Find out more about Community College of Allegheny County

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

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

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.

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