By:Nicole Falco
The Valley Stream residents founded the college in 1982, drawing on their individual career expereinces - Joseph as a certified public accountant and Constance as an educator.
"She was in the public domain as an administrator and I was in the private domain," Joseph said. "We thought 'Let's put the two together and train people to get jobs. We originall started as a business school and then we realized there was a demand for college. Everybody wanted a degree."
Six years ago, the college received accredidation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges for technology, and it is authorized to confer associate's degrees by the New York State Board of Regents. Students can use their degrees to transfer to a four-year college or they can use the hands-on experience they gained while in school to begin a career.
A student, attending class full-time can earn an associate's degree in computer technology in as little as 18 months, or in court reporting in as little as two years. Degrees earned from the college are designed to prepare graduates to pursue entry-level positions as court reporters, broadcast captioners, medical billing, computer specialists, administrative assistants, junior accountants, bookkeepers and more.
"Court reporting is flying through the roof," said Hank Meaney, admissions director. "It's making a resurgence."
According to an article published by CNN/Money in December 2003, court reporters have an earning potential well above $100,000, as do broadcast captioners, which require similar training. Joseph noted that court reporters can maintain very flexible schedules while still maintaining an above-average income. Starting salaries for court reporters average $50,000 a year. And, Meaney said students who specialize in court reporting typically field four to five job offers upon graduation.
Meaney is quick to point out the school's 95 percent graduation rate, 100 percent job placement rate (the college offers lifetime job placement), small class sizes and convenience to major forms of transportation, including the Long Island Railroad. And, only two other schools in the Metropolitan area offer training as a court reporter - one in Manhattan and another in Suffolk County, Joseph said.
The college is now registering students for the fall semester, which begins Oct. 11. With more than 20 instructors on staff and an average enrollment of about 200, the college is able to offer students the benefit of small calss sizes. Students are charged $215 per credit, plus the cost of books. Financial aid packages, including Pell Grants, student and parent loans, and TAP are available to eligible students. Classes are held quarterly, with three-week breaks between semesters. The college is closed all major legal and religious holidays.
For more information or to schedule a visit, call (516) 561-0074 or visit the college's web site at www.thecollegeforbusiness.com.
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