Kirkwood Community College (KCC) Academics and Admissions

Academics

Founded in 1966, Kirkwood Community College has the most credit programs in Iowa. There are more than 120 programs available. It is regionally accredited by the NCA, and the ADA for dental assisting, dental hygiene, and dental laboratory technology. It is also accredited by JR-CEND for electroneurodiagnostic technology, AHIMA for health information technology, AAMAE for medical assisting, APTA for physical therapy assisting, and ARCST for surgical technology. Kirkwood has ten locations across seven counties. It has the only Dental Technology program in the Midwest and the only Floral Careers program in Iowa. Students can also choose from 5 complete online degree programs. The college also offers adult accelerated learning classes and 16 career academies that allow high school students to earn college credit. International students can participate in the college’s award-winning English Language Acquisition program.

Kirkwood has one of the only health care simulation centers in Iowa, where students can get hands-on experience in emergency situations. It is also one of the only community colleges in the state that has a cadaver lab. There is also an impressive state-of-the-art education center that has classrooms and vocational labs.Kirkwood also offers unique opportunities for students who are interested in the hospitality industry. The Kirkwood Center is a luxuriously appointed hotel and conference facility and one of the only teaching hotels in the country. Kirkwood is also home to the Iowa Equestrian Center and the National Mass Fatalities Institute, two impressive complexes where students can have unique learning experiences.

Students can also participate in one of Kirkwood’s study abroad programs or make use of the free tutoring services. The Advising & Transfer Center helps students with anything from choosing classes to transferring to a four year school. Academic assistance is also available through Learning Services and Kirkwood offers accommodations for students with disabilities.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 43rd in Iowa and 2755th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	54.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$7,332
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	62% / 39%
Enrollment Total (all students)	13,906

Admissions

Students can apply to Kirkwood online. There is no application fee. Applicants will then receive a welcome letter and a temporary student ID card in the mail. The welcome letter will contain additional application instructions. Applicants should then create a password and access their Kirkwood email accounts. Students should also visit the Kirkwood campus and take the required placement exams (if they have not taken the ACT exam). Certain programs also require applicants to attend a program conference. International students and students pursuing online degrees must complete a different application process. Some programs have additional requirements. Applicants should refer to Kirkwood’s website for more information.

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Financial Aid

Kirkwood Community College has one of the lowest tuitions in Iowa. There are plenty of opportunities for full tuition scholarships; nearly $2 million in Kirkwood scholarships are awarded each year. Scholarships are also available for international students. Students can contact the One Stop Office at Kirkwood for assistance with all aspects of the financial aid application process. Financial aid awards typically feature combinations of scholarships, grants, work-study programs and loans that can come from federal, state, and college sources. There is also an installment payment plan available to help students pay for tuition expenses that are not covered by financial aid. In addition, Project Start provides diverse assistance to certain types of students. To be eligible for Project Start, students must meet certain financial guidelines and demonstrate academic potential. Participants are expected to be self-sufficient within one year. The first step in the financial aid application process is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is also available online.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5866th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Iowa.

Students

Kirkwood boasts a highly diverse student body, with students that range in age from 17 to 73. International students at Kirkwood come from as many as 105 different countries. Although there are no dorms at Kirkwood Community College, there is plenty of private housing available next to the main campus. Most apartment complexes are within walking distance of the campus. There is also a free bus service. Students can also use the Kirkwood Roommate Finder on Facebook.

All students have free access to Kirkwood’s enormous recreation center, which features a weight room, a fitness center, an aerobics room, a TV lounge and many other facilities. Free fitness classes and intramural sports are also available. Kirkwood also offers close to 100 free events each year, and there are more than 80 student organizations on campus. Students can attend fun and free events that range from hypnosis shows to movie or game nights. One popular Kirkwood event is Family Day, when students’ families visit them on campus and enjoy tours, hayrack rides, games, and other fun events. Each year, there are 6 music events that feature celebrity performers. Many of the students work part-time jobs; students can seek job and/or career placement assistance from Kirkwood’s Career Services Center.

Students have access to a wide variety of free services at the Campus Health Center. Services available include emergency treatments, family planning services, and over the counter medications. Crutches and wheelchairs are also available for loan. Kirkwood also has an extensive and newly renovated main library in addition to another smaller library. Both libraries offer numerous print and electronic resources as well as comfortable study areas. There are also two computer labs with printing capabilities on campus.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Kirkwood boasts a renowned reputation for its athletic teams, which are known as the Kirkwood Eagles. 26 Kirkwood student athletes have been honored as Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) All-Academic team members and two students have earned All-American honors for maintaining academic and athletic excellence. Kirkwood’s women’s basketball team has won 6 national championships while the men’s team has earned one national and 8 regional championships. The softball team has had 4 National Tournament appearances and the Baseball team has had two regional championships.The golf team has won 5 regional championships while the volleyball team has won 7.

Athletic facilities at Kirkwood include a softball field, a baseball field, a volleyball court, and a basketball court. The golf team plays at different public golf courses in Cedar Rapids. Students can also participate in the wide variety of intramural and club sports that are available at Kirkwood.

Bibliography

Kirkwood Community College. Kirkwood Community College. 2011. Web. 9 May 2011.

Peterson’s. Vocational and Technical Schools West 2010-2011. Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, 2009.

Kirkwood Community College