Catawba Valley Community College: A Comprehensive Guide to Programs and Opportunities

Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) offers a diverse range of programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers and further academic pursuits. With over 50 programs of study, students can earn associate's degrees, complete transfer courses for a university, or train for workforce entry. CVCC is committed to student success, offering a supportive environment where students can discover their potential and achieve their goals.

Transfer Programs

CVCC provides several Associate degrees tailored for students planning to transfer to four-year institutions. These programs are designed to provide a strong foundation in essential academic skills and ensure a smooth transition to a university.

Associate in Arts (AA)

The Associate in Arts degree at CVCC is a well-rounded program that focuses on building essential skills in reading, writing, communication, mathematics, and basic computer usage. This degree is ideal for students desiring to pursue liberal arts and pre-professional programs. The Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation is a specialized transfer degree for students interested in pursuing teacher licensure in elementary, middle, high school, or special education.

Associate in Science (AS)

The Associate in Science degree is designed for students planning to enter science and/or mathematics-related fields. Students take college-level courses that focus on enhancing academic skills in areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, oral communication, and computer use.

Associate in Engineering (AE)

The Associate in Engineering degree is a planned program of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit. It is specifically designed for students desiring to pursue a baccalaureate degree in engineering. The Associate in Engineering Degree is part of the Uniform Articulation Agreement between the University of North Carolina Baccalaureate Engineering Programs and the North Carolina Community College System. This agreement ensures that a student who completes the Associate in Engineering Degree with a GPA of at least 2.5 and a grade of “C” or better in the required courses will have fulfilled the entrance requirements at all of the North Carolina public Bachelor of Science in Engineering programs. Associate in Engineering graduates may then apply to any of these programs without taking additional and sometimes duplicate courses.

Read also: Enrollment at Catawba College

Associate in Fine Arts (AFA)

The Associate in Fine Arts degree is for students desiring to pursue studies in Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts. Upon admission to another public two-year institution or to a public university, a community college student who was enrolled in an Associate in Fine Arts Degree program and who satisfactorily completed with a grade of “C” or better in all courses that are designated for college transfer (general education, elective, or pre-major), will receive credit for those courses. The receiving institution will determine whether the course will count as general education, major, or elective credit.

The Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts

The Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts gives artists a broad base to practice their skills and hone their talents. Students learn problem-solving skills applicable not only to art studies, but also to everyday life.

Theater Program

The program brings together the strengths that CVCC has to offer with small class sizes, instruction led by theater artists, and hands-on training. Strengthen your creativity and technical theatre knowledge through hands-on learning. The program brings together the strengths that CVCC has to offer, small class sizes, artist led instruction, and hands-on training.

Career and Technical Education Programs

CVCC offers a wide array of Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees and certificate programs designed to prepare students for direct entry into the workforce. These programs provide hands-on training and technical knowledge in various fields.

Accounting and Finance

The Accounting and Finance program offers two specialized tracks: Accounting and Financial Services. These programs provide students with the skills necessary for careers in accounting, finance, and related fields. The Accounting and Finance is a specialized transfer degree for students interested in pursuing teacher licensure in elementary, middle, high school, or special education.

Automotive Systems Technology

The Automotive Systems Technology curriculum prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of automobiles.

Computer Engineering Technology

The Computer Engineering Technology curriculum provides the skills required to install, service, and maintain computers, peripherals, networks and microprocessors, and computer controlled equipment.

Criminal Justice Technology

The Criminal Justice Technology curriculum is designed to provide knowledge of criminal justice systems and operations. Study will focus on local, state, and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections, and security services. Forensic Science is a concentration under the curriculum of Criminal Justice Technology, which focuses on the application of the physical, biomedical, and social sciences to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence, human testimony and criminal suspects.

Dental Hygiene

A dental hygienist’s primary functions focus on dental disease prevention and oral health maintenance. In NC, these functions are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy through middle childhood in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers. The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy through middle childhood in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management curriculum is designed to provide students with a foundation of technical and professional knowledge needed for emergency services delivery in local and state government agencies. Study involves both management and technical aspects of law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency planning.

Emergency Medical Science (EMS)

Emergency Medical Science (EMS) is an education in a branch of medicine that focuses on having a general knowledge in many other fields of medicine and the capacity to provide emergency care to critically ill or injured patients in order to stabilize them for further care. The professionals within this discipline are sought for many positions in the healthcare field, such as: ambulance services, flight crews, emergency rooms, urgent cares, doctor’s offices, and more. Prepare for a rewarding career in EMS, working in hospitals, ambulances, and other emergency medical services.

Fire Protection Technology

The Fire Protection Technology curriculum is intended to offer individuals professional and technical knowledge to make decisions regarding fire protection in both public and private domains.

Health Information Technology

When you study Health Information Technology at CVCC, you'll develop the skills to ensure the quality of health records, analyze patient data to improve care, and utilize advanced computer applications to support healthcare operations.

Healthcare Management Technology (HMT)

The Healthcare Management Technology (HMT) program prepares you to work in or manage these dynamic business office responsibilities and new reimbursement methods.

Industrial Systems Technology

The Industrial Systems Technology curriculum is designed to prepare or upgrade individuals to safely service, maintain, repair, or install equipment.

Information Technology: Programming and App Development

The Information Technology: Programming and App Development program prepares individuals for employment as computer programmers and related positions through study and applications in computer concepts, logic, programming procedures, languages, generators, operating systems, networking, data management, and business operations. Students will solve business computer problems through programming techniques and procedures, using appropriate languages and software.

Mechatronics Engineering Technology

The Mechatronics Engineering Technology curriculum prepares graduates to use basic engineering principles and technical skills in developing and testing automated, servomechanical, and other electromechanical systems.

Photographic Technology

The photography field is unique because it provides a wide range of niches that can be filled, offering an array of employment opportunities. Because of this, the Photographic Technology program at CVCC teaches a wide range of hands-on classes ranging from documentary, portraiture, commercial, fine art, to photojournalism. Students work two semesters on portfolios based on career interests.

Public Safety Administration

Catawba Valley Community College’s Public Safety Administration - 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Services program prepares students for leadership and administrative roles in emergency communications. Coursework includes emergency communications systems, crisis leadership, call center management, public safety technology, and interagency coordination. Catawba Valley Community College’s Public Safety Administration - Emergency and Fire Management Services program equips students with the technical and managerial skills to lead fire and emergency service operations. The Catawba Valley Community College’s Public Safety Administration - Law Enforcement Services program prepares students for leadership and management roles in law enforcement.

Radiography

When you study Radiography at CVCC, you’ll learn how to use radiation to create images of tissues, organs, bones, and blood vessels, which are essential for diagnosing and treating patients. The curriculum covers patient care, radiation protection, imaging techniques, equipment maintenance, and professional responsibility. CVCC is launching the first Limited Practice Radiographer (LPR) program in the state of North Carolina, made possible by a $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Community College System.

Respiratory Therapy

The Respiratory Program's main goal is to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Surgical Technology

When you study Surgical Technology at CVCC, you’ll learn to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations in the operating room, preparing supplies, equipment, and instruments. You’ll master aseptic technique, assist with patient preparation, and actively participate in surgeries, all while ensuring a safe and sterile environment.

Turfgrass Management Technology

Turfgrass Management Technology will prepare you for jobs maintaining lawns, golf courses, parks, and other recreational grounds. Students learn how to select, establish, maintain, and manage the right grasses for specific uses. Students will learn about warm and cool season grasses and how to control weeds, insects, and diseases.

Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA)

The Associate in Arts and Science programs are part of the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) which addresses the transfer of students between institutions in the North Carolina Community College System and the constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina. The CAA enables North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in arts and science degree programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina to transfer with junior status.

Additional Programs

CVCC offers a variety of other programs to meet the diverse needs of its students, including:

Advertising and Graphic Design
Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology
Business Administration
Electrical Systems Technology
Electronics Engineering Technology
Entrepreneurship
General Occupational Technology
Graphic Design
Horticulture Technology
Information Technology: CyberSecurity
Information Technology: Information Systems
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Medical Office Administration
Sustainability Technology
Welding Technology

High School Programs

CVCC also offers programs for high school students, allowing them to get a head start on their college education. These programs include:

Accounting and Finance: Accounting H.S.
Advertising and Graphic Design H.S.
Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology H.S.
Business Administration H.S.
Computer-Integrated Machining Technology H. S.
Criminal Justice Technology Forensic Science Concentration Crime Scene H. S.
Criminal Justice Technology Law Enforcement H. S.
Fire Protection Technology Fire Protection Management H.S.
Health Information Technology H. S.
Mechatronics Engineering Technology H. S.
Office Administration H.S.
Photographic Technology H.S.
Turfgrass Management H.S.
Welding Technology - Fabrication Certificate H.S.
Welding Technology H.S.

Student Life and Activities

CVCC believes that college is more than classrooms - it’s also a chance to discover what your future holds. Studies show students are more likely to achieve academic goals when participating in campus activities.

Open House Events

CVCC hosts "Ready. Set. Soar!" Open House events to allow prospective students to explore the college's diverse degree programs, discover apprenticeship opportunities, and connect with resources like financial aid and student services.

Celebration of Excellence

CVCC hosts its annual Celebration of Excellence, an evening dedicated to honoring resilience, leadership, and service within the Catawba Valley community. The event recognizes individuals whose leadership and service embody the values of progress, unity, and community advancement.

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