Find out more about Ridgewater College

Think 3-D!  With this complete online curriculum in AutoCAD and other design software, you can earn your AAS at your convenience and develop a skillset for multiple job opportunities.  Ridgewater’s curriculum is taught from industry-experienced faculty and you’ll learn drafting, blueprint reading, ASME standard practices and more.  Software utilized in this degree includes:

• Creo
• Inventor
• Solidworks
• MasterCAM

Combine your communication skills and creativity with this online AAS in Multimedia Design.  Learning online means that you can juggle studying with other obligations in your life.  With this program at Ridgewater, you can learn current industry software skills and gain artistic insight.  You'll learn to create graphics and manipulate objects with:

• Illustration
• Pagination
• Web design
• Animation
• Photo composition & editing

This 100% online AA in Liberal Arts can give you the skills that employers are looking for:  writing, reading comprehension, cultural awareness and analytical abilities.  These strengths, developed in this program at Ridgewater, can give you a well-rounded education and prepare you for a wide variety of jobs. Courses in this curriculum may be transferrable to a 4-year university, if you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

If you’re already working in a position and need to boost your design software skills, consider this online Certificate in CAD.  Through Ridgewater, this certificate is 100% online, meaning you can learn the latest in drafting and design technology from the comfort of your living room.  Software taught in this certificate may include:

• Creo
• Inventor
• Solidworks
• MasterCAM

Looking to add a 3-D design skillset to your resume?  Consider this online Diploma in CAD offered by Ridgewater.  You’ll learn from industry-experienced faculty and be introduced to software such as:

• Creo
• Inventor
• Solidworks
• MasterCAM

If you don’t necessarily want to pursue a degree, but want to add a technology-based skillset to your resume, consider this online Diploma in Multimedia Design.  At Ridgewater, you can begin this program in the fall or spring and gain technical graphic skills that are useful in any industry.  You’ll focus on these topics, among others:

• Pagination
• Web design
• Animation
• Photo composition & editing 

You can join a legal team with the Associate of Applied Science in Legal Assistant from Ridgewater College. The online paralegal degree teaches such skills as:

• Legal terminology
• Document preparation
• Offer procedures
• Transcribing documents

Through the online paralegal associate’s degree program, you also build your oral and written communication abilities. Graduates find work with law firms, courthouses, or government agencies.

To explore the gentler side of “to serve and protect,” consider the Associate of Applied Science in Peace Officer from Ridgewater College. The online law enforcement degree explores such topics as:

• Juvenile justice
• Homeland security
• Criminal investigations
• Peace officer and community

Through the online law enforcement associate’s degree program, you build the educational foundation for entry-level work in law enforcement or transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. Skilled peace officers have knowledge of human behavior and communication to help them in their work.

You can begin your educational journey to serve and protect with the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway from Ridgewater College. The online criminal justice degree prepares you for careers in such areas as:

• Counseling
• Probation
• Crime prevention
• Community corrections

Through the online criminal justice associate’s degree program, your credits easily transfer to another Minnesota school to complete your bachelor’s degree. Your online studies cover criminology, juvenile justice, and peace officers and community relations.

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You can save money by starting your bachelor’s degree at Ridgewater College with the Associate of Science in Peace Officer/Public Safety Transfer Pathway from Ridgewater College. The online law enforcement degree explores such topics as:

• Criminal law
• Crime scene simulations
• Police ethics and leadership
• Self-defense and enforcement tactics

Through the online law enforcement associate’s degree program, your credits directly transfer to designated bachelor’s degree programs within Minnesota. 

The online Certificate in Legal Assistant program prepares students for careers that are a combination of administrative assistant office roles and legal research and support.  Students will need to be detail-oriented, analytical thinkers, communicators, good with time management, and skilled in customer service for careers in this field.  You will take courses that cover topics in transcript and technology, legal terminology, legal research, office procedures, timekeeping and billing statements, and document composition for litigation, probate, real estate, domestic, and other matters.

You can take the fast track to work with attorneys with the Diploma in Legal Assistant from Ridgewater College. The online paralegal program develops skills in such areas as:

• Office procedures
• Legal terminology
• Document preparation
• Administrative skills

Through the online paralegal diploma program, you learn to integrate communication and computer technologies. Your online studies focus on upholding confidentiality as well as legal and ethical standards.

Start your career in early childhood education with this online early childhood education degree that provides an introduction to the field. The curriculum helps those who are looking into working with infants and toddlers in their development. It also provides a foundation for further studies in a two or four-year degree.  

Learn to provide developmentally appropriate activities as you study:

• Child development
• Behavior intervention
• Health and mental health in early childhood
• Methods and curriculum development
• Special education
• And more!

Coursework includes hands-on activities and community service opportunities that allow you to put your education to work before graduation.

Prepare for a career working with a growing part of the student population, those with special needs, with this online special education degree. This online early childhood education degree, which provides an introduction to the field, will help you work with infants and toddlers with their special learning needs. It also provides a foundation for further studies in a two or four-year degree. Coursework includes hands-on activities and community service opportunities that allow you to put your education to work before graduation.

Learn how to play a vital role in the use and secure storage of health records with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Health Information Technician. Students can become valuable members of a healthcare team in just two years or less. 

Health Information Technicians are in high demand across the country, so now is a great time to pursue your education and join this growing field. Coursework covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, electronic health record systems, legal aspects of health information, various coding software, and more.

Working in a medical front office can be a rewarding way to join the healthcare field without extensive schooling. In just two years, you can begin your career in healthcare with the Associate in Applied Science in Healthcare Administrative Assistant program. 

Ideal students for this program will enjoy working with diverse people, be detail oriented multi-taskers, and be highly adaptable. Coursework covers medical terminology, appointment scheduling, health insurance, and medical records. Students will gain the skills they need to work as receptionists or schedulers in a wide range of healthcare settings.

Working in a medical front office can be a rewarding way to join the healthcare field without extensive schooling. With the Diploma in Healthcare Administrative Assistant program, you can be on your way to a successful career in less than two years.

Ideal students for this program will enjoy working with diverse people, be detail oriented multi-taskers, and be highly adaptable. Coursework covers medical terminology, appointment scheduling, health insurance, and medical records. Students will gain the skills they need to work as receptionists or schedulers in a wide range of healthcare settings.

Help ensure the accuracy of medical records with a career in medical coding. This online Medical Coding Specialist Diploma gives you all the training you need to start a career in this in-demand field in the healthcare industry.

Graduates of this program can land a job in a medical facility or insurance organization. The program can be completed in two years or less and entirely online. Coursework includes studies of anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology.