Virginia Junior Colleges

Virginia Highlands Community College

• Located in the western part of the state, Virginia Highlands Community College offers certificate programs designed to train students for a specific career and associate's degree programs for those planning to transfer to a four-year school. The school's educational offerings fall into six main classifications: human services and law enforcement; arts and education; business and information technology; science and horticulture; health; and engineering and industrial technology. Specific areas of focus include accounting, horticulture technology, dental hygiene, radiography and refrigeration. Opportunities to socialize with other students include intramural sports and a variety of student clubs and organizations. In the 2008-09 academic year, the school had an enrollment of about 3,600 students.

  Virginia Highlands Community College
  P.O. Box 828
  Abingdon, VA 24212
  276-739-2400
  http://www.vhcc.edu/index.aspx

Southside Virginia Community College

• About 8,000 people made up the student body of Southside Virginia Community College in May 2010. The school features eight campuses scattered around the central portion of the state. Major areas of study at the school include business technology; engineering and industrial technology; health technology; and public service technology. Students can earn certificates in bookkeeping, gaming technology, welding, website development and numerous other subjects. Associate degree offerings include administrative support technology, business administration, emergency medical services and nursing.

  Southside Virginia Community College
  Christanna Campus
  109 Campus Drive
  Alberta, VA 23821
  434- 949-1000
  http://www.southside.edu/

Northern Virginia Community College

• With an enrollment of more than 72,000 students on six campuses in May 2010, Northern Virginia Community College "is the largest educational institution in Virginia and the second-largest community college in the United States," notes its website. Students can receive certificates in architectural drafting, media streaming for the Internet, contract management, Chinese studies, massage therapy and numerous other subjects. Those pursuing a degree also have a wealth of options, including respiratory therapy, music, information systems, administration of justice and construction management technology. Athletic teams and student organizations help collegians connect.

  Northern Virginia Community College
  4001 Wakefield Chapel Road
  Annandale, VA 22003-3796
  703.323.3000
  http://www.nvcc.edu/index.html

Tidewater Community College

• Located in the coastal region of the state, Tidewater Community College boasted the state's second-highest student enrollment in May 2010 at around 40,000 students. The school's website notes it is the 35th-largest community college in the United States. Certificate programs available at Tidewater include early childhood instruction; electrical wiring; legal assistant; computer-aided drafting and design technology; and medical assisting. Students can achieve degrees in landscape design and management; interior design; respiratory therapy; automotive technology; and funeral services. The school features four campuses, a student government, sports and student clubs/organizations.

  Tidewater Community College
  121 College Place
  Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1938
  757-822-5100
  http://www.tcc.edu/