School Details
Central Piedmont Community College, a two-year public institution, seeks to conquer the possibilities, making room for the most innovative, imaginative future a college experience has to offer. This college is centered on student success, providing the confidence, knowledge and skills to propel students into today’s fast-paced workforce.
CPCC offers online degree and certificate programs to non-traditional students in need of schedule flexibility. Associate in art or science degrees are available in this flexible online format, or certificate in business, technology, healthcare and more.
CPCC online student and faculty resources:
- Trained online representative
- Information and support
- Academic advisement
Accreditation & Licensing
Central Piedmont Community College is accredited by:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Central Piedmont Community College offers the online Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree, designed for those interested in transfering to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree.
- The Associate in Arts degree is appropriate for students interested in the humanities, social sciences, or business. Graduates of this program will possess a strong liberal arts background.
- The Associate in Science degree is for those who want to pursue a higher degree in biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, or engineering, or receive training in a professional program that requires strong mathematics and science knowledge.
Business
The online Certificate in Business Administration program from Central Piedmont Community College is designed to introduce students to the various aspects of the free enterprise system. Students are provided with a fundamental knowledge of business functions and processes, and an understanding of business organizations in today's global economy. Students may choose a specialization offered online to suit their personal interests and professional goals, some of which include:
- Operations
- Human resources
- Logistics
The online Certificate in Construction Management Technology / Entry Level Project Supervision program from Central Piedmont Community College is designed to prepare individuals for careers in the construction management field. The Entry Level Project Supervision specialization covers topics such as:
- Print reading in construction
- Management fundamentals
- Planning and estimating
Completion of coursework in this online construction management certificate are for college credits and may be transferred into a degree program.
The online Certificate in Office Administration / Office Administration Specialist program from Central Piedmont Community College prepares students for a variety of positions in today's administrative support field. Courses cover the areas including, but not limited to:
- Keyboarding
- Word processing
- Text entry and formatting
Completion of these for-credit classes will also allow you to apply them to an associate's degree, should you choose to further your education.
Computer Science & IT
The Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Cloud & Virtualization Technologies from Central Piedmont Community College is an online network administration degree program. This program is designed for students who intend to enter the career field after completion, preparing them for entry-level careers in businesses, educational systems, and government agencies. You will benefit from a curriculum that evolves with the industry, so you will be ready to work with the latest technologies. Using real-world, work-based projects, the courses develop your ability to create, store, communicate, exchange, and use information to solve technical issues related to network systems, information support and services, information security, and more.
This concentration will still introduce you to the information technology field but then focuses on Cloud and Virtualization Technologies with a curriculum that includes:
- Introduction to Networks
- Routing Basics
- Virtualization Concepts
- Cloud and Storage Concepts
- Virtualization Administration I
The Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Networking Technologies from Central Piedmont Community College is an online network administration degree program. Designed for students who intend to enter the career field immediately after completion, this program prepares them for entry-level careers in businesses, educational systems, and government agencies. You will benefit from a curriculum that evolves with the industry, so you will be ready to work with the latest technologies when you enter the workforce. Using real-world, work-based projects, courses develop your ability to create, store, communicate, exchange, and use information to solve technical issues related to network systems, information support and services, information security, and more.
This concentration will still introduce you to the information technology field but then focuses on networking technologies through such courses as:
- Security Concepts
- Windows Administration I
- Introduction to Networks
- Routing Basics
- Routing & Switching I
Central Piedmont Community College offers the AAS in Simulation & Game Development degree program, an online game design degree. This program is designed for visually-minded, analytical, and creative students who are excited by growing technology trends such as augmented and virtual reality. While learning to debug, develop, and test programs, you will develop enough programming language proficiency to write scripts and examine software engineering. Students will work with such software and tools as:
- Adobe products
- Java
- Python
- MS Visual Studio
- Game Maker Studio
- Xsens
Courses cover the visual arts, audio and visual technology, conceptual planning, creative writing, 3D modeling, artificial intelligence, and database administration. In addition, as a well-rounded student, you will be familiar with licenses, psychological profiling, customer relations, and contract negotiations.
The Certificate in Information Technology with a specialization in Information Technology Fundamentals is an online information technology degree program from Central Piedmont Community College. With this certificate you will gain basic knowledge and skills in the information technology field, preparing you to enter or advance in the field. Plus, with Central Piedmont’s commitment to staying current with changing technologies, you will be prepared to use the latest technology when you enter the workforce.
This certificate helps students create, store, communicate, exchange, and use information when solving technical issues related to information support and services, network systems, and more. You will also improve your skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and information processing. Courses in this online information technology degree are:
- Web, Programming, and Database Foundation
- Network and Security Foundation
- Operating Systems and Device Foundation
- Information Systems Business Concepts
- Introduction to Computers
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development with a specialization in Game Design Level 1 is an online game design degree from Central Piedmont Community College. This is the introductory program for those interested in designing games. You will be introduced to the field and gain a foundation in simulation and game development. With this certificate, students look at game design, development, and production. Courses in this certification are:
- Introduction to Simulation and Game Development
- Simulation and Game Development Design
- SGD Production Management
- Simulation and Game Character Development
- Simulation and Game Level Design
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development with a specialization in Game Design Level 2 is an online game design degree from Central Piedmont Community College. While still an introductory program, this builds on the coursework covered in the Game Design Level 1 certification. Several courses are the second part of those taken during the Level 1 program. Others feature new areas of design, such as virtual simulation and multiplayer online games. Courses in this certification are:
- Massive Multiplayer Online Programming
- Serious Games
- Virtual Simulation and Game Environments
- Simulation and Game Development Design II
- Simulation and Game Level Design II
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development with a specialization in Mobile Game Development from Central Piedmont Community College is an online game design degree program. This program is designed for visually-minded, analytical, and creative students interested in growing technology trends. The focus is on 3D and simulation game development. You will receive hands-on training as you learn to use industry-standard tools and technologies. Courses in this certificate are:
- Mobile Simulation and Game Programming I
- Virtual Simulation and Game Environments
- Simulation and Game 3-D Animation
- Simulation and Game Development Project
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development with a specialization in Modeling & Animation Level 1 is an online game design degree from Central Piedmont Community College. This is an introductory certification in the field and provides a foundation in modeling and animation. Students can complete the Level 2 specialization for further coursework. With the Level 1 program, you will learn about the visual arts, modeling, and design. This includes 3D modeling and animation techniques. Courses in this certification are:
- 3D Modeling
- Art for Games
- SGD Production Management
- Simulation and Game Animation
- Lighting and Shading Algorithms
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development with a specialization in Modeling & Animation Level 2 is an online game design degree from Central Piedmont Community College. This certificate builds on the knowledge learned in the Modeling & Animation Level 1 certificate. You will get into more detail and gain further knowledge and skills in 3D modeling. In addition, students will further develop their knowledge of audio and video technology. Courses in this certification are:
- Simulation and Game 3-D Animation
- Simulation and Game Audio and Video
- 3D Modeling II
- Rigging 3D Models
- 3D Modeling III
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development with a specialization in Programming Level 1 is available from Central Piedmont Community College as an online game design degree. This certificate is designed for those seeking foundational knowledge in programming for games. You will receive hands-on training in programming as you gain an introduction to the field of simulation and game development. Students can further their knowledge in the field with a Programming Level 2 certification that is also available from Central Piedmont. Courses in Programming Level 1 certification are:
- Introduction to Simulation and Game Development
- Simulation and Game Development Programming
- Mobile Simulation and Game Programming I
- Virtual Simulation and Game Environments
- Simulation Game Development Programming II
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development with a specialization in Programming Level 2 is an online game design degree from Central Piedmont Community College. This certificate builds on knowledge gained in the Programming Level 1 specialization. With this certificate you will get more in-depth instruction in such areas as engine design and software engineering. Courses follow the growing technology trends, allowing students to stay current in the evolving field. Courses in this certification are:
- Simulation and Game Database Programming
- Simulation and Game Artificial Intelligence
- Simulation and Game Engine Design
- Mobile Simulation and Game Programming II
- Simulation and Game Software Engineering
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development Level 1 is an online game design degree program from Central Piedmont Community College. This certificate is designed for students who are visually-minded, analytical, and creative and is also available to high school students enrolled in Career & College Promise. Courses in this program cover the fundamentals of simulation and game design. You will learn the basics in the field while gaining an introduction to the field in a program that you can then grow from. Students study the creative arts, visual arts, audio and video technology, modeling, design, programming, and more. The courses in this certificate are:
- Introduction to Simulation and Game Development
- Simulation and Game Development Design
- Simulation and Game Development Programming
- 3D Modeling
The Certificate in Simulation & Game Development Level 2 is an online game design degree program from Central Piedmont Community College. This certificate is designed for students who are visually-minded, analytical, and creative. Courses in this program go beyond the fundamentals of simulation and game design. This program takes what courses covered in the Level 1 Certificate and builds upon the skills and knowledge gained, taking you to the next level of learning. Students study the creative arts, visual arts, audio and video technology, modeling, design, programming, and more. This certificate, unlike the lower level certificate, introduces character development. The courses in this certificate are:
- Simulation and Game Character Development
- Simulation and Game Development Design II
- Simulation Game Development Programming II
- 3D Modeling II
The Diploma in 3D Modeling & Animation is an online game design degree program from Central Piedmont Community College. This program provides a broad background in simulation and game design but focuses on 3D Modeling and Animation. Designed for visually-minded, analytical, and creative students, this online diploma covers growing technology trends including augmented and virtual reality. You will receive hands-on training in 3D modeling as you learn to create simulations and games. Courses for this diploma option include:
- Graphic Design Tools
- Survey of Game Engines
- Simulation and Game 3-D Animation
- 3D Data Capture
- Rigging 3D Models
The Diploma in Game Design from Central Piedmont Community College is an online game design degree program. This diploma offers a broad background in simulation and game development with a focus on game design. You will receive hands-on training in design and programming as you learn to create simulations and games. Courses also offer practical applications in creative writing, audio and video technology, creative arts, visual arts, and more. Students will take such courses as:
- Introduction to Simulation and Game Development
- Simulation and Game Development Design
- Survey of Game Engines
- SGD Production Management
- Simulation and Game Character Development
The Diploma in Game Programming, an online game design degree program from Central Piedmont Community College, prepares students for careers in this field. While offering a broad background in simulation and game development, this diploma focuses on game programming. You will receive hands-on training in programming as you learn to create simulations and games. Topics covered include creative writing, modeling, design, programming, and management. Examples of courses include:
- Simulation and Game Development Programming
- Survey of Game Engines
- Simulation and Game Artificial Intelligence
- Serious Games
- Virtual Simulation and Game Environments
- Flash Simulation and Game Programming
The Diploma in Simulation & Game Development is an online game design degree from Central Piedmont Community College. This program provides a broad background in simulation and game development for visually-minded, analytical, and creative students. Courses offer practical applications in creative arts, visual arts, audio/video technology, and more. With this diploma, students receive hands-on training in design, 3D modeling, and programming to create simulations and games. Examples of courses are:
- Introduction to Simulation and Game Development
- Simulation and Game Development Design
- 3D Modeling
- Simulation and Game Development Programming
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
You can experience in-depth studies in North Carolina laws with the Certificate in Criminal Justice Technology from Central Piedmont Community College. The online criminal justice program examines such topics as:
- Ethics
- Loss prevention
- Community relations
- Security management
Through the online criminal justice certificate program, you learn investigative techniques to solve crime. Students qualify for roles as special agents, bailiffs, correctional officers, and investigative fieldworkers.