Cowley County Community College

Cowley County Community College Academics

Located in the center of America’s heartland, Arkansas City, Kansas, Cowley County Community College has grown to become one of the state’s leading community colleges. Offering more than 68 majors and degree possibilities, Cowley prepares students to transfer to four-year institutions or to enter the workforce.

In 2007, Cowley celebrated 85 years of existence. Established in 1922 under the name of Arkansas City Junior College, its first classes were held in the basement of a local high school. It was not until 1950 that the institution moved to its own building – Galle-Johnson Hall.

Today, the institution once known as “Basement University” includes seven education centers and spans three counties. Its main campus is located in Arkansas City, but it has academic centers in Mulvane and Winfield Kansas as well.

Accredited by the NCAS Higher Learning Commission, Cowley works in tandem with state universities as well as local and state government officials to provide the best education possible to all of its students. Class sizes are small – about 18 students per class – and tuition is affordable – $23 per credit hour. Cowley provides its students with a comprehensive post-high school experience, offering programs designed to meet specific expectations and goals. The institution functions upon a base of core values that include a strong support system, community development and ethics.

As mentioned, Cowley County Community College offers nearly 70 majors and degree programs, ranging from transferable associate’s degrees to certificates to specific job skills training. Five different degree certificate options are offered at Cowley County Community College – Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of General Studies and vocational certificates.

These degrees are presented by six academic departments:

• Allied Health
• Business, Computers & Information Technology
• Humanities
• Career & Technical Education
• Natural Science & Mathematics
• Social Science

Each department includes several majors and programs intended to prepare students to meet their specific educational and/or professional goals. The most popular fields of study at Cowley are Liberal Arts & Sciences, Airframe Mechanics and Airframe Maintenance Technology, Cosmetology, Welding Technology and Industrial Radiologic Technology, but several other possibilities exist, ranging from Criminal Justice to Theatre to Business Management.

The Cowley curriculum consists of both general education and occupational education courses. General education classes are held in the areas of natural sciences, social sciences and humanities and are comparable to lower-division courses in four-year Kansas state universities. Such courses are of interest to both students looking to transfer to four-year institutions and to those engaged in occupational training.

Occupational education courses are offered in the areas of business, service and industrial technology, some of which may be used to transfer to select advanced technical education programs. Courses that fall within this category are developed alongside representatives of state and local government and business industry professionals to ensure that the information they provide to students is up-to-date and relevant.

Cowley County Community College Unique Programs

End-based degree and certificate programs are not the only academic options Cowley County Community College has to offer. In fact, some of the most interesting features of Cowley are its continuing education programs. The institution offers several credit and non-credit courses. Some, such as the Allied Health program, serve as forms of recertification. Others are geared towards business and industry training and safety.

Perhaps the most unique offering at Cowley comes in its Golden Tigers program, a set courses geared specifically for those over the age of 50. Senior citizens looking to enrich their lives are able to participate in fitness classes, spiritual courses, cultural programs and day trips with others of the same age group. This program fosters a relationship between Cowley County Community College, its students and the community of Arkansas City, Kansas at large.

Cowley County Community College Admissions

There is no time limit for applying to Cowley County Community College – fee-free applications are accepted year-round for fall, spring and summer semesters. Admission rates at Cowley are generally 100%, though the institution is selective in some programs.

Admission requires the submission of all high school and college transcripts. No ACT or SAT scores are necessary unless specified. New students as well as freshman and sophomore transfer students are welcome to apply whenever they like, keeping in mind that placement tests in reading, English writing and mathematics will be required of most entering students.

Cowley County Community College Financial Aid

If you are not a need based student, non-need distribution for financial aid is determined by Academics and Athletics. Financial aid distribution is at fifty-three percent scholarships per grants and forty-seven percent loans per jobs. Similarly, need based financial aid distribution is determined through Academics, Alumni Affiliation, Art, Athletics, Leadership, Minority Status, Music/Drama and State/District Residency. Financial aid forms are FAFSA and Institution’s own financial aid form. Financial aid for students is readily accessible at this school.

Cowley County Community College Students

Though community colleges are not usually known for the student community they foster, at Cowley County Community College, this is not necessarily the case. Cowley’s five dormitories house up to 432 students (30% of first-year students and 10% of the entire student population as a whole). All five dormitories offer students internet, cable, laundry, wellness center membership, computer labs and 24-hour security free of cost. Meal plans are available as well. Furthermore, a $500 dorm stipend is given to all students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

All Cowley students are welcome and encouraged to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities. The institution offers a quite comprehensive intramural sports program that includes volleyball, softball, flag football, table tennis and pool among others. It offers both instrumental and vocal music activities, including groups that perform various types of music at local and statewide events. Cowley also has many student-run clubs based around various topics and themes. While at one cafeteria table it’s possible to overhear members of the Film Club discussing the approach of the Academy Awards, at another one may come across Young Republicans talking about possible candidates for the 2012 presidential election.

Though fraternities and sororities are not present on the Cowley campus, there are two Greek organizations meant to honor scholarship among its students. The first – Phi Theta Kappa – seeks to recognize and promote scholarship among two-year college students. To be eligible for membership, students must possess a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have completed at least 12 credit hours in their respective degree programs. The second Greek organization encountered at Cowley is Mu Alpha Sigma Chi, a club meant to promote excellence and advancement in the areas of math and science. Both organizations are open to all students, both male and female, and reflect Cowley’s commitment to academic excellence.

Along such lines, Cowley also seeks to recognize its most outstanding students by honoring a “Student of the Month.” Though half of its students are part-time, the institution does a fine job of fostering a strong sense of community and getting involved with all of its 4,500 students.

Cowley County Community College Athletics

Cowley County Community College has a strong varsity sports program one may not always expect from a community college. The Tigers participate in baseball, basketball, tennis, softball, track and field, cross country, cheerleading and golf all on a varsity level. Though its varsity football program was discontinued in 1983, in 2008, both men’s and women’s soccer were included on the Cowley athletics list.

A member of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Athletic Conference, Cowley found success in baseball in the late 1990s. The Cowley Baseball Team won two consecutive NJCAA World Series Championships in 1997 and 1998. In one of those years, current Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafter was a member of the team.

Cowley encourages the participation of alumni and locals in its athletics program, inviting them to watch games and asking for their support in the Cowley Athletics Booster Club.

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Associate's — Public Rural-serving Medium

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Associate's degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification