Iowa has a statewide system of 15 community colleges. These public, postsecondary, two-year institutions are organized as comprehensive community colleges. Each college serves a multi-county merged area which may vary in size from four to twelve counties; all of Iowa's 99 counties are included in one of these merged areas.

Community colleges are governed by locally elected boards of directors that consist of from five to nine members who are elected for terms of three years. Each community college offers a comprehensive educational program. All Iowans of postsecondary school age are eligible to attend any of the community colleges. Community colleges also offer special programs for students who attend local secondary schools.

Community colleges have an "open-door" admission policy which guarantees Iowans an opportunity for educational assistance and career development regardless of previous educational attainment. To implement this policy, community colleges offer: assistance in developing skills necessary for success in preparatory career and college parallel programs; supplementary services to disabled and disadvantaged students; and a variety of other support services designed to help students succeed.

The community colleges offer programs in three major areas of instruction:

Through adult education, the community colleges provide part-time programs for adult students. These programs include: adult basic education programs for adults who have less than an eighth grade education; high school completion programs leading to adult high school diplomas and high school equivalency diploma; supplementary career programs of vocational and technical education for upgrading the skills of employed Iowans; and continuing education programs for adults who desire instruction to meet pre-occupational training needs, avocational and recreational interests, or other needs.

The preparatory career programs of vocational and technical education provide preparation for immediate employment in a wide variety of careers. Those training programs ordinarily require full-time instruction of four weeks to two years. Many of these programs are cooperative programs which provide classroom instruction in conjunction with paid employment experience related to the career preparation, and many are available on a part-time basis.

The college parallel program provides arts and sciences courses that may be transferred to other colleges and universities as the equivalent of the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate program. Included in college parallel are some programs that also provide preparation for entry level employment through career option programs.

Many unique educational programs and opportunities are also offered by the community colleges. These include programs available in two-year institutions in adjacent states through tuition reciprocity agreements; programs for incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities; evaluation and assessment centers; developmental education programs and services for underprepared students; special programs for the disabled, including sheltered workshops; customized training programs for business and industry; incubation centers to assist the development of small businesses; and the administration of service delivery areas for the Federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA).

All community colleges comply with approval standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

Additional information on individual community colleges may be obtained by communicating directly with the appropriate office in the college.