Programs of Study
In implementing its mission statement, WCC provides several types of programs, as well as a wide selection of curricular offerings. Each curriculum is designed to meet the general criteria established by the State Board of Community Colleges. At the same time, WCC strives to design each curriculum with emphasis on the needs and opportunities within the college’s service region.
The State Board for Community Colleges sets minimum standards for conferring appropriate associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas to individuals who satisfactorily complete course and program requirements. The following programs are offered by WCC. The descriptions reflect the philosophies of both the state governing agencies and the college.
General Education
The programs in general education at WCC emphasize broad learning that goes beyond job training and skill development. Each degree and certificate program of the college contains prescribed general education courses, including academic courses in the humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, wellness, and communication skills. General education is that portion of the collegiate experience that addresses the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values characteristic of educated persons. It is unbounded by disciplines and honors the connections among bodies of knowledge.
Wytheville Community College is committed to offering its students programs that encompass the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by each individual to be more effective as a person, a worker, a consumer, and a citizen. Through a combination of general education courses, specialized courses in the major field, and student development courses, graduates are provided with a collegiate experience that supports the development of the following general education goals.
The college transfer programs include first- and second-year courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional courses that transfer to four-year colleges and universities. A number of four-year degree programs are available on the campus of Wytheville Community College, including Old Dominion University and King College.
Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree Programs are designed with two primary goals in mind: (1) to offer the student a widely accepted program of general preparation for upper-division work in her or her chosen professional field, stressing a balance of required courses common to most baccalaureate degree programs; and (2) to offer maximum flexibility so that the student may select specific courses that may be required at the college or university to which transfer is contemplated.
Associate of Arts & Sciences (AA&S)
Certificate (C)
Career & Technical Education Programs
The career and technical education programs are designed to meet the increasing demands for technicians, para- professional workers, and skilled craftsmen for employment in industry, business, the professions, and government. These programs serve as initial training for students preparing to enter the job market for the first time, as a supplement to work experience for persons who are preparing for advancement in their present lines of work, or as retraining for persons who must develop new skills for the present job market.
To meet these goals, Citizens Advisory Committees provide, in partnership with industry and the community, information and advice to enable continuous updating of curricula, course content, technology, and faculty knowledge of current industry practices. Preparation for successful employment may encompass many aspects of education that extend beyond the classroom, such as cooperative education and internships that are conducive to success in the workplace.
Associate of Applied Science Degree programs are designed primarily to prepare the student for employment immediately upon graduation from the community college. Thus, these programs contain a large number of specialized courses.
Wytheville Community College offers both two-year diploma and one-year certificate programs for those students interested in immediate employment in selected occupational fields. The student’s program is designed to facilitate transition into an appropriate AAS degree program at a later date. Students interested in such options should plan their programs carefully with their advisors and counselors at WCC.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Accounting
- Administrative Support Technology
- Corrections Science
- Dental Hygiene
- Early Childhood Development
- EMS -- Paramedics (offered in partnership with Southwest Virginia Community College)
- Industrial Technician (Technical Studies)
- Information Systems Technology
- Machine Technology
- Management
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Nursing
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Police Science
- Radiologic Technology
- Respiratory Care (offered in partnership with Southwest Virginia Community College)
Diploma (D) - Construction Technology
Certificate (C)
- Clerical Studies
- Corrections
- Law Enforcement
- Machine Tool Operations
- Medical Office Clerk
- Practical Nursing
Developmental courses do not fulfill degree requirements. They are designed to help students overcome academic deficiencies and build the foundation needed to succeed in college-level courses.
The developmental courses at WCC provide supplementary and compensatory learning experiences that are directly related to curricular or subject areas. These courses assist individuals in developing both basic study skills and subject knowledge necessary to succeed in their college programs.
Increasing numbers of students are continuing, extending, or updating their educational experience in areas of occupational-technical skills and in traditional academic areas. With this growth, WCC assumes the responsibility to support and enhance each student’s opportunity and potential for success through the developmental studies courses and through a continued commitment to serve the educational needs of the service region.
Co-op/internship students are employed part-time at work experience sites in positions related to their future career goals. The typical work week is 10-25 hours, depending upon the number of credits to be earned. It is preferred that students take advantage of the Internship Program (without pay) while working at non-profit entities. Experiential learning, combined with classroom theory, enhances the development and professional preparation of the co-op/internship student.
Workforce Development - Continuing Education and Community Services
Workforce Development
Continuing Education
Wytheville Community College realizes that education is a continuing lifelong process. All individuals in the college’s service region need the opportunity to develop and increase their knowledge in their personal, community and work environments. Continuing Education is the outreach arm of the college dedicated to meeting the ongoing educational needs of the community.
Community Services
Career Studies Certificate (CSC)
Award: Certificate in Human Services with a major in Career Studies
Note: Due to the short duration of these programs and the absence of general education requirements from most, successful completion does not entitle one to participate in or to be recognized during graduation exercises.
Purpose: A significant portion of the student population served by Wytheville Community College is comprised of part-time evening students. Many of these individuals need and desire post-secondary continuing education programs of study that are of less than conventional one- or two-year duration. Such students have specific occupational, industrial, and/or professional goals that can best be realized through short-term programs.
The options included within the Career Studies program represent a variety of career and academic pursuits. Each may be viewed as a mini-curriculum which is part of a broader range of educational possibilities within a given career field.
Length: Variable. The options within this program amount to approximately one to two semesters of full-time academic work.
Admission Requirements: Admissions to the Career Studies Certificate program is based upon the gneral requirements for admission to the college.
Program Options (click for required courses):
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Carpentry
- Child Development
- Clerical Assistant
- Dental Assisting
- Electrical
- File Clerk
- Health Sciences
- Machining
- Organizational Leadership
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy
- Plumbing
- Welding
As community needs are identified, the college will develop and implement additional options to the extent that institutional resources permit.