• Year Established: 1971
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Number of Campuses: 6 Commuter Campuses in Texas
• Classification: Community college system
• Total Number of Enrollees: 39,516*

*Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2005 Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System IPEDS, Spring 2006

A Brief Look into the History of the Houston Community College System

If you're thinking about going to a community college and you live within the Houston area in Texas, then the Houston Community College System should be your number one pick. There isn't much detail available about the history of the HCCS, but it did get its first start as an educational institution back in 1971. This school used to be what is called an umbrella school under the Houston Independent School District before the actual HCCS was formed.

Before HCSS was fully established as an individual entity, classes were held during the weekends and in the evenings on the various existing facilities of the Houston Independent School District. It was only in 1997 that HCSS began fully operating on its own as an independent community college district, with several campuses constructed throughout the community college's service area.

As a community college, the goal of HCCS is to custom-tailor the education for each unique individual so that person can achieve his or her full potential.

How the Educational System Works

Below is a list of the school districts which are included in the Houston Community College's official service areas:

• Alief Independent School District
• Fort Bend Independent School District
• Houston Independent School District
• Katy Independent School District
• North Forest Independent School District
• Stafford Musical School District
• Spring Branch Independent School District

Next, there are 7 colleges which comprise the Houston Community College System – and the cities where they are located range from Bunker Hill Village to Stafford.

1. Central
2. Coleman
3. Northeast
4. Northwest
5. Southeast
6. Southwest
7. District

Program Listings

The Houston Community College System offers the following academic degrees, workforce degrees, certificates, continuing education courses and distance education programs.

• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Horticulture Technology
- Veterinary Paramedic
• Architecture & Construction
- Construction Technology
- Heating, AC & Refrigeration
- Industrial Electricity
• Arts, AV Technology & Communications
- Audio Recording-Video Production
- Broadcast Technology
- Digital Communication
- Filmmaking
- Technical Communication
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Merchandising
- Interior Design
- Music Arranging, Composition, Production
- Music Business
- Music in Performance
• Business
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Business Technology
- International Business
- Logistics
- Finance (Banking)
- Marketing
- Real Estate
• Education & Schools
- Child Development
• Government & Public Service
- Public Administration
- Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement-Police Science
- Fire Protection & Safety Technology
- Paralegal Technology
• Health & Medical Sciences
- Cardiovascular Technology
- Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Dental Assisting
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Emergency Medical Services
- Health & Fitness Instructor
- Health Information Technology
- Histologic Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Nursing (RN)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Radiography-Computed Tomography
- Respiratory Therapist
- Surgical Technology
- Vocational Nursing (LVN)
• Hospitality & Tourism
- Culinary Arts
- Hotel-Restaurant Management
- Travel & Tourism
• Human Services & Social Sciences
- Cosmetology and Barbering
- Human Service Technology
- Sign Language-Interpretation & Translation
• Information Technology
- Computer Programming-Applications Development
- Computer Science Technology
- Computer Systems Networking & Telecommunications
- Digital Gaming & Simulation
- Geographic Information Science
• Manufacturing
- Machining Technology
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology
- Welding Technology
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Laboratory Technology
- Computer & Electronic Engineering Technology
- Chemical Engineering Technology
- Drafting & Design Engineering Technology
- Instrumentation & Controls Engineering Technology
- Petroleum Engineering Technology
- Process Technology
• Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
- Autobody-Collision & Repair Technician
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation Maintenance Technology
- Diesel Engine Mechanic & Repairer
- Logistics

Advantages of Enrolling at the Houston Community College System

So what are the benefits you will enjoy once you attend HCCS? Basically, if you live within the Houston area, HCCS is as good a place as any to begin your college education. Even if they only offer two-year associate degree programs, you can take with you a superior initial education to build-upon in the continued pursuit of your four-year degree.

The good thing about obtaining your introductory college education at HCCS is that you can begin your quest for a degree at a facility near you. After finishing a two-year program at a member community college of the Lone Star College System, you can continue at the LSC-University Center to earn your Bachelor's or Master's degree.

HCCS has a range of vocational and technical courses to choose from. When you visit their website, there is a portion which helps incoming college students choose the career path best suited for them. The first step is to choose the career cluster you want to pursue – whether it's in line with architecture, business or medical sciences. The next step is to find an educational pattern that will suit your educational goals and finally, you can draft a plan so that you can pursue a college degree.

When you take a look at Student's Reviews, the overall rating of HCCS as a community college is C, with 55% of the students saying that they would choose to return there. More on how this particular review can be assessed later.

A Glimpse at the Weather when Studying at the Houston Community College System

Houston is a gem of a place nestled right in the heart of the Gulf Coast. As such, you get to enjoy good weather during most of the year. The average temperature year-round is around 70 degrees, with an annual precipitation rate of about 45 inches.

During the heat of the summer, the temps can reach up to 90 degrees but the good news is that you won't have to endure a freezing winter during the cold months – when the temp reaches only about 50 degrees.

Is There Any Downside to Enrolling at the Houston Community College System?

As mentioned earlier, HSCC only got a C grade from the students. Basically, what they found lacking in HSCC as an educational institution is the helpfulness of the staff in solving some of the student's problems. The social life and the extracurricular activities also didn’t rank high in the reviews written by the students themselves.

A Final Word about the Quality of Education Offered

Despite some of the negative reviews, there are still a lot of positive things that HCCS has going for it as an educational institution. As a community college, a large number of students find that the central campus is a quiet place to learn and pursue the type of education they are after. The HSCC summer school program seems to be receiving rave reviews from the students.

HCSS is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. So if you are looking for a practical way to get a head start with your college education and you live in the Houston area, you are privileged to have a significant and extensive educations institution in the Houston Community College System.