available.
Iowa Western Community College
2700 College Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
712-325-3200
iwcc.edu
Northeast Iowa Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College has campuses and satellite learning centers in the towns of Calmar, Peosta, New Hampton, Cresco, Dubuque and Oelwein. The school serves as home to roughly 5,400 students, approximately 52 percent of which study only part time. Among the college's more than 75 degree and certificate programs are rarely taught majors such as grape growing, wind turbine repair, electroneurodiagnostic technology, dairy science and cabinetmaking. Online degrees are available in fields such as agricultural business, criminal justice and health information technology. The Calmar and Peosta campuses have housing for students. An on-campus daycare provides low-cost child care for students' children.
Northeast Iowa Community College
1625 Highway 150
P.O. Box 400
Calmar, IA 52132
nicc.edu
Hawkeye Community College
Hawkeye Community College, established in 1966, has its main campus in Waterloo as well as satellite campuses in Cedar Falls, Independence, Waverly and Holland. The school has approximately 6,200 students enrolled in its courses and offers more than 52 academic programs. The college offers degrees and certificates in fields such as agriculture and natural resources, business, health sciences, human services, industrial and engineering technology, information technology and power technology. The main campus has student housing available and operates a health and dental clinic for both resident and commuter students. The Waterloo campus also has a daycare center.
Hawkeye Community College
1501 East Orange Road
P.O. Box 8015
Waterloo, IA 50704
319-296-2320
hawkeyecollege.edu
Des Moines Area Community College
Des Moines Area Community College, serving the capital of Iowa, has locations in Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton and downtown and western Des Moines. Founded on March 18, 1966, the college has an enrollment of more than 65,000 credit and noncredit students, but still manages to maintain a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The college has 125 academic programs, including some in rarely taught fields such as American sign language interpreting, dietary management, winemaking, farm management, sports management, gerontology, mortuary science and optometrist assisting. Online courses are available. Each year, the college organizes a study abroad trip, such as its 2009 excursion to London, England. The Boone and Ankeny campuses have residence facilities. Health and dental care are available for students, and the Ankeny campus has a daycare center.
Des Moines Area Community College
2006 South Ankeny Blvd.
Ankeny, IA 50023
515-964-6200
dmacc.edu
Tags: Community College, fields such, Iowa Community, academic programs, Area Community
