A community college is a good choice for anyone who may want to attend a four-year school later but who is not yet academically, personally, or economically ready to begin studying at a university.  To be eligible to attend a community college, one must be 18 years of age or possess a high school diploma.  At California Community Colleges, you can work toward an associate (two-year) degree in hundreds of academic and technical fields (which will enable you to transfer to a college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree); or, you can complete a one - or two-year training or certificate program in a choice of occupational fields, various health professions, and/or high-technology job fields.

The California Community Colleges can help students get the training needed to qualify for a well-paying job with room for advancement.  Career education vocational programs are offered in hundreds of areas that employers need.  Areas of vocational (occupational) education include health occupations, electronics, and computer sciences, business and finance, agriculture and industrial trades, and many others.  Community colleges have up-to-date equipment and facilities and vocational instructors who are experts in their fields.  Depending on the occupation you select, training may take from six months to two years.  Associate degrees and certificates (shorter-term) programs are available in many fields. 

All community colleges offer courses that meet the lower division (first two years) of a four-year college or university.  Counselors in transfer centers and counseling offices at community colleges can help you plan your community college program to make sure that the courses you select are transferrable.  You should also check the requirements of the college or university to which you plan to transfer, especially in your major subject.  Many community colleges offer written transfer guarantee programs to specific universities.  This information can be found in the community college transfer center or counseling center.