Get on the fast-track to career success by stacking your credentials.
Whether you're planning to transfer to a university or enter directly into a career, Valencia College has a degree to get you there. Start your career with a career or technical certificate. Build on your skills with an associate degree. Then advance your career with a bachelor’s degree.
Choose the path that will help you reach your career goals.
If you're planning on getting a bachelor's degree, then the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is for you. It's equivalent to the first two years at a state university. The only difference? At about half the cost, it's a much more affordable way to start out. And when you're finished at Valencia College, you'll be prepared to transfer to a four-year university as a junior, including the University of Central Florida, which guarantees admission through DirectConnect to UCF®.
Through Valencia's arts and entertainment programs, you'll get the opportunity to learn from and work with industry professionals, build your portfolio, get hands-on training and collaborate with other students, all in a creative environment. Whether you're interested in graphic arts, music, theater, dance or film, we'll give you the education and experience you need to turn what you love into what you do for a living.
Developed in collaboration with some of the top employers and industry leaders in the area, Valencia's business programs will immerse you in the latest business theories and practices. From learning to run your own business, to mastering accounting, to providing office support, we'll give you the foundation you need to enter this diverse field.
From reporting to writing to signing, you can hone your communications skills at Valencia. You can tailor your studies toward your intended university major by taking elective courses in creative writing, literature, mass communications and more, or by working on the college's student-run newspaper
Valencia's Education transfer plans and the Educator Preparation Institute will give you the foundation to become a teacher in Florida. You'll become familiar with the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices, Sunshine State Standards and the Professional Educator Competencies. Plus, through field-based experiences and internships, you'll get a chance to see what it's like in front of the classroom too.
For fledging chefs, hoteliers, restaurant managers and tourism professionals can get a first class education at Valencia. Our programs stress hands-on experience, which you'll get through internships as well from the banquet rooms, commercial-sized instructional kitchen, dynamic point-of-sale system, and hotel front desk simulation area housed on the West Campus. From meeting planning to menu planning, we'll help you prepare for a career in this exciting industry.
These days, companies from every industry depend on IT professionals—for technical support, maintaining their websites and keeping their systems running and secure. At Valencia College, you'll get the hands-on training you need to enter this diverse job field. All core classes are taught in state-of-the-art computer labs with the most popular software and hardware, while internships provide first-hand experience working within an IT department.
The A.S. degree in Plant Science and Agricultural Technology at Valencia College, focuses on landscape design, construction and maintenance; horticulture greenhouse and nursery operations; or sustainable agriculture edible crop production. The A.A. Degree Pathway provides the foundational science courses you’ll need to transfer to a four-year horticulture program. Learn about everything from plant propagation to greenhouse construction through labs, field trips, internships and greenhouses on both East and West campuses.
The Valencia College School of Public Safety provides comprehensive education, training and resources for our communities' first responders. It houses three major program areas: Criminal Justice, Fire Rescue and Safety and Security. Our law enforcement and corrections academies and fire science academy and minimum standards class for fire fighters meet Florida's training requirements and qualify students to take the state certification exams within their field. We also offer industry certifications and advanced specialized training, as well as two-year Associate in Science (A.S) degrees in Criminal Justice, Fire Science Technology or Paralegal Studies.
Valencia College offers professional training courses, programs, seminars and workshops dedicated to the public safety community, including specialized training for sworn Florida law enforcement, corrections or probation officers, and fire service professionals of all levels.
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The Law Enforcement Academy Track is an A.S. Degree program that is designed to provide students with the education, training, skills and abilities for a successful law enforcement career. The program will introduce students to a wide range of topics, including criminal justice, legal knowledge, defensive tactics, investigations and the court system, among others. Students can complete four semesters of intensive coursework over a two-year timeframe.
The Fire Science Academy is a fast-paced degree-granting program that provides students with three components of career development in just two years: A.S. degree in Fire Science Technology, EMT (Emergency Medical Technology) Technical Certificate (must pass a state exam), and Minimum Standards Training - Firefighter I and Firefighter II (must pass a state exam).
Get on the fast track to career success with a technical certificate. Technical certificates are designed to prepare you for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement, and most can be completed in one year or less. You can also use your credits earned toward the completion of a related A.S. degree.
Get the training you need to become a Florida certified Law Enforcement Officer, Correctional Officer or Fire Fighter from one of Valencia’s academy programs. Some credits can also be applied toward an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice or Fire Science.
From calculus to chemistry, science and mathematics degree pathways at Valencia College provide the foundational courses you’ll need to transfer to a related four-year university program. Core curriculum includes accelerated math courses and biology and chemistry labs, while electives range from physics to geology, astronomy and ethnobotany. Request more information for the latest online courses, online degree and distance learning opportunities available.
Social Sciences
Following any one of Valencia's social science transfer plans will give you a greater understanding of human society. You'll explore major topics in history, philosophy, culture, and a wide range of complex societal issues. Coursework emphasizes open class discussions, critical reading and writing assignments and independent thinking.
Associate in Arts Degree PathwayAA