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Technical Colleges vs. Universities Higher education generally involves studying in universities, vocational universities (i. e. technical colleges, community colleges, etc) and other educational institutions, awarding academic degrees. Although some people give a confused account when speaking about differences between technical colleges and universities, the main difference is that an average technical college places emphasis on teaching work skills, whereas an average university is more focused on research and theoretical understanding of the subject of learning. Besides, the vast majority of universities award degrees (i.
e. Bachelors degree, Masters degree, and doctorate) in a wide range of subjects. Technical colleges also grant degrees, however, these educational institutions award Professional degrees, like Professional Bachelors degree, Professional Masters degree and Professional doctorate. Lets compare and contrast the peculiarities of technical colleges and universities by the example of Hennepin Technical College and The University of Minnesota.
Firstly, the universities tend to be bigger than colleges. For example, The University of Minnesota consists of four campuses Duluth, Twin Cities, Crookston and Morris, several extension offices, and outreach and research centers throughout Minnesota. Hennepin Technical College has only 596 employees and consists of only two campuses (Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie). In contrast to the vast majority of colleges, the universities offer doctoral degrees. For example, The University of Minnesota offers plenty of degrees ranging from undergraduate degrees and associates degrees to baccalaureate degrees. Hennepin Technical College, in contrast to the university, offers Associate of Applied Science Degree, Diploma and different kinds of short-term certificate programs that allow the students to learn by doing (Hennepin Technical College, 2007).
The universities focus attention on theoretical learning and research, whereas colleges tend to teach both theory and practical work skills (School vs. College vs. University, 2006). Hennepin Technical College places high emphasis on the training and skills necessary to find an employment. According to the information from the college website, they believe that hands-on training is key (Hennepin Technical College, 2007) to the students success in the global work environment. Compared to the technical college, the University of Minnesota is proud of being the states primary research institution that received 98 percent of all federally sponsored research grants awarded to higher education institutions in Minnesota (University of Minnesota, 2007).
In addition, universities tend to offer several kinds of degrees in different spheres of study, whereas technical colleges usually grant certificates in areas of study that are closely related to each other. What concerns program majors, Hennepin Technical College offers the students programs in business and information technology, construction and building careers, floral and landscape careers, health careers, manufacturing and engineering technology, media communications careers, public safety and service careers, and transportation careers. In contrast to technical college, The University of Minnesota proposes a wide selection of programs, courses and other educational and career options, like departments, units, colleges, and centers. In such a way, the university is usually bigger, has more major programs, offers a wide range of services and provides the students many educational and career options. The university is more focused in theoretical knowledge, whereas the technical college yields immediate opportunities and provides with practical work skills that are the most necessary and immutable in your future life.
Although technical colleges usually do not provide with professional degrees, technical college certification may serve a sound foundation for immediate employment and continuing education in the university in order to get a necessary degree (i. e. BS) that will open the doors for interviews and future career growth. Bibliography Hennepin Technical College. (2007, February 20). Retrieved February 20, 2007, from web School vs.
College vs. University. (2006, September 2). Retrieved February 20, 2007, from web University of Minnesota. (2007, February 20). Retrieved February 20, 2007, from web
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Research essay sample on Technical Colleges Vs Universities
