Career Colleges in the USA

Career colleges in the USA are privately run institutions offering quality career-oriented training, including trades and apprenticeships and university transfer programs. They offer short (3- to 23-month) certificates and diplomas designed give students the knowledge and skills they need to get the jobs they want.

Career colleges are nothing new: alternately known as vocational or technical schools, they have been part of US post-secondary education since the mid 19th century (established in 1841, Duff's Mercantile College--now called Everest Institute--in Pittsburgh is recognized as the oldest private career school in continual operation in the US). Career colleges provide educational programs in over 200 occupational fields, including accounting, allied health, office administration, law enforcement administration, culinary and hospitality management, emergency and other medical technologies, information technology, interior design, engineering technology, radio and television broadcasting, applied arts and more. Most programs include an internship or industry practicum, so students get experience and make job connections while studying. Credits may also qualify for transfer towards a university program.

Benefits to international students include self-paced, flexible schedules with full-time, part-time and online programs often available, plus small classes, personalized attention and job placement help. As well, career colleges in the USA have affordable tuition and can be found everywhere from small rural towns to bustling urban centres.

The diversity of career college size, history, programs and location is matched by the diversity of students they serve: students with different needs, different career goals and different cultural, educational and economic backgrounds. No matter what programs they offer--from environmental technology to esthetics, coaching to cooking--all career colleges in the USA are government licensed and provide valuable, practical education in a supportive learning environment.