“Get Workforce READY”
The possibilities are endless! Explore our career education programs available at College of the Desert. Many programs offer industry-recognized certificates that allow you to enter the workforce in your field of study in as little as two semesters! These certificates allow you to start working sooner and can be applied towards achieving an Associate Degree.
The programs in Agriculture at College of the Desert are designed to serve both occupational and transfer students. Many courses primarily serve students who wish to enter an occupation after graduation. Courses are designed to provide practical experience, as well as academic background.
Agriculture Business Associate Degree AS
Agriculture Food Safety Certificate
Agriculture Irrigation Technician Certificate
Agriculture Office Assistant Certificate
Agriculture Office Professional Certificate
Agriculture Pest Management Certificate
Agriculture Plant Science Associate Degree AS
Ariculture Plant Science AS-T
Agriculture Technician Certificate
Agriculture, General Associate Degree AS
Arborist Technician Certificate
Environmental Horticulture Associate Degree AS
Environmental Horticulture Certificate
Field Ranger, Natural Resources Certificate
Landscape & Irrigation Technician Certificate
Pest Management Technician Certificate
Turfgrass Management Associate Degree AS
Turfgrass Management Certificate
Turfgrass Management Technician Certificate
The Natural Resources (NR) program at College of the Desert is a gateway to many different environmentally focused careers in such fields as: wildlife management, ecosystem management, wildlife ecology, landscape ecology, parks and recreation planning, environmental consulting, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), natural resources law enforcement, forensic entomology, urban planning, alternative energy, and many more.
Desert Ecologist Certificate
Natural Resources Associate Degree AS
The Architecture and Environmental Design program offers various curricula with emphasis in transfer and employment preparation in Architecture, Building Inspection Technology, Construction Management and Drafting/CAD.
Architectural Technology Certificate and Associate Degree AS
The Building & Energy Systems Professional program offers students various coursework that gives a broad overview of the energy conservation industry and maintains a strong emphasis in employment preparation.
Building Commissioning Technician Certificate
Building Inspection Technology Certificate
The Architecture and Environmental Design program offers various curricula with emphasis in transfer and employment preparation in Architecture, Building Inspection Technology, Construction Management and Drafting/CAD.
Construction Management Certificate
Construction Management Associate Degree AS
Drafting, General Certificate
Drafting, General Associate Degree AS
Real Estate Development Certificate
The Digital Design & Production (DDP) courses and program lay the foundation for student-success into the field of digital media. It involves bringing ideas to the printed page or screens using industry standard software.
Digital Design & Production Certificate
Digital Design & Production Associate Degree AS
Graphic Design & Marketing Associate Degree AA
Photography, Applied Certificate
The Media, Film and Journalism program prepares students for careers in mass media including: radio; television; film and video production; sound, video and effects editing; screen, radio and television writing; print, broadcast, and video journalism; and public relations.
Film Production Associate Degree AS
Film Production, Advanced Certificate
Film Production, Basic Certificate
Film, Television, and Electronic Media Associate Degree for Transfer AS-T
Radio Production, Basic Certificate
Performing Arts programs offer a wide range of courses in music, theater and dance, including fundamentals, appreciation, theory, history, technique and performance practice.
Music, Commercial – Advanced Certificate
Music, Commercial – Basic Certificate
Musical Theatre Certificate
The Advanced Transportation Technologies program offers students the opportunity to learn the academic and occupational skills needed by future entry-level technicians in the transportation industry.
Advanced Transportation Technologies Associate Degree AS
Automotive Alternative Fuels Certificate
Automotive Technology is the study of automotive systems as they relate to the current generation of computer controlled vehicles. Career paths in this discipline include automotive service technician, automotive service consultants, various supervisor and management positions, automotive parts sales people, and vehicle modifiers in the alternate fuels and fuel cells.
Automotive Air Conditioning Certificate
Automotive Braking System Certificate
Automotive Electrical Certificate
Automotive Emissions Certificate
Automotive Engine Management Certificate
Automotive Quick Service NC
Automotive Hybrid, Fuel Cell, & Electric Vehicle Certificate
Automotive Light and Medium Duty Diesel Certificate
Automotive Steering, Suspension, & Alignment Certificate
Automotive Technology Associate Degree AS
Automotive Terminology NC
Automotive Transmission & Axle Certificate
Automotive, General Service Certificate
Accounting is the study of analyzing, recording, summarizing, and reporting financial information to managers, owners, customers, investors, and other decision-makers inside and outside a business organization.
Programs and courses in the Business Discipline have been developed for general business-oriented skills.
Business Administration 2.0 Associate Degree for Transfer AS-T
Business Information Worker – Real Est Certoificate
Business, General Associate Degree AS
Business, General Certificate
Business, Small Certificate
Economics Associate Degree for Transfer AA-T
Human Resource Generalist Certificate
Retail Management Certificate
Social Media Marketing Certificate
Programs and courses perpar you a career in hotels, restaurants, tourism, events, entrepreneurial endeavors in hospitality, and other hospitality organizations.
Hospitality Management Certificate
Hospitality Management Associate Degree AS
Golf Management encompasses the comprehensive study of overseeing and executing various tasks within public, private, or resort golf facilities.
Golf Management Certificate
Golf Management Associate Degree AA
The development of this program is the result of the need for active professionals with the skills set used in multiple office environments.
The goal of the Computer Information Systems (CIS) program is to you for employment or transfer within the ever-expanding field of computer technology. This expansion is driven by widespread technology use across all sectors and continual industry evolution.
Our Elementary Teacher Education transfer degree will prepare students to transfer to CSU to work towards that goal. We also offer two certificates that prepare students to work as Teacher Assistants/Paraeducators. Students completing these certificates will be prepared to work in an elementary school setting as a special education assistant and may choose to continue on towards an AA degree and/or transfer to a four year college.
Elementary Teacher Assistant Special Education Certificate
Elementary Teacher Assistant Special Education, Bilingual Certificate
Elementary Teacher Education Associate Degree for Transfer AA-T
Social and Behavioral Sciences heighten your awareness of social, political, and economic institutions and human behaviors in contemporary, historical, and geographical contexts.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) is the study of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for young children. Career paths commonly include infant/toddler or preschool teachers and administrators.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Associate Degree AS
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Associate Degree AS-T
Early Childhood Education – Associate Teacher Certificate
Early Childhood Education – Master Teacher Certificate
Early Childhood Education – Site Supervisor Certificate
Early Childhood Education – Teacher Certificate
Family Child Care Certificate
The program offers a Certificate and Associate of Science degree for employment preparation that is designed to provide a wide range of courses in order to best serve your needs.
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration AS Associate Degree AS
Air Properties & Economizer Performance NC
Proper HVAC System Preparation & System Charging NC
Refrigerant Management & EPA-608 Preparation NC
The Building & Energy Systems Professional program offers you various coursework that gives a broad overview of the energy conservation industry and maintains a strong emphasis in employment preparation. A variety of cross-disciplinary courses are available in Energy Systems, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Architecture, Computer Information Systems, and Building Inspection Technology.
Building & Energy Systems Professionals Associate Degree AS
Building Automation Control Certificate
Building Energy Consultant Certificate
Commercial Gas Heating Certificate
Facilities Operations Technician Certificate
Green HVAC Commercial Certificate
Green HVAC Residential Certificate
Heat Pumps
Power Generation and Distribution Certificate
Residential Gas Heating Certificate
Residential Solar Certificate
Residential Solar Installation NC
Residential Solar Surveying and Planning NC
Solar Battery Storage Installation and Maintenance NC
Solar Site Planning Project NC
Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Certificate
If you are desiring a career in Criminal Justice you may elect a program of study for upper division transfer, or one which is oriented towards job entry either as sworn or non-sworn employees at a Local, State, or Federal Agency within the Criminal Justice System. The Criminal Justice System includes three components: Law Enforcement, Courts, and Corrections.
Administration of Justice Certificate of Achievement
Administration of Justice Associate Degree for Transfer AS-T
Criminal Justice Associate Degree AS
The College of the Desert Basic Fire Fighter Academy program provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to safely perform, under minimal supervision, essential and advanced fire ground tasks.
Fire Fighter, Basic Certificate
Fire Technology Certificate
Fire Technology Associate Degree AS
This program prepares current and future law enforcement students and professionals for the dynamic challenges of succeeding in the field of law enforcement and the Criminal Justice System. Helps you develop a sense of the basic requirements for successful careers in Criminal Justice and allows you to complete the Degree program while working part or full-time, with courses offered during evenings and on weekend days.
Police Officer, Reserve Certificate
Police Science Associate Degree AS
The Emergency Medical Services Program prepares you to recognize illnesses and injury symptoms and to provide legally permissible emergency treatment set forth by the standards of the Riverside County EMS Agency.
Emergency Medical Care Certificate
Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
The Kinesiology program is dedicated to the study of anatomy, physiology of movement, biomechanics and motor control, fitness and health, psychology of movement, injury and prevention, and career opportunities in Kinesiology.
Fitness Specialist Certificate
Personal Trainer Certificate
Sports Medicine Associate Degree AS
Yoga Teacher Training Certificate
Nursing is an exciting and challenging profession of responsibility, integrity, and personal growth. Nursing provides an essential service to others, involving the care of people, sick and well. As career professionals, nurses are dedicated individuals who have committed themselves to improving the quality of health care for others.
Home Health Aide Certificate
Nurse Assistant (CNA) Certificate
Nursing, Registered (RN/ADN) Associate Degree AS
Nursing, Vocational (VN/LVN) Certificate
Nursing, Vocational (VN/LVN) Associate Degree AS
The Alcohol and Drug Studies program is the study of chemical addiction and treatment. Career paths in alcohol and drug studies commonly include supervised alcohol and drug counseling.
Alcohol and Drug Studies Certificate
Alcohol and Drug Studies Associate Degree AS
The Culinary Arts program at College of the Desert provides training for careers in the food service and lodging industries, one of the fastest growing sectors in today’s job market. The program includes training at three levels: entry, intermediate, and advanced.
Baker NC
Bread Baker NC
Culinary Arts, Basic Certificate
Culinary Arts, Intermediate Certificate
Culinary Management Associate Degree AS
Culinary Management Certificate
Prep Cook NC
Step by Step Guide
Join the Roadrunner Family! Visit collegeofthedesert.edu and start your Application for Admission.
Before applying to college, you must first have an OpenCCC account.
*OpenCCC is a service of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
This account allows you to access the online services of the California Community Colleges.
All information in your account is private and secure.
Receive your College of the Desert ID Number
After your application has been processed, you will receive an email containing your unique College of the Desert student ID number and student portal login credentials.
You are admitted to College of the Desert after your admissions application has been submitted.
All students should apply for Financial Aid
Please review our Apply to Aid > webpage for more information on which application to submit based on your eligibility and which term you plan on attending
Complete the Online Orientation
Your online orientation is available through the MyCOD Student Portal, consisting of info modules about campus locations, academic programs, support services, and more. Your registration priority will be activated 1 business day after completing your online orientation.
Self-Placement and My First Schedule Workshop
Work through the guided Placement > for transfer-level English and Math courses. Then, complete the My First Schedule Workshop >. Both are available online. We also recommend that students to speak with a counselor before registration.
Register for Courses
Once you are done with all the above, you may log into your MyCOD student portal to search and register for desired courses. See important dates here >.
CALL | (760) 773-2516
EMAIL| Enrolls@collegeofthedesert.edu
VISIT | Schedule Appointment ➔
College of the Desert
43-500 Monterey Ave
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 346-8041
About College of the Desert
Vision
To be a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, while continually improving community access to high-quality education.
Mission
College of the Desert is an inclusive, student-centered community college providing high-quality degree, certificate, and transfer programs that are accessible, affordable, and responsive to the diverse needs of students and our community. By preparing workforce professionals and leaders, the College enhances the local economy, closes persistent equity gaps, and improves the quality of life in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.
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This regional project is funded by the IEDRC Strong Workforce Program.