Founded in 1946 in Hartford, Porter and Chester Institute began as an engineering design school. It merged in 1973 with the Chester Institute for Technical Education, and later incorporated the Porter Institute of Rocky Hill. Now in several locations in the tri-state area, Porter and Chester educates young and non-traditional students in automotive technology, computer-aided drafting and design, information technicology, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, and medical staff positions such as administrative health, dental assistant, medical assistant and practical nursing. A fully accredited two-year school, it offers flexible schedules for students with a job or a family.
Tunxis Community College is a fully accredited two-year college in Farmington. It offers a two-year degree in general studies that can be transferred to a four-year university, as well as two-year technical degrees in criminal justice, human services, new media communications, computer information, business technology and early childhood education. A fully accredited program for those wishing to go into the medical assistant field includes programs in dental hygiene, physical therapist assistant and drug and alcohol counseling. Serving the Bristol-New Britain and Farmington Valley areas since 1969, the college has a student body of about 7,000. Federal financial aid can be applied and other financial aid services are available.
Sanford-Brown, in Farmington, is a two-year school that specializes in medical assistance programs, including medical assistant and diagnostic medical sonography. Programs also include nursing, business administration, art design, allied health diagnostics and dental assistant. It's fully accredited, can accept federal financial aid and offers flexible schedules.
Located in Middlesex, Middlesex Community College offers over 50 degrees and certificate programs. Technical degrees include engineering science, radiologic technology, pre-allied health care, early childhood education, criminal justice, substance abuse education and therapeutic recreation. It also offers ophthalmic design and dispensing for students who are interested in helping people with their vision. A technical degree in manufacturing covers all aspects of mass production and design. Students in this track can study machine technology or manufacturing machine technology.