Located in Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College (STCC) offers its students small classroom sizes and a wide range of degree and certificate programs at a lower cost than state universities. Thirteen thousand students attend STCC each year, making it the largest two-year college in the state. The school spreads across seven campuses and offers a variety of online courses so that students can study at any time or place. Available degrees include criminal justice studies, hospitality management, biotechnology, nursing and information technology. Resources available to students include an advising and counseling center, child care and a career services center.
At the International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT) in Nashville, students have the opportunity to focus on design in many forms. IADT offers programs in fields such as digital media, photography, graphic design, interior design and fashion merchandising. Both two- and four-year degrees are available for most programs. While no specific prerequisites other than a certificate of high school completion (or an equivalent) are required, all interested applicants must interview in person before being considered for admission. IADT works with a local organization to provide shared housing for nonlocal students.
The Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville offers students a variety of ways to study, including full-time programs, online courses and part-time programs, with night classes available. The campus sits on 20 acres of land two miles from downtown Shelbyville and has satellite campuses in Fayetteville and Winchester. Students can earn technical diplomas or certificates in subjects such as automotive technology, industrial maintenance, welding and nursing. Scholarships are available on a limited basis to students who demonstrate financial need and clear career objectives.
Columbia State Community College (CSCC) serves nine counties in Tennessee through five campuses and is the oldest community college in the state. The main campus, located in Columbia, offers courses in fields such as nursing, horticulture, computer networking and radiology. EMT certification is also available. CSCC encourages social networking between students in the form of extracurricular activities. The Office of Student Life sponsors festivals, picnics, intramural sporting events and other social activities throughout the year. The school awards more than $10 million in financial aid each year to more than 70 percent of the student body.