Community Colleges, also known as Junior Colleges, came into being in the United States in order to meet the demand for affordable public education and the requirement for trained and skilled workers in the rapidly growing businesses and industries. The idea was to introduce a two-year degree program as a speedier and more financially viable training alternative to the four-year degree courses from a State University.

The first Community College to be established was the Joliet Junior College in Illinois in 1901.
The concept proved popular and soon spread throughout the other states as well. Presently, there are around 1600 private and public Community Colleges and their various branches in the United States.

Training Programs at Community Colleges

Community Colleges offer Associate Degree courses, Vocational Training Certification, Adult Continuing Education, and High School Diplomas.

The early emphasis was on imparting semi-professional or vocational training, especially in the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II. The GI Bill brought a surge of World War II veterans into the educational fold. A Commission on Higher Education, appointed by President Truman in 1947, published a report ‘Higher Education for American Democracy’, stressing even more the need and importance of nation-wide Community Colleges.

Enrollment in Community Colleges really peaked in the 1960s and 1970s. Meritorious students received grants through initiatives like the Kellogg Junior College Leadership Programs. Aside from the academic opportunities and career-based training that could be availed by all comers, thanks to the 'open enrollment' policy, another major attraction for students during the Vietnam War Era was the escape offered in the sanctum of Junior Colleges from the War Draft.

The 1980s and 1990s saw a steady development and improvement in academic programs, vocational training courses, teaching methods, and research resources. Currently, students from diverse sections of society take advantage of the various training opportunities offered by Community Colleges.

Challenges faced by Community Colleges

For all their popularity, there have been questions regarding training and teaching standards at Community Colleges. Quite a few people are critical of the 'open enrollment' policy. They feel this nurtures a low academic culture, especially compared to students from State Universities. There is also an assumption that the part-time teaching staff in Junior Colleges may not be as dedicated career-wise as full-time professors would be.

Some critics are of the opinion that Community Colleges foster class discrimination, given that low-income students are more likely to gravitate towards them and so will keep out of the 'privileged' institutes of higher study. The affiliate programs which allow Junior College students to transfer to State Universities cancel these arguments somewhat.

Community Colleges now face an increasing competition from online educational institutions. As a counter measure, many Junior Colleges have given themselves a technological face-lift and have incorporated distance education programs.