A fully accredited university, East Carolina University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in both arts and sciences: including business, applied physics, biochemistry, social work and fine arts. East Carolina's health sciences school offers dentistry, medicine and nursing programs, and is affiliated with Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The college is home to three libraries including a music library. It is a member of NCAA Division 1-A in all sports, including football, basketball, tennis, diving, track and swimming. Fifteen dormitory buildings house residential students, although East Carolina offers an innovative distance degree program as well.
Directed by Ron Hawkins, a member of the National Cosmetology Hall of Fame, Mitchell's Academy offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics and manicuring. The cosmetology degree is a 1,500-hour program, which teaches all aspects of hair design, salon management and appointment scheduling. Esthetics students will spend 600 hours learning skin care and treatment, back treatments, hair removal, makeup application and microdermabrasion. The two-month manicure program teaches all aspects of providing manicures and pedicures. Each program fully prepares students for the appropriate North Carolina state licensing exams.
Though physically located just outside Greenville, Pitt Community College serves Greenville students as well as all of Pitt County. The college is fully accredited to award associate degrees, attainable in two years when pursued on a full-time basis. Pitt College offers programs in five academic divisions: Arts and Sciences, Business, Construction and Industrial Technology, Legal Science and Public Service and Health Sciences. A high school diploma or GED is required for admission. All incoming students are required to take placement tests unless pre-college test scores or previous college-level classes qualify the student for a waiver. Admissions counselors are available and recommended for all students prior to registering for a specific program.
Located just 12 miles from Greenville in Washington, North Carolina, Beaufort County Community College provides a reasonable alternative for students in the Greenville area. Accredited to award associate degrees, certificates and diplomas, Beaufort's admission policy is open-door, which means all applicants are accepted. Placement tests may be required. Programs offered include GED, basic skills, EMT, nurse aide, truck driving and human resources development, many of which can be completed through distance education.