With three major locations and over 100 areas of study, Sinclair is the largest community college in the Dayton area. Sinclair offers three clearly differentiated educational tracks for student choice: preparatory for a 4-year college, career-related, and independent study. A public community college, Sinclair extends its career preparation services to community learning centers and online degree programs. Students can obtain certificates and associate degrees at Sinclair in a broad spectrum of areas: liberal arts, science and math, and applied sciences. In the Life and Health Sciences Division, for example, a student can obtain an associate degrees in mental health technology, dental hygiene, diet and nutrition or physical education science. Among shorter certificate programs are the broad-based field of medical billing and the more narrowly focused tissue bank technology.
Clark State maintains two locations in southern Dayton and offers up to 80 degrees and certificates, several of them online. Clark State offers both associate degrees and shorter-term certificate programs in agriculture, business, computers, court reporting, early childhood education, engineering, graphic design, health, public safety, social services, theater arts and truck driving. The school's review of associate degrees awarded in recent years suggest high student interest in criminal justice, industrial technology and computer systems, including cybersecurity and e-commerce issues. A horticultural technology degree that includes parks management and turf technology is also popular. Like Sinclair, Clark State is prepared for students taking their first 2 years of a 4-year degree at community college as well as students headed into, or back into, the job market directly from school.
National College comes to the community college field from different origins. Part of a chain of business schools throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, National has obtained accreditation from state higher education agencies. The school's focus remains on business and business-related medical service fields. Business associate degrees include accounting, information systems and paralegal degrees. Medical service associate degrees include pharmacy technology, clinical laboratory technology, along with health information and surgical technology degrees. National offers certificates in all fields of study, associate degrees and some bachelor's degrees as well. Not every degree is offered at every location.
Kettering shows yet another foundation basis for a community college program. A Seventh-Day Adventist school attached to Kettering Medical Center, Kettering receives support from and reflects the principles of its faith-based sponsor. Kettering offers bachelor's degrees in human biology, health professions and nursing. Associate degrees are offered in nursing, respiratory care, and imaging, including radiologic, sonographic, and magnetic resonance. Students can also earn certificates in imaging specialties.