Degrees and Certificates
Victor Valley College awards Associate Degrees, Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT’s), and Certificates. Associate degrees typically require two years of full-time study (15 credit hours per semester in the fall and spring terms) for college ready students who require no remediation. If a student requires additional preparatory courses in English or Mathematics, this will likely extend the time necessary to complete the degree. The length of time necessary to complete a certificate depends on the certificate as they range from 3 credit hours to more than 18 credit hours. For a complete listing of the degree and certificates just click on "Programs of Study" on the top, right of the screen.
Degrees and Certificates include:
- Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees in the areas of Math, Science, and Career/Technical.
- Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees in the areas of Liberal Arts and Fine Arts.
- Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T, AS-T) in various academic and technical areas.
- Certificates of Achievement, Completion, Competency, and Career Preparation in various academic and technical areas.
Career Technical Education
Career Technical Education (CTE) is a driver for workforce development and economic prosperity in the Victor Valley. Victor Valley College offers over 100 career education and workforce training programs preparing individuals for skilled jobs in an ever-changing labor market.
CTE courses offer students the ability to learn skills needed to land opportunities in a high-wage, high-demand field of their choosing. Career Technical Education courses deliver a technical and core academic education with the employable knowledge individuals need for prolonged career success. Career Education students can develop problem-solving capabilities, project-completion skills, research competence, communication tools, time management proficiency, and critical thinking skills through their college coursework. Coursework is comprehensive and rigorous, allowing for career exploration and skill development inside and outside the classroom. Career Education certificate and degree pathways provide individuals with options for whatever their future endeavors entail.
Career pathways prepare students to:
- Enter directly into the workforce;
- Continue education focused on the associate degree; or
- Pursue baccalaureate degrees and beyond.
Information for ESL (English as a Second Language) Students
The ESL Department is designed specifically for English Language Learners whose first language is not English. The program offers noncredit and credit classes at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes are offered morning, afternoon, evenings and Saturdays. The focus of the program is to help improve English language skills for those seeking to improve their English for academic degree programs, vocational skills and certificates, job success and citizenship. ESL courses use second language acquisition strategies in listening and speaking, reading and vocabulary, pronunciation, basic computer literacy, and job preparedness. Students have access to a Language Lab to enhance language learning and ESL tutors who can help with English learning.
Students can receive information regarding the ESL program and the registration process by attending an ESL Orientation, which is the first step to the matriculation process. ESL students also have the opportunity to meet with an ESL Bilingual Counselor to develop a (mandatory) educational plan. Counselors will discuss academic and career goals and are available to answer any other questions or concerns.
Información Para Estudiantes de Inglés Como Segundo Idioma (ESL)
El departamento de ESL está diseñado para estudiantes que desean aprender Inglés y que su primer idioma no es el Inglés. El programa ofrece clases de crédito y sin crédito en el nivel básico, intermedio y avanzado. Clases se ofrecen en la mañana, la tarde y los sábados. El enfoque del programa es para ayudar a las personas a mejorar su inglés en programas académicos, carreras y certificados técnicos, preparárse para la ciudadanía, además de éxito en el trabajo. Las estrategias de adquisición de segunda lengua usadas para los cursos de ESL son las siguientes: escuchar y hablar, lectura y vocabulario, pronunciación, conocimientos básicos de computación, y para preparárse para el trabajo. Estudiantes tienen acceso a el Laboratorio de Idiomas (Language Lab) para mejorar el aprendizaje del inglés así como tutores de ESL que les ayudan aprender el idioma.
Durante una junta de orientación de ESL y como parte del proceso de matrícula, los estudiantes pueden recibir información sobre el programa de ESL y el proceso para poder inscribírse en sus clases. Estudiantes de ESL también tienen la oportunidad de hablar con un consejero bilingüe encargado de ESL para preparar un plan educativo, y para hablar acerca de las metas académicas y de una carrera futura que sea importante para el estudiante además de responder a cualquier pregunta.
Noncredit Coursework and Certificates
Noncredit Instruction is one of several educational options offered at Victor Valley College. Noncredit programs offer students access to a variety of low and no-cost courses that can assist them with preparation opportunities in reaching their academic, personal, and professional goals. Noncredit courses can be found listed within each respective department in this catalog. They can also be found on the Noncredit Program page of the VVC website.
Distance Education
Victor Valley College recognizes the unique contribution that educational technology can make for expanding and enhancing educational opportunities and experiences to a growing and diverse student population. It is acknowledged that quality Distance Education (DE) makes special demands on students, faculty, staff, and administrators and that all involved share responsibility for maintaining its effectiveness.
DE courses are not designed to be easier than traditional face-to-face courses. They are designed with the same objectives and academic rigor as traditional courses. Students should expect to spend the same amount of time on a DE course as they would in a traditional face-to-face class. The most successful DE students are those who are self-directed with moderate to strong technical skills and excellent time management abilities. Students are required to participate every week (sometimes multiple times each week) by completing assignments, reading, writing. studying, communicating with the instructor, and communicating with classmates.
Regular and effective contact between instructor and students is required; discussions, e-mail (both student and faculty initiated), timely feedback on student work, electronic announcements and e-lectures are required as part of regular and effective contact. Students must actively participate in the lecture-designated activities in DE courses to remain enrolled, just as active participation is required in a face-to-face course. Victor Valley College regards DE as integral to the district vision, mission, and goals and endorses and encourages the development, expansion, and improvement of DE methodologies throughout the district’s instructional, student, and campus support services and programs.
At Victor Valley College, DE includes courses that are offered fully online and partially online (hybrid). All four of VVC’s academic schools offer DE courses in certain disciplines that are conducive to online learning. There is ongoing and systematic creation, updating and sustainable DE curriculum to serve VVC students and community members. Most DE courses are transferable and/or contribute to AA/AS Degrees; AD-T degrees; and Basic Skills courses. Online and hybrid course offerings for each semester can be found in the Schedule of Classes.
Dual Enrollment: Non-College & Career Access Pathways (Non-CCAP)
(Formerly known as Concurrent Enrollment)
Dual Enrollment Non-CCAP is where a student is enrolled as a high school student but has also been deemed qualified to take college courses. A high school student who is concurrently enrolled will take VVC courses at the main VVC campus, at one of the off-site campuses, or online. VVC implemented Dual Enrollment beginning with the 2017-18 academic year, so please see the section below, entitled ‘Dual Enrollment’ for a clearer understanding. For Dual Enrollment Non-CCAP, the student ls often responsible for any tuition, fees, textbooks and other learning materials required for the course. In addition, successful completion of a concurrent enrollment course may not count toward one’s high school credit.
Dual Enrollment: College & Career Access Pathways (CCAP)
Victor Valley College Is proud to partner with numerous local high schools in the implementation of dual enrollment as per California Assembly Bill 288. Dual Enrollment allows the opportunity for qualified high school students to take college courses for credit during the regular high school day. Instructors of dual enrollment courses meet qualifications and adhere to the same guidelines as other community college faculty, and there is no cost including books to the student to take these courses. Upon successful completion of the course, the student earns both high school and college credit-hence, the term ‘dual enrollment’. Interested high school students should contact their school in order to obtain information on the specific courses available at their high school. It is very important for students to understand that these courses are taught at a college level. In addition, the grade earned becomes part of the student’s permanent college record which will follow them for life.
Adult/Community Education
These college programs are designed to fulfill the unique educational needs of the Victor Valley’s business and general community members. Because many residents of our local area require skills-based certification training or upgrade courses; is responsive to the needs of business and the general community.
Community Education:
Traditionally thought of as “hobby classes,” Community Education has evolved into a sophisticated platform to develop, administer, and deliver market-driven skills based certification training programs in areas such as Renewable Energy, Health Care, and Public Safety. These programs are specifically designed with input from local subject matter experts and provide a clearly defined career path for students of all backgrounds.
Contract Education:
Concentrates on workforce training programs customized for business, industry, and other educational agencies. Working closely with faculty and staff, the Department of Contract Education can leverage all of the talent here at VVC and help local business succeed with customized training both on and off-site.
Correspondence Education
Victor Valley College provides ACCJC-approved correspondence courses to individuals in the High Desert who are enrolled in our Justice-Involved Education (JIE) program. These correspondence courses and the academic pathway are intentional and can result in the completion of the Business Administration, AS and the Sociology, AA-T. VVC's chosen degree coursework will also allow students to complete the CSU General Education Breadth and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certificates of Achievement which open the door for transfer to other incarcerated programs so justice-involved students can complete their Bachelor's degree. Correspondence coursework is only offered to those students who are currently detained or incarcerated. Additional coursework and degrees are being explored for the expansion of our JIE correspondence program in the future.