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Where Should I Go?
Once you know you want to commit to an educational program, the next step is to decide what kind of program you will attend. Your choice will likely be based on a combination of factors, such as the requirements of the career you are interested in, and the amount of time you want to commit to your education.
Vocational/Technical Programs
Vocational and technical programs typically lead directly to certification or licensure in a given field. They require the shortest time commitment of all the post-high school education programs, typically three months to two years, because your coursework is tightly focused around the career you are preparing for, and you do not take courses that are not directly applicable to your future job. These programs tend to be “hands-on” in approach, meaning the bulk of your time will be spent learning and practicing skills necessary for your future job.
Here are just a few of the many vocational and technical programs:
- Auto Mechanics
- Barber/Stylist
- Bookkeeping/Accounting
- Carpentry
- Child Care/Early Childhood Education
- Computer Technician
- Court Reporting
- Culinary Arts/Cooking
- Dental Assistant
- Fashion Design
- Hotel/Retail Management
- Interpretation/Translation Specialist
- Massage Therapy
- Nursing Assistant
- Video/Audio Production
Aside from the many private schools offering certification and licensure in the fields listed above, the State of Washington has several public community and technical colleges that offer these programs. Not every school will offer all of these programs, and many will offer other programs that are not listed here, so it helps to research several schools to find out which is best for you. A list of state community and technical colleges with contact information can be located in the resource section at the end of this book.
Community College
Along with vocational programs, community colleges offer Associate degrees in the arts and sciences (A.A. or A.S.). An Associate degree usually takes two years of full-time study to achieve. These degrees can lead directly to jobs in some careers such as nursing, interior design, or early childhood special education. Associate degrees can also be used to transfer into a four-year state university through the state’s direct transfer agreement.
Four-Year Colleges and Universities
Four-year schools offer Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees (B.A. or B.S.) in a wide variety of subjects, from astronomy to zoology. Most students require four to five years of full time study to complete their degrees. Almost two years of your coursework at a four-year school will focus on fulfilling general or core requirements in the sciences, foreign language, English and writing, math, history, and the arts. The other two years will be spent doing coursework in your major and minor areas of study, which are typically directly related to the career you want to pursue. A B.A. or B.S. can lead directly into a career or be a stepping-stone to a graduate or professional degree in your chosen field.
Other Issues to Consider
Now that you have an understanding of the degrees and certificates available at the different types of schools, and the time commitment each requires, here are some other issues that may be important as you decide what kind of school to attend:
Most community and technical colleges are commuter campuses. In other words, students live at their own homes rather than in a campus dormitory.
Community and technical colleges tend to be less expensive than four-year colleges.
Classes at four-year universities can be very large, especially for core classes, which can have more than 100 students per class.
Admissions requirements are less stringent at community and technical colleges.
Private and out-of-state colleges and universities typically charge much higher rates for tuition than state schools. Also, in many cases, students who choose these schools will have to live on campus. Since the Department of Services for the Blind can only pay the state-rate for tuition, and cannot pay for housing, DSB students who plan on attending private or out-of-state colleges will need to find additional means to cover their school expenses.
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