The College offers a wide range of credit courses and programs designed to build skills and prepare for transfer or direct employment. In addition, the College provides non-credit options through the Small Business Development Center and the Community Education and Adult Basic Skills departments. The College engages in a variety of partnerships to support students and the community.
Credit Options (Transfer, CTE, Individualized Study, Developmental Courses)
Transfer
The College offers several options to support students who intend to transfer their credits to earn a bachelor’s degree at another college or university. The Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer provides students with several assurances when transferred to any Oregon public university. The Associate of Science degree prepares students to transfer either to a specific baccalaureate-granting institution, to a specific major, or both. The Oregon Transfer Module, while not a full certificate or degree, is designed to transfer to Oregon community colleges and public universities; all credits will be applied toward general education requirements.
Career and Technical Education
The Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates are designed to prepare students with technical skills so they can enter the workforce after graduation.
Individualized Study
The College offers the Associate of General Studies for students who are not pursuing a specific transfer or career and technical program but wish to design a course of study to meet their individual needs.
Developmental Courses
The College offers courses that prepare students for college-level courses in computers/technology, math, and writing.
Community Education
The College’s Community Education department offers innovative, high-quality, community-driven, affordable, non-credit classes and events throughout the District. Classes provide opportunities to stay current with job skills, engage in new interests, and explore a range of activities. Please visit the Community Education website or call 541-383-7270 for more information.
Personal Enrichment
Enrichment courses encourage students to explore personal interests and learn new skills. Students can take classes for fun, business, health, recreation, or personal growth. A complete up-to-date schedule and registration options are available on the Community Education website.
Professional Development
A variety of high-quality professional education options are available for those who want to stay competitive in their careers, study for industry certifications, meet continuing education requirements, or pursue entry-level career training. Professional development opportunities include accounting/bookkeeping, technology, construction, project management, health care and wellness, landscaping, leadership, and management. Community Education offers both individual courses as well as non-credit training certificates; more information on non-credit training certificates is located in the special curriculum section of the catalog.
The College can customize training so employees gain the specific knowledge they need to perform their job duties and contribute to a more productive and profitable business. Visit the Center for Business, Industry, and Professional Development website for more information.
Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Central Oregon Community College is focused on helping to build Oregon’s best businesses. The SBDC offers no-cost, one-to-one advising and business-related educational workshops. Experienced staff advisers are available to meet with businesses by appointment throughout the tri-county region. In addition, the SBDC offers:
- Practical workshops on business start-up, planning and growth
- The year-long Small Business Management program
- SCALE Oregon services for larger traded-sector companies
- Capital access assistance
- Strategic market research
The SBDC's goal is to positively impact the growth and sustainability of central Oregon businesses. Please visit the Small Business Development Center website or call 541-383-7290 for more information.
Youth Programs and YouthCamp@COCC
The College's Community Education department offers a number of classes and camps for youth under age 16. YouthCamp@COCC is the most recognized program offered with more than 30 camps per summer. Each of the four campuses hosts at least one camp for youth ages 10 to 14. Additionally, classes are offered throughout the year for youth or for youth and parents/guardians to enjoy together. With an eye toward the future, youth can explore potential career and college options by attending classes and camps on COCC campuses.
Adult Basic Skills
Adult Basic Skills Non-credit Classes
The Adult Basic Skills department is comprised of two programs: English Language Learning (ELL) and Adult Basic and Adult Secondary Education (ABE/ASE). The goal of these programs is that students will have academic achievements and basic skills necessary to participate effectively as engaged community, family members and employees, and to succeed in college.
The ELL program is designed for adults who need to learn English. Classes focus on speaking, understanding, reading, and writing skill development. ELL classes are offered in Bend, Redmond, and Madras. Remote classes may be offered, as well.
The ABE/ASE program provides instruction in basic communication, math, study skills, and computer skills to prepare students for a variety of purposes, including college and GED® test preparation and employment. Classes include Essentials of Communication and Essentials of Math. Communication and math classes are offered in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, and Warm Springs. Remote classes may be offered, as well.
Students may attend day or evening sessions, depending on the location. Required orientation sessions are held during the first week of each term. Please visit the Adult Basics Skills website or call 541-504-2950 for exact times and locations.
Partnerships
For mission achievement, the College routinely develops and supports partnerships with local, regional, statewide, and industry organizations. Examples are listed below.
Oregon State University - Cascades
Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University partner to offer students a degree partnership program. As part of the program, students are admitted to and can take courses at both institutions. Benefits include:
- Combined financial aid and scholarship benefits
- Additional course offerings and choice of times through COCC
- Guidance to stay on track toward an OSU degree while fulfilling lower-division courses at COCC
- A strong connection to COCC and OSU faculty
- Lower overall tuition
The program works well for students intending to earn a bachelor’s degree through OSU-Cascades, but it also applies to programs at any OSU campus, including eCampus programs. For general information about the partnership, visit OSU’s or OSU-Cascades' information pages.
Area High Schools
Dual Credit/College Now
This program offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credit for certain courses they complete in their schools. High school courses are aligned with collegiate career and technical education and transfer course curricula and are taught by qualified high school teachers. Courses offered vary by high school and by term; students must be enrolled in their high school, but do not have to be admitted to COCC. Students pay a $25 fee per credit.
Expanded Options
Expanded options is an Oregon program that allows, under specific circumstances, high school students to enroll in credit courses offered at a COCC campus at no charge to them for tuition, fees, supplies and books. Each high school determines eligibility and participation requirements. Students should consult their high school counselor or ASPIRE coordinator for more information.
Articulation Agreements
The College enters into articulation agreements about specific majors to assist students in transferring. A list of current articulation agreements is available on the Articulation and Partnership Agreements page.
St. Charles Health Systems
Central Oregon Community College partners with St. Charles Health Systems to train their employees as Nursing Assistants and Medical Assistants as part of an effort to address the nation-wide shortage in both professions. The non-credit Nursing Assistant partnership program trains up to 20 students each term while the 35-credit career pathways certificate of completion Medical Assistant partnership program trains up to 24 students annually.
