Find out more about Community College of Allegheny County

If you’re unsure exactly where you want to head with your higher education and want some flexibility regarding majors, think about an AS in General Studies.  This malleable program offered 100% online through the Community College of Allegheny County enables you to explore different areas of study, depending upon your career and educational goals.  Working with a CCAC advisor, you can choose courses that most closely align with your path, all the while learning to think critically, communicate effectively and problem solve applying theory to practice.

At the Community College of Allegheny County, you can begin your path to a bachelor’s degree online with an AS in Liberal Arts & Sciences.  The curriculum in this program can be molded to fit your plans for the future.  Working with an CCAC transfer counselor, you can take classes that will efficiently transfer to the four-year institution you plan to attend.  Regardless of your area of study, this associate’s degree will prepare you to effectively communicate both orally and written, analyze data mathematically, understand and convey relative information regarding your chosen area of study and apply relative theory to practice.

CCAC offers an online Certificate in Digital Design that will hone your skills in graphic design for print or web media.  Whether you plan to work for yourself, as a free-lancer, or look for an entry-level position in production art, graphic design, illustrator or desktop publishing, this certificate will have you well-prepared.  Subject areas covered are likely to include:

• Color theory
• Principles of design
• Graphic technology
• Visual communication

If you are a professional who needs to complete a required study of diversity and understanding through a formal education, consider earning the online Ethnic & Diversity Studies Certificate from CCAC.  As this program is intended to meet the needs of employment requirements in various settings, electives should be chosen according to individual needs.  Subjects within the curriculum include:

• Black women and leadership
• Urban sociology
• Race and ethnic relations

With the modern workplace in mind, the Community College of Allegheny County offers an online General Education Certificate.  This program serves dual purposes.  It can be the core of an associate’s degree or it can provide a documented level of competency for entry-level positions.  Subject areas likely include:

• Analytical reasoning
• Cultural diversity
• Math
• English composition
• Computer literacy

The online Accounting Certificate benefits working professionals with accounting backgrounds or applicants with post secondary education who want to further their skills. Studies build on accounting principles, interpreting data and management of financial transactions. Complete courses in managerial accounting, computer and office applications, in addition to business electives of your choice.

If you are currently an administrator, assistant or secretary and need to improve your technology skills, consider the online Administrative Computer Specialist Certificate through the Community College of Allegheny County.  This program, offered completely online, may help boost your career and enable you to work more efficiently in your position.  You will learn new skills and gain insight towards:

• Word processing
• Presentations
• E-commerce
• Desktop publishing

The online Administrative Assistant degree program provides students with essential business, technological and office administration skill sets. This knowledge is vital for administrative positions in a wide range of businesses, including medical, legal, educational, governmental, and industrial offices. In addition, you will have the opportunity to advance soft skills such as organizing and coordinating workflow.

Specific courses include, but are not limited to:

• Business communications
• Office productivity
• Desktop publishing

The Accounting online degree from the Community College of Allegheny County prepares students for transfer to a four-year institution with a broad college background and skills and knowledge in accounting. Business courses include subjects in economics, managerial accounting, analytical methods and more.

Gain skills in:

• ​Entry level accounting practices in a business organization
• ​Analysis of financial statements
• Decision making and problem solving

The associate’s Accounting Specialist degree online from the Community College of Allegheny County prepares students for entry-level positions in accounting firms, banks, and the payroll and accounting departments of many businesses. Specific studies include topics such as business law, accounting applications, taxation and more.

Develop skills in:

• Best accounting practices for businesses
• ​How to analyze and interpret financial statements
• ​Problem solving in regards to accounting matters

The online Associate of Science in Business degree offers the general education and business foundations for transfer into a four-year program. Through this degree, learn vital critical thinking and problem solving skills, along with effective communication practices. You will also learn how to analyze sources of information, in order to interpret current trends. 

Explore business concepts in:

• Marketing
• Management
• Finance and accounting

The online Business Management degree is ideal for anyone who wants to gain competitive skill sets for entry level positions, some of which include marketing, finance, human resources and business administration. Specific concentrations offer marketing, corporate and small business program options. In addition to business knowledge, develop oral and written communication competencies. Further build on your critical thinking and problem solving skills. Learn how to research and interpret business trends and global environmental impacts.

Should you choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree, credits can be transferred into a four-year university.

A hospitality management degree online can advance your career in a range of tourism industries, some of which include lodging facilities, food and beverage, event management and more. This associate’s degree is also intended to enhance your communication and time management skills. Develop capabilities to manage operations as you gain knowledge of financial matters.

As part of your online hospitality degree, study topics such as:

• Foodservice, lodging and recreation management
• Casino gaming
• Hospitality sales and marketing

​A Business Management online certificate builds on your current skills, and is especially beneficial for those with recent business experience or with some postsecondary education. Topics cover a broad range of studies, some of which include accounting, marketing, business law and macroeconomics. As you gain a better understanding of these concepts, you will also learn how to determine and analyze valid informational sources. In addition, learn effective office communication processes and improve skills in writing reports.

The E-commerce certificate online benefits business professionals as well as anyone wanting to gain a competitive edge in today’s marketplace. In addition to marketing and accounting foundations, learn web design and development skills. Gain knowledge about programming, specifically Java. Enjoy the flexibility of online learning without the need to sacrifice your current career goals.

If you have a great idea or venture, but not necessarily the skills to finance and sustain it, consider an online Entrepreneurship Certificate from the Community College of Allegheny County.  In this program, students learn the ins-and-outs of running a small, entrepreneurial business successfully.  They learn how to strategize, launch, and sell new ventures, all the while problem-solving and analyzing within the marketplace.  Courses may include:

• Introduction to e-commerce
• Principles of marketing
• Business law

The online Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems prepares students with a broad knowledge of computer hardware and software components. Students will learn core principles and terminology related to computing.

Courses examine ways to implement programs using various data structures and types. Students gain skills in database design and creation of advanced graphical user interface components. Graduates of this Computer Information Systems associate degree online may continue their studies by transferring into a bachelor’s degree program or enter into a career in computing. 

The curriculum includes aspects of:

• Java programming
• Computer organization
• Data structures and programming with C++
• Database systems

The associate’s degree in Information Technology Support from CCAC opens the door to a wide range of user support and network support specialist roles. Graduates will understand how to use troubleshooting strategies to correct a variety of IT issues and problems.

The online Information Technology associate’s degree program provides a strong foundation in hardware components, operating systems, network environments, and user support. Courses encourage students to analyze trends and developments in the IT field that can impact businesses and individuals. Students can go on to pursue various industry certifications, transfer into a bachelor’s level program, or immediately enter the workforce with entry-level opportunities upon graduation. 

Job titles in the IT Support field include:

• Help desk support
• Technical support
• End-user trainer
• Network support technician
• Network administrator

The online associate’s degree in Software Development provides a foundation in computer programming concepts, systems development, and data modeling. Students also learn software development and programming using object-oriented languages such as Java and Visual Basic.

Courses instruct students in ways to use software to collect, process, and present information needed by businesses and consumers. Students will be able to program for various types of data, arrays, and graphical user interfaces. Graduates of this online Software Development degree will be prepared for entry-level employment opportunities as programmers.

The online Certificate in Information Technology Support from CCAC provides a foundation in hardware components, operating systems, networked environments, troubleshooting technical problems, and supporting users. The program is ideal for those already working in a different area of IT or who have degrees in other fields and want to transition to IT support roles.

Upon completion of this online IT degree program, students will have specific technical competencies for entry-level employment opportunities as a user support or network support specialist. Graduates will be prepared to sit for various industry certifications. Job titles in the field include help desk support, technical support, end-user trainer, network support technician or network administrator. 

The program seeks to create IT professionals who are skilled in:

• Creating technical documentation
• Evaluating IT management strategies
• Applying research to IT issues and presenting results in various formats
• Analyzing developments and trends in IT that impact businesses and individuals
• Using troubleshooting strategies to correct a variety of IT problems

The online Certificate in Software Development provides a foundation in computer programming concepts, systems development, and data modeling. The program is ideal for individuals who have a degree in or are currently working in an IT field who want to pursue opportunities in application software development. 

Students will learn software development and programming using object-oriented languages such as Java, Visual Basic, and C++. Courses discuss ways to program for various data types, arrays, methods, and graphical user interfaces. This Software Development certificate online prepares students for entry-level positions as programmers.

Play an important role in the judicial process with this online paralegal degree. This program ensures graduates are ready to pursue careers in verbatim court reporting. Other graduates may pursue careers as closed captioners for television programs, Computer Access Real-time Translation (CART) providers, or reporters in deposition suites.  

Courses cover such topics as machine shorthand, transcription, legal and court procedures, medical and legal terminology, and computer-aided transcription. Learn about technologies in the court reporting field and the ethical and social responsibilities of court reporting professionals.

Are you interested in criminal justice and social justice issues? If so, check out this online criminal justice degree. It serves as an introduction to the field and also helps those already in the field to expand and gain advanced training.  

Study each component of the criminal justice system and learn its purpose and function as you also study the United States Bill of Rights. Courses teach students about evidence collection and the courtroom value of physical and testimonial evidence.  

Graduates will be prepared for careers in:

• Police departments
• State police agencies
• Security services
• Insurance services
• The gaming industry

With businesses storing more and more information on the internet, there is a corresponding need for cybersecurity professionals. This online cyber security degree prepares students to fill these positions as Information Technology (IT) support specialists. Get ready for entry-level employment opportunities.

Gain a strong foundation in hardware components, operating systems, networked environments, and cybersecurity. Learn to maintain and troubleshoot local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Internet systems. You will be able to plan, implement, and maintain security measures and controls to protect critical information assets and to prevent, detect, analyze, and respond to system intrusions and data breaches.

Take your place helping first responders with this online fire science degree. While not providing certification as a first responder, this program does prepare students for careers in the administration or management of first responders and related organizations.  

Learn to prevent fires and reduce the loss of life and property. The focus is on such topics as analytical approaches to fire protection and investigation, personnel management, disaster and fire defense planning, hazardous materials management, fire protection structure and system design, emergency health services, and more. Graduates are ready to make a difference in fire safety without being firefighters.

Climb the career ladder with this online homeland security degree. Explore risk management, systems integration, threat dynamics, and the legal, political, and ethical issues associated with homeland security, preparing for a successful career in the field.  

Students will examine security in the post-9/11 world, identifying security concerns linked to terrorism. Take a look at the organizations involved in homeland security. Graduates may pursue employment in:

• Border, airport, and seaport security
• The intelligence field
• Technology security
• Disaster or emergency response

Help make networks more secure with this online cyber security degree. This program prepares students for entry-level careers supporting the cyber security of computer networks and their data as cybersecurity support specialists.  

Learn to implement security policies that protect an organization’s servers, desktops, and mobile equipment. You will be able to identify, describe, and analyze vulnerabilities, threats, and risks for critical information assets and plan, implement, and maintain security measures and controls. Graduates are able to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of data in various forms and storage.

While not providing industry certifications such as CompTIA Network + and Security+, this online cyber security degree does serve as a great starting point.

Prepare to make a difference in security in the post-9/11 world with this online homeland security degree. Graduates work in border, airport, and seaport security. Others may go into the intelligence field, technology security, and disaster or emergency response.  

Regardless of the career path you are pursuing, you will study risk management, systems integration, threat dynamics, and the legal, political, and ethical issues associated with homeland security. Learn to identify major security problems linked to terrorism and explain risk assessment principles in the real world.

Thinking about a bachelor’s degree in geography, history or political science, but not ready to head to a 4-year university?  Consider an online AA in Social Sciences from the Community College of Allegheny County where you can begin earning credit towards a bachelor’s degree.  This program can prepare you for future studies or stand on its own as an educational foundation, potentially enabling you to grow in your current position.  CCAC’s online AA in Social Sciences enables you to concentrate your learning in sociology/anthropology, history, political science and includes courses such as:

• Western civilization
• American government
• US history