Whether you plan to transfer to a 4-year college or complete an occupational program designed to put you into the workplace quickly, you can achieve your goals right here at PVCC.

Paradise Valley Community College offers 5 main types of educational programs, detailed below.

It’s important that you understand your degree options (it’s your education after all!) and fortunately, PVCC’s Academic Advisors are available to assist you from day one!

Haven’t decided on a major? No worries! Your Academic Advisor will help you enroll in transferable, general education classes for your first semester. You’ll want to consider enrolling in a Career Exploration class too, and definitely make an appointment to visit with a PVCC Counselor to discuss career and major options. As you’re deciding, consider these programs:

2-year Degrees Designed To Transfer To 4-year Colleges

• Associate in Arts- AA
• Associate in Business- ABUS
• Associate in Science- AS
• Associate in Arts in Elementary Education- AAEE
• Associate in Arts/Fine Arts (Art, Dance, or Theater)- AAFA
• Associate in Transfer Partnership- ATP

These Associate degrees, with the exception of the ATP, satisfy the first two years of a 4-year Bachelor’s degree at all 3 Arizona public universities, AND guarantee admission to those colleges. The Associate in Transfer Partnership degree is designed to transfer to a specific university toward a specific Bachelor’s degree; see an Academic Advisor for details.

2-Year Occupational Degree Designed To Put You In The Workplace

• Associate in Applied Science- AAS

PVCC offers 18 Associate in Applied Science degrees designed to train students to enter the workforce quickly. The programs consist of career-related and general education courses, and take approximately two years to complete. Most AAS degrees are not designed to transfer to a 4-year university; for exceptions check with an Academic Advisor.

2-Year Degree For Students Who Wish To Explore a Variety of Topics

• Associate in General Studies- AGS

The Associate in General Studies degree includes general education courses and electives—courses of interest to the individual student. It takes about two years to complete an AGS degree; the degree is not designed to transfer to a 4-year university.

1-Year Program Designed For Transfer to ASU, NAU, and U of A

• Arizona General Education Curriculum- AGEC

The AGEC (pronounced A-Jeck) is a one-year program consisting of approximately 11 general education courses that guarantees you admission, as a sophomore, to all three Arizona public universities. PVCC offers three AGEC options: (1) AGEC-A for most liberal arts majors or undecided students, (2) AGEC-B for Business majors, and (3) AGEC-S for Science-based majors.

Occupational Programs

• Certificate of Completion- CCL

Paradise Valley offers 38 career-related programs that lead to a Certificate of Completion. CCL programs are designed for students seeking primarily occupation-specific courses and wishing to graduate in as little as one semester, or up to six semesters for more involved certificates. CCLs are not designed to transfer.