Community Colleges

AEP’s Partner Community Colleges offer short-term certificate programs and two-year associate degree programs in many different subjects.

Community college certificate programs focus on teaching students specific career skills that usually can be completed within one school year. Associate degrees require students to take a variety of general education classes (math, science, history, language, etc.) in addition to classes related to their selected major. Associate degree programs can usually be completed within two school years.

Many students take advantage of community college’s lower tuition fees and class transferability to do a "2+2" program (2 years at community college + 2 years at university) to earn a bachelors degree. Students doing a 2+2 program can save at least $10,000 in school tuition fees.

Most of AEP’s Partner Community Colleges offer ESL classes to students that need to improve their English skills before entering a certificate or degree program.

Starting terms: Fall (early September) and Spring (January). Colleges that follow the academic quarter system offer starting terms in Winter (January), Spring (April), Summer (June) and Fall (September).
When to apply: Applications accepted up until 2 months before the preferred starting term. Because of the popularity of private high schools, spaces fill up quickly. Applying at least 6 months before the preferred starting term is highly recommended.
General Admission requirements: Proof of sufficient financial support, high school completion, and satisfactory English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, etc. Some schools may offer ESL classes, if needed).
Visa type required: F-1 Student Visa