WCC provides a wide selection of academic programs, and each of these programs is designed to meet the general criteria established by the State Board of Community Colleges. At the same time, WCC strives to design each program with emphasis on the needs and opportunities within the college’s service region.
The State Board for Community Colleges sets minimum standards for conferring appropriate associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas to individuals who satisfactorily complete course and program requirements. The following programs are offered by WCC. The descriptions reflect the philosophies of both the state governing agencies and the college.
General Education
The programs in general education at WCC emphasize broad learning that goes beyond job training and skill development. Each degree and certificate program of the college contains prescribed general education courses, including academic courses in the humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, wellness, and communication skills. General education is that portion of the collegiate experience that addresses the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values characteristic of educated persons. It is unbounded by disciplines and honors the connections among bodies of knowledge.
WCC is committed to offering its students programs that encompass the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by each individual to be more effective as a person, a worker, a consumer, and a citizen. Through a combination of general education courses, specialized courses in the major field, and student development courses, graduates are provided with a collegiate experience that supports the development of the following general education goals.
- Student Learning Outcomes for Each of the General Education Goal Areas
- Minimum Requirements for Associate Degrees
College Transfer Programs
The college transfer programs include first- and second-year courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional courses that transfer to four-year colleges and universities. A number of four-year degree programs are available at WCC, including Old Dominion University and Lindsey Wilson College.
Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree Programs are designed with two primary goals in mind: (1) to offer the student a widely accepted program of general preparation for upper-division work in her or her chosen professional field, stressing a balance of required courses common to most baccalaureate degree programs; and (2) to offer maximum flexibility so that the student may select specific courses that may be required at the college or university to which transfer is contemplated.
Associate of Arts & Sciences (AA&S)
Program, by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP Code)
- Business Administration (24.0101)
- Education (24.0101)
- General Studies (24.0101)
- Specialization in Communication/Media Studies (24.0101)
- Specialization in Community & Provider Services (24.0101)
- Specialization in Computer Information Systems (24.0101)
- Specialization in Developmental Disabilities (24.0101)
- Specialization in Health Sciences (24.0101)
- Specialization in Human Services (24.0101)
- Specialization in Substance Abuse (24.0101)
- Science (24.0101)
- Specialization in Computer Science (24.0101)
- Specialization in Engineering (24.0101)
- Specialization in Food Animal Production (24.0101)
- Specialization in Mathematics (24.0101)
- Specialization in Veterinary Preparation (24.0101)
Certificate (C)
- Uniform Certficate of General Studies (24.0199)
Career & Technical Education Programs
The career and technical education programs are designed to meet the increasing demands for technicians, para- professional workers, and skilled craftsmen for employment in industry, business, the professions, and government. These programs serve as initial training for students preparing to enter the job market for the first time, as a supplement to work experience for persons who are preparing for advancement in their present lines of work, or as retraining for persons who must develop new skills for the present job market.
To meet these goals, Citizens Advisory Committees provide, in partnership with industry and the community, information and advice to enable continuous updating of curricula, course content, technology, and faculty knowledge of current industry practices. Preparation for successful employment may encompass many aspects of education that extend beyond the classroom, such as cooperative education and internships that are conducive to success in the workplace.
Associate of Applied Science Degree programs are designed primarily to prepare the student for employment immediately upon graduation from the community college. Thus, these programs contain a large number of specialized courses.
WCC offers both two-year diploma and one-year certificate programs for those students interested in immediate employment in selected occupational fields. The program is designed to facilitate transition into an appropriate AAS degree program at a later date. Students interested in such options should plan their programs carefully with their advisors and counselors at WCC.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Program, by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP Code)
- Administrative Support Technology (52.0499)
- Specialization in Health Information Management (52.0499)
- Specialization in Legal Assistant (52.0499)
- Business Management & Leadership (52.0299)
- Corrections Science (43.0102)
- Criminal Justice (43.0103)
- Dental Hygiene (51.0602)
- EMS Emergency Medical Services Technology (offered in partnership with Southwest Virginia Community College) (51.0904)
- Information Systems Technology (11.0101)
- Machine Technology (48.0599)
- Medical Laboratory Technology (51.1004)
- Nursing (51.3801)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (51.0806)
- Technical Studies
Diploma (D) - Construction Technology
Program, by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP Code)
- Alternative Energy (46.0000)
- Carpentry (46.0000)
- Electrical (46.0000)
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (46.0000)
- Plumbing (46.0000)
Certificate (C)
Program, by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP Code)
- Clerical Studies (52.0499)
- Machine Tool Operations (48.0599)
- Medical Office Clerk (51.0799)
- Practical Nursing (51.3901)
Career Studies Certificate (CSC)
A significant portion of the student population served by WCC is comprised of part-time evening or online students. Many of these individuals need and desire post-secondary continuing education programs of study that are of less than conventional one- or two-year duration. Such students have specific occupational, industrial, and/or professional goals that can best be realized through short-term programs. The options included within the Career Studies program represent a variety of career and academic pursuits. Each may be viewed as a mini-curriculum which is part of a broader range of educational possibilities within a given career field. The length of these programs varies from approximately one to two semesters of full-time academic work. Admissions to the Career Studies Certificate program is based upon the general requirements for admission to the college, although some specialized areas may have additional admission requirements (see full program description).
Program Options (click for required courses):
Program, by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP Code)
- Carpentry I (46.0000)
- Carpentry II (46.0000)
- Clerical Assistant (52.0408)
- Corrections Science I
- Corrections Science II
- Criminal Justice I
- Criminal Justice II
- Cybersecurity and Networking Foundations (15.0303)
- Dental Assisting (51.0601)
- Electrical I (46.0000)
- Electrical II (46.0000)
- Electronic Medical Records Specialist (51.0707)
- File Clerk (52.0408)
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) I (46.0000)
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) II (46.0000)
- Human Services - Developmental Disabilities (51.1508)
- Human Services - Integrated Discipline (51.1504)
- Human Services - Mental Health (51.1504)
- Human Services - Substance Abuse (51.1501)
- Legal Assisting (51.1599)
- Machine Technology I (48.0599)
- Machine Technology II (48.0599)
- Medical Coding (52.0499)
- Medical Records Clerk (51.0707)
- Medical Transcriptionist (51.0708)
- Pharmacy Technician (51.0805)
- Phlebotomy (51.1004)
- Plumbing I (46.0000)
- Plumbing II (46.0000)
- Public Health (51.1599)
- Solar Installer (46.0000)
- Web Design and Office Applications (11.0101)
- Welding I
- Welding II
Workforce Development - Continuing Education and Community Services
FastForward Credential Programs:
- Automotive Systems Technology
- Industrial Maintenance
- Powerline Worker
- Truck Driving
- Welding
- Underground Power
Workforce Development
- Employer Training Services
- Manufacturing Technology Center
- Continuing Education
Continuing Education
WCC realizes that education is a continuing lifelong process. All individuals in the college’s service region need the opportunity to develop and increase their knowledge in their personal, community, and work environments. Continuing Education is the outreach arm of the college dedicated to meeting the ongoing educational needs of the community.
Community Services
- College Facilities and Services
- Regional Programming
Developmental Courses
Developmental courses do not fulfill degree requirements. They are designed to help students overcome academic deficiencies and build the foundation needed to succeed in college-level courses.
Cooperative Education/Internships
Co-op/internship students are employed part-time at work experience sites in positions related to their future career goals. The typical work week is 10-25 hours, depending upon the number of credits to be earned. It is preferred that students take advantage of the Internship Program (without pay) while working at non-profit entities. Experiential learning, combined with classroom theory, enhances the development and professional preparation of the co-op/internship student.
As community needs are identified, the college will develop and implement additional options to the extent that institutional resources permit.