Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in The United States

The excellence and esteem of the United States’ higher education system, the colleges and universities for students on an academic track, often overshadows the merit of the country’s career colleges and vocational schools, both of which provide an equally superior educational and training experience for their students.  Career-minded students and adults who wish to avoid the general education requirements and the 4-5 year commitment of a traditional college or university degree program can opt instead to attend one of the country’s many vocationally-based schools—colleges and training centers that focus primarily on specific career fields in which a university degree is not requirement for entrance or success.  Below we will take a closer look at the U.S. system of vocational schools and career colleges, defining its structure and describing some of the attributes that make it so successful.

What Is Vocational Education in the United States?

In the United States, vocational education is typically a post-secondary pursuit, although in many states, cities and individual school districts it can begin as early as the latter part of high school for 11th and 12th grade students.  As a general rule of thumb, these schools normally span two years, and are either public—managed and funded by the government or school district—or private, in which case participants must pay for the education and training they receive.  In both cases, students are awarded a certificate of completion/proficiency upon graduation (the type of certificate or license will vary depending on the career field), which serves as proof they have taken the necessary training steps and are qualified and prepared to meet the challenges of that specific profession.

Community colleges, schools primarily found strictly in the United States, are, in some cases, also used for the purpose of vocational education, offering classes and certificate programs based on the needs of the surrounding community.

Sadly, during times of economic hardship in the United States, government funding for public vocational schools is often hit the hardest, either reduced or cut off completely.  This makes it very difficult for students and adults to receive the training they need, especially those students who cannot afford the often high-priced private career schools.

Vocational schools serve a very important purpose in U.S. society, training and educating adults and even students as young as high school age to fill support roles in fields such as healthcare and dentistry, law enforcement, hospitality services, technology and scores of service-related businesses, including automotive repair and electrical technician services.

Vocational schools and career colleges have a long and distinguished history in the United States, some dating back over two centuries or more.  Some of these schools, which began very modest, focusing strictly on a handful of career fields, have gone on to become some of the most prestigious universities in the United State,  renowned for the achievements of both past and present graduates. Familiar universities such as Carnegie Mellon and both the California and Massachusetts Institutes of Technology are consistently ranked among the world’s best colleges and universities, and each began as a vocational school.