| "> | | | | or university, allowing the student to enter with junior |
| While spending four years at a prestigious university | | | | class standing and focus on his/her major. |
| has its appeal, more and more students are | | | | However, many community colleges also offer |
| discovering just how smart it is to complete their first | | | | certificate programs as well. Those who wish to enter |
| two years of college study at inexpensive, local | | | | the job market in a short period of time or need to |
| community colleges. An associates degree from a | | | | train for a new career quickly will find certificate |
| two-year institution generally fulfills all the lower-division | | | | programs that can quickly prepare a candidate for |
| (freshman and sophomore general education | | | | employment as a paralegal, medical or nursing |
| requirements) when transferred to a four-year college | | | | assistant, teachers' aid or other entry-level occupation. |