Global Perceptions of the Community College

Abstract

The authors trace and discuss changes in location between secondary and post-secondary educational systems based on the concept of short-cycle higher education. They extend this theme globally by developing profiles of short-cycle and nonuniversity institutions in 10 primary geographic sectors that include the following countries: People's Republic of China, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, Argentina, Kenya, South Africa, Jordan, France, Germany, Sweden, and Great Britain. They conclude their discussion by providing an assessment of global short-cycle higher education based on three program types (preparation for work, community education, and transfer education) and two rapidly increasing alternatives (consortia and industry-sponsored education).