Running Head: TECHNOLOGCIAL COLLEGES

Literature Review of Technological Schools

Rosaisela Pineda
University of Texas at El Paso

TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGES

Abstract
Many students underestimate the importance of choosing a college in which to attend.
Some go right away to a four-year college and others go to a two-year college. Whether they
pick the school for their name or because it is less expensive, students tend to not know the
differences between a technological school and a four-year college.
Introduction: Literature Review of Technological Colleges
Today technological schools, also referred to as a two-year college, have become more
popular when it comes to achieving a higher education. According to a research, A two-year
public college retention rose from 53 percent in 2005 to 56 percent and at four-year private
colleges, the retention rate was 72 percent, down from 75 percent in 2005 (Adams, 2011). This
research shows a major impact in todays education because more and more people are able to
achieve a higher education within a short time period. It also shows that as two-year colleges are
becoming more successful, a regular four-year college is having trouble keeping the students in
college until graduation.
Picking which college to attend can become difficult considering all the options out there,
but choosing between a two-year college and a four-year college can be confusing and requires a
little more insight in what the college has to offer. In a two-year college, schooling is based off a
specific degree whereas a four-year college degree is broader, making your degree credible for
various career paths.
The following literature review will explain the differences between a technological
college and a regular four-year college and the impact that they have in todays education. With

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the following questions this literature review will answer common questions about technological
schools:
1). What are the differences between a technological school and four-year college?
2). How have technological schools impacted todays education system?
3). Have technological schools changed the graduation rate of four-year colleges?
4). Is a degree from a technological school perceived equivalent to a degree from a four
year-college?
Whether we pick a two-year college or a four-year college, obtaining a higher
education has become an essential goal for todays society.
What are the differences between a technological school and four-year colleges?
In order to decide which college to attend one must be well informed about the
differences between technological schools and four-year colleges. It is important to not only
know what degrees they each have to offer but as well as how much each can cost, and how they
approach in teaching the skills that one needs for the field of the students choice.
A four- year college can offer degrees in fields such as biology, liberal arts, and
engineering to name a few. These degrees, can open many job opportunities from becoming a
biology teacher, to going into biology research, or continue into medical school. Whereas a twoyear college is more specific to a certain job such as mechanics. Western Technical College
offers degrees from mechanics to marketing, and medical assistants, narrowing a students choice
in finding a job.
According to an article of Higher Education, By Neil Kokemuller, technological schools
can sometimes become more expensive than a regular four-year college, Technical programs do

TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGES

sometimes have higher fees and program-related costs. Sometimes the schools will require the
student to buy their own tools and equipment needed for the program. Also if you decide that you
are no longer interested in the program you started, one cannot simple change ones degree plan
and go to another one, thus the student must start over again. Whereas in a four-year college you
can simply change degrees and take the remaining courses that you need in order to complete
your requirements.
Technological schools are faster and base their courses more on hands on skills that
enable the student to be prepared to work with the tools in their job. One way community and
technical colleges have responded to the technology changes in the workplace is by significantly
expanding opportunities for postsecondary preparation for work and skill upgrading (Washbon,
2012). Technology is advancing as time progresses and it is important to not only know the
basics of a certain job, but to be capable of working with any technology equipment that is
needed.

How have technological schools impacted todays education system?

Many people choose to attend a technological school because it doesnt require many
years of study and it gives the required perpetrations to get a well-paying job. Technological
schools have had a huge effect on retention levels. Overall, about 67 percent of first-year
students return to the same institution for their second year of college, according to the 2010
survey of than 2,500 colleges and universities nationwide (Adams, 2011). This is important
because being admitted into a college isnt as hard as continuing your higher education into

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obtaining a degree. Technological schools help students continue on until graduation, due to the
flexible schedules and short time periods.
Not only has technological schools opened up opportunities around the world for
obtaining a higher education, they have increased the rates of many ethnic groups that have low
social economic status. U.S. Bureau of the Census (1996) data project that the proportional
representation of African American and Hispanic students among traditional-age students is
expected to grow from 28.7% in 2000 to 35.5% by 2020 (Opp, 2001). Technological colleges
have made it easy for many people who dont have the resources or a lot of time to study. Giving
students many opportunities for them to get a higher education with the proper resources.

Have technological schools changed the graduation rate of 4 year colleges?

Research has shown that many students arent prepared for college right after high school
graduation. A study in a two-year college showed that they were better prepared in mathematics
than students at a four-year college, Approximately twice the number of community
college students are enrolled in developmental education compared to fouryear public universities
(Davidson, 2015). This research was used to study students at Kentuckys
community college and a technical school, by seeing how the students
become persistent upon graduating. Community colleges offer a wide
range of educational objectives (e.g., diplomas, certificates, degrees, etc.).
Studies measuring the effects of a particular degree program have found

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mixed results regarding persistence. Cofer and Somers (2000) found that
degree program had no effect on persistence (Davidson, 2015). This shows
that whether you go to a community college or technological college, there
are always going to be contributing factors in which in which a student
completes their higher education or not. These factors can go as far as
family related situations or even students just losing aspirations to continue.

Is a degree from a technological school perceived equivalent to a degree from a four-year

college?
Although a degree from a four year college can open job various job opportunities as
compared to a technological college, they both lead up to well-paying jobs. It might take a little
more time to complete a four year college compared to a two year college. A research was done
studying if students who go to technological schools and who actually get the opportunity to
accomplish great things. The research showed that it doesnt matter if you attend a four year or a
two year, if the student shows persistence they can obtain various opportunities from the two.

Christina Cobos is a current student in the University of Texas of El Paso, as a junior

under the major of forensic science. In 2009, Cobos went to a two-year program for Allied

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Borton Security Services. She joined this program in order to be able to help support her mom
and her little sister. Cobos was asked if she felt that the program that she went through helped her
with her current job as a security officer for the company of Jobs, and she said, Although we did
learn many skills that are necessary for the job, there were many things that I wasnt prepared for
such as dealing with the people who dont cooperate with you after you have done everything
that was instructed to do. Cobos claims that her job as a security officer is a well-paid job that is
fun and you can always expect the unexpected but she would much rather continue her education
under forensic science.
Cobos has had the opportunity to not only attend a four year university but as well as a
technological school. She said that both schools where a handful but her classes at UTEP are a
little more difficult than the security courses. Cobos explains. If you have a desire to accomplish
a degree, whether it being from a four year or a technological school, the work will not be easy,
but at the end everything will pay off.

Conclusion
Obtaining a degree is very important now a days and deciding which college to attend to
is not easy with so many options out there. Both four year and a technological school have their
benefits as well as some challenges, the important thing is to find a college that will help the
students obtain a career that they feel passionate about.

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References
ADAMS, C. (2011). Two-Year Colleges Improve Freshman-Retention Rate: Education Week,
30(19), 4.
Davidson, J. C., & Petrosko, J. M. (2015). Predictors of persistence for developmental math
students in a community and technical college system: Community College Journal Of
Research & Practice, 39(2), 163-178.

Dew, J. R. (2012). The Future of American Higher Education: World Future Review
(World Future Society), 4(4), 7-13.

Goble, L. J., Rosenbaum, J. E., & Stephan, J. L. (2008). Do institutional attributes predict
individuals' degree success at two-yar colleges?:New Directions for Community
Colleges ,2008(144), 63-72
Gonzalez, A., & Hilmer, M. J. (2006). The role of 2-year colleges in the improving situation of
Hispanic postsecondary education: Economics Of Education Review, 25(3), 249-257.
Opp, R. D. (2001). Enhancing recruitment success for two-year college students of color:
Community College Journal Of Research & Practice, 25(2), 71-86.

Sandy, J., Gonzalez, A., & Hilmer, M. J. (2006). Alternative paths to college completion: Effect
of attending a 2-year school on the probability of completing a 4-year degree: Economics
Of Education Review, 25(5), 463-471.

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Washbon, J. L. (2012). Learning and the new workplace: Impacts of technology change
postsecondary career and technical education: New Directions For Community
Colleges, 43-52.
Primary Source: Christina Cobos, Interviewed on April 2, 2014