Degrees & Certificates

Earning a degree or certificate.

College of the Desert serves as the Coachella Valley’s center for higher education, occupational and technical training and lifelong learning. 

• 51 associate degree programs and transfer degree programs
• 39 certificate programs

Degrees are available within schools that include:

• School of Communications
• School of Applied Sciences
• School of Social Sciences and the Arts
• School of Healthcare and Early Childhood Education

Our programs and courses educate and nurture successful students. In fact, COD awards more degrees and certificates to successful students each year than all other local higher education providers combind.

• In 2009, COD awarded 646 degrees and certificates. 
• 308 students transferred to Cal State.
• 56 students transferred to University of California system.
• 364 students transferred to 4-year colleges.

COD offers over 1,000 classes in 89 different course areas in multiple locations throughout the Coachella Valley 

COD serves as:

• A two-year start on a four-year degree
• A direct gateway to a marketable skills in hospitality, medical and agricultural industries, among others
• Retraining for a career in a new, emerging field and economy
• The ability and resources needed to immediately contribute to our community.

Students can also enroll in a dual admission program that guarantees admission to Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert provided they complete the transfer admission requirements.