• NON-COLLEGE POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS

    Adapted from Woodburn Press

  • Community and Technical Colleges

    • Community and public technical colleges provide affordable, career-oriented programs that enable student to begin their careers after two years or less.  Students completing short-term programs receive a certificate, and those who complete a two-year program earn an associate’s degree.  Students can also start at a community or technical college and then transfer to a four-year college after a year or two.
    • College Navigator - search for "Certificate" or "Associate's" 

  • Apprenticeships

    • Students who prefer a hands-on approach to learning may consider an apprenticeship program.  Apprentices learn their trade through a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.  They are considered by many to be the best way to receive training in the skilled trades.  Apprenticeship programs have a limited number of openings and competition can be fierce.  The process can also be lengthy.
    • Apprenticeship.gov - Apprenticeship USA
    • Apprenticeships: A Pathway to a Rewarding Career - ACT

  • Career and Trade Schools

    • Career and trade schools offer short-term training in a wide variety of career fields.  While some programs last only a few weeks, others take up to two years to complete.  Students in career and trade school typically spend most of their class time in job-related settings where they receive hands-on training from experienced instructors. It is important that students do their research to ensure that the career or trade school is licensed and accredited.
    • What's the difference?
      • Technical schools: the curriculum provides students with a broader academic foundation, focusing on the principles of the field of study.
      • Career/Vocational schools: more career-focused, emphasizing occupational-specific skill development.
    • College Navigator - search for "2-year" or "<2-year" programs
    • Vocational/Trade School Overview
    • Vocational/Trade School Search
    • NJ Vocational/Trade School Search
    • Real Work Matters
    • NJ Trade Schools - The New Jersey institutions listed here are accredited and have financial aid assistance for those who qualify.
      • Lincoln Tech – Edison, Moorestown, Paramus, Union, Mahwah, South Plainfield
      • American Institute – Somerset, Toms River
      • Branford Hall Career Institute – Jersey City
      • Empire Beauty School – Bloomfield, Bordentown, Cherry Hill, Paramus, Union
      • Altierus – South Plainfield
      • Fortis Institute – Wayne, Lawerenceville
      • Berkeley College – New Jersey and New York
      • Jolie Hair & Beauty Academy – Cherry Hill, Northfield, Turnersville
      • Eastern International College – Belleville, Jersey City
      • Smith & Solomon – Linden, Bordentown, Bellmawr, Lakewood

  • On-the-Job Training

    • Students who get a job after they graduate usually receive some sort of on-the-job training.  These short-term training programs are not intended to provide individuals with a career. They are designed simply to teach employees what they need to know to perform a specific job.
Last Modified on November 7, 2023