Higher Education Options

The term "college" is often used to describe most types of education following high school. This publication uses the phrase "higher education" to include college and other post-secondary education and training opportunities. Each higher education option offers a unique way to meet your needs.

Technical colleges offer hands-on, career-oriented instruction. Students typically start their careers 10-23 months after enrolling or transfer credits to a four-year program. Technical colleges offer many career fields and smaller class sizes.

Community colleges offer two years of career and general education courses. Students can transfer their general education credits to a four-year program or graduate with a two-year degree.

Search for technical and community colleges on ISEEK.

Private career schools provide short-term programs (three years or less) to prepare for specific careers like message therapy, truck driving or computer animation. Most schools offer small class sizes and assist students with job searches. Learn more about private career schools.

Public or state universities offer bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and sometimes doctoral or professional degrees (like medicine or law). Most university programs are four or more years, and on-campus housing is often available.

Private colleges and universities can be for-profit or nonprofit, and some are religiously affiliated. Bachelor's, master's and professional degrees can be earned, and most schools offer on-campus housing.

Search for public and private universities and colleges on ISEEK.

Certificates & Degrees
Choosing the type of degree program to enroll in is as important as choosing the type of school to attend. Be sure to check the requirements for each school. You might have to obtain a specific degree before being eligible for another.

Read below for options or visit ISEEK's Find a Program page for more details.

Short-term and customized training classes vary from half-day to six-month classes. Classes can increase your employability or be taken just for fun, like learning computer skills or cooking. ISEEK has a listing of some short-term training classes.

Associate degrees are offered by technical, community and some private career colleges. The degree typically requires at least two years of study beyond high school.

Bachelor's degrees are required for most professional occupations. The degree usually requires four years beyond high school at an accredited college or university.

Post-baccalaureate certificates require 18 credit hours of study beyond a bachelor's degree.

Master's degrees certify successful completion of graduate education offered by accredited colleges and universities. The degree typically requires a bachelor's degree, plus two years of full-time coursework and a completed thesis (an original research project and paper).

Post-master's certificates require 24 credit hours of study beyond the master's degree.

Professional degrees require two or more years beyond a bachelor's degree at an accredited university. This degree is the minimum requirement for some professional careers, like lawyer and pharmacist.

Doctoral degrees are the highest-level graduate-study degrees. The degree requires at least three years beyond a bachelor's degree (sometimes 4-6 years) at an accredited university.

Not sure how to prepare for these options?
Check out the I Make It Happen Web site, aimed to keep the dream of college alive in Minnesota young people and empower them with information needed to make smarter, more informed choices about how to achieve their dreams. www.IMakeItHappen.org