During the past 60 years, 2-year colleges have increased rapidly in numbers and in enrollment of students. Over 650 institutions of the 2-year type have been established in this short period, and the number of students served each year by the public and private 2-year colleges has grown to the impressive total of over three-quarters of a million. Considering the rate of development of the 2-year college movement, it is little wonder that procedures for the establishment of these colleges have not been examined exhaustively. This study was undertaken by the Office of Education for three reasons. These were to collate and report information on criteria for establishing and developing 2-year colleges presently found in State laws and regulations; to secure and report the opinions of people who have had experience in the 2-year college field on criteria that should be used; and to provide some guidelines which might be used by those interested in organizing a State system of public 2 year colleges or in establishing individual institutions. The Higher Education Division of the Office of Education is pleased, therefore, to present this report of a comprehensive study on criteria for the establishment of 2-year colleges. It is a study that has been frequently requested in the past 5 years, and should make a significant contribution to the literature in the field of 2-year colleges. Contents include: (1) Introduction; (2) Statutory and Regulatory Criteria in Use in 1959; (3) Survey of Professional Opinion on Criteria for 2-Year Colleges; and (4) Some Proposed Criteria and Guidelines for Action. Appended are: (1) Statutory and Regulatory Criteria in Operation in 1959 for the Establishment of 2-Year Colleges by States; and (2) Interview Form on Criteria for Establishing or Continuing 2-Year Colleges. (Contains 9 tables and 35 footnotes.) [Best copy available has been provided.]