Community Colleges of Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan may be a very rural area, but we still have great opportunities for higher education. There are two main community colleges in northern Michigan. Kirtland Community College near Roscommon and the University Center at Gaylord serve students from the northern Michigan area.

Kirtland Community College

I took several classes at Kirtland Community College when I first moved to northern Michigan. Kirtland is located 11 miles from Roscommon, Michigan. It serves students in Roscommon, Grayling, Fairview, Mio, Lewiston, West Branch, Rose City and surrounding communities.

Kirtland has two 15 week semesters as well as a shorter summer semester. Kirtland Community College offers 50 degrees or certificates and 6 transfer degrees. My sister graduated from Kirtland with associate degrees in both Business Administration and Theater Arts.

Kirtland Community College offers the following transfer degrees:

Associate in Arts
Associate in Business Administration
Associate in Computers
Associate in Criminal Justice
Associate in Fine Arts (Creative Writing, Studio Art or Theatre Arts)
Associate in Science (Life Science or Physical Science)
Associate in Teaching

Kirtland also offers many two year applied sciences degrees. A few of these degrees are:

Administrative Assistant
Animation and Game Design
Automotive Technology
Cosmetology
Electrical Technology
Emergency Medical Services
Graphic Design
Massage Therapy
Nursing
Welding and Fabrication

If you are short on time and want to further your education, you can enroll in one of Kirtland’s many one year certificate programs, some of which are:

Basic Emergency Medical Technician
Bookkeeping
Correctional Officer
Medical Billing and Coding
Office Assistant
Web Master

Kirtland partners with other four year colleges. Partners include Davenport University, Franklin University, Lake Superior State University, Ferris State University and Saginaw Valley State University.

Tuition at Kirtland is $77.50 per credit hour for in-district residents and $142 per credit hour for out of district residents. Financial aid is available for students who qualify. There are three available foundation scholarships. Kirtland also offers a work study program, which my sister participated in while she was a student.

University Center in Gaylord, Michigan

The University Center in Gaylord, Michigan serves northern Michigan by offering classes from various accredited colleges and universities in one location. Classes are offered by Davenport University, Eastern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, Madonna University, Michigan State University, Kirtland Community College M-TEC, North Central Michigan College, and Spring Arbor University.

You can earn your associates or bachelors degree entirely at the University Center. Some of the associate degree programs include:

Associate of General Studies – North Central Michigan College
Associate of Applied Science in Carpentry – Kirtland Community College M-TEC
Associate of Business Administration in Accounting – Davenport University
Associate of Business Administration in Management – Davenport University

Tuition at the University Center is set by the parent college or university. If you enrolled in a program offered by Davenport University, you would technically be a student of Davenport and would pay tuition to that school. You can also receive financial aid from the parent school.

I have been attending classes at the University Center through Davenport University. I have been pleased with my experience. I am receiving a quality education close to home.

Sources

Kirtland Community College, http://www.kirtland.cc.mi.us/

University Center at Gaylord Michigan, http://www.ucgaylord.org/