Academic Programs
Browse all academic programs and credentials available at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA.
How Many Programs Are Offered at College of the Desert?
How College of the Desert Compares
With 123 programs across 32 fields of study, College of the Desert's catalog is broader than the typical trade or vocational school, where 5–15 programs is more common. The roughly 4,237 students who earn a credential each year reflect strong throughput across multiple disciplines — a sign of a school that can serve students with very different career goals under one roof.
What Programs Does College of the Desert Offer?
Liberal Arts & Humanities 3 programs • 1239 graduates (29.2%)
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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Humanities/Humanistic Studies.
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Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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Education 7 programs • 481 graduates (11.4%)
Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
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Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
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Education, Other.
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Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
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Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs.
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Elementary Education and Teaching.
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Education, General.
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Health Professions & Clinical Sciences 13 programs • 466 graduates (11.0%)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
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Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other.
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Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
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Pharmacy Technician/Assistant.
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Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling.
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Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training.
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Physical Therapy Assistant.
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Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training.
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Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling.
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Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic).
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Athletic Training/Trainer.
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Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling.
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Community Health and Preventive Medicine.
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Family & Consumer Sciences 7 programs • 415 graduates (9.8%)
Child Care Provider/Assistant.
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Child Care Provider/Assistant.
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Child Care Provider/Assistant.
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Human Development and Family Studies, General.
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Child Care and Support Services Management.
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Child Care and Support Services Management.
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Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General.
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Business, Management & Marketing 16 programs • 288 graduates (6.8%)
Business Administration and Management, General.
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Business/Commerce, General.
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Business/Commerce, General.
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Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
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Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
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Accounting.
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Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
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Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science, General.
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Office Management and Supervision.
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Office Management and Supervision.
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Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General.
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Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other.
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Business/Office Automation/Technology/Data Entry.
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Hospitality Administration/Management, General.
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Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science, General.
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Resort Management.
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Engineering Technologies 2 programs • 281 graduates (6.6%)
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician.
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Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician.
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Security & Protective Services 8 programs • 158 graduates (3.7%)
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.
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Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.
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Criminal Justice/Police Science.
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Fire Science/Fire-fighting.
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Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician.
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Corrections.
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Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician.
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Criminal Justice/Police Science.
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Psychology 1 program • 140 graduates (3.3%)
Psychology, General.
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Mechanic & Repair Technologies 4 programs • 111 graduates (2.6%)
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.
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Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.
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Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician.
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Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician.
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Social Sciences 5 programs • 94 graduates (2.2%)
Sociology, General.
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Political Science and Government, General.
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Anthropology, General.
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Anthropology, Other.
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Economics, General.
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Agriculture & Natural Resources 8 programs • 78 graduates (1.8%)
Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General.
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Crop Production.
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Turf and Turfgrass Management.
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Crop Production.
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Turf and Turfgrass Management.
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Turf and Turfgrass Management.
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Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General.
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Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General.
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Computer & Information Sciences 5 programs • 77 graduates (1.8%)
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.
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Computer Science.
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Computer Graphics.
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Information Technology.
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Computer Graphics.
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Visual & Performing Arts 9 programs • 67 graduates (1.6%)
Cinematography and Film/Video Production.
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Art/Art Studies, General.
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Music Technology.
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Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
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Music, General.
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Visual and Performing Arts, General.
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Graphic Design.
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Musical Theatre.
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Music, General.
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Parks, Recreation & Fitness 5 programs • 51 graduates (1.2%)
Exercise Science and Kinesiology.
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Physical Fitness Technician.
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Physical Fitness Technician.
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Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management.
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Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General.
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Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 2 programs • 46 graduates (1.1%)
Biological and Physical Sciences.
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Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
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Communication & Journalism 5 programs • 39 graduates (0.9%)
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
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Radio and Television.
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Journalism.
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Radio and Television.
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Mass Communication/Media Studies.
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Personal & Culinary Services 2 programs • 34 graduates (0.8%)
Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General.
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Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General.
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English Language & Literature 1 program • 27 graduates (0.6%)
English Language and Literature, General.
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Natural Resources & Conservation 3 programs • 22 graduates (0.5%)
Natural Resources/Conservation, General.
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Natural Resources/Conservation, General.
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Environmental Science.
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Construction Trades 3 programs • 21 graduates (0.5%)
Building/Construction Site Management/Manager.
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Building/Home/Construction Inspection/Inspector.
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Building/Construction Site Management/Manager.
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Physical Sciences 3 programs • 20 graduates (0.5%)
Physics, General.
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Chemistry, General.
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Geology/Earth Science, General.
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Biological & Biomedical Sciences 1 program • 17 graduates (0.4%)
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
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History 1 program • 17 graduates (0.4%)
History, General.
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Mathematics & Statistics 1 program • 11 graduates (0.3%)
Mathematics, General.
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Precision Production 1 program • 8 graduates (0.2%)
Welding Technology/Welder.
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Communications Technologies 1 program • 7 graduates (0.2%)
Recording Arts Technology/Technician.
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Architecture & Related Services 1 program • 7 graduates (0.2%)
Architectural Technology/Technician.
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Engineering 1 program • 4 graduates (0.1%)
Pre-Engineering.
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Philosophy & Religious Studies 1 program • 4 graduates (0.1%)
Philosophy.
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Foreign Languages & Linguistics 1 program • 3 graduates (0.1%)
Spanish Language and Literature.
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Legal Professions & Studies 1 program • 2 graduates (0.0%)
Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary.
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Area & Cultural Studies 1 program • 2 graduates (0.0%)
Area Studies, Other.
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Ready to Start Your Career?
From certificates to degrees, College of the Desert provides extensive training options for in-demand careers. Begin your journey today.