Do you want to take one or two college classes online, or do you want to take ALL your classes online?  Assuming you’re looking for accredited online community college courses, where can you find a community college that offers the entire online AA, AS Degree programs that you’re looking for?  Quite a few, actually!  Here’s one suggestion for getting your online college degree off the ground!

Rio Salado offers an “ala carte menu” where you can mix and match your courses, giving you complete flexibility to tailor your individual program.  Here’s how it works.  First, select a concentration area.  This is where you’ll select your certificate, then you’ll add some required general education units and elective units to round out the requirements for your AA.  Here are the 5 certificate programs that are available at the time this article is written, check the website here:  (link) for more information, and to keep current.  You’ll be taking between 61 and 64 units, and need to earn a “C” or better in each course, and maintain a 2.0 GPA or better.

There are quite a few online degrees available, for this article we’ll look at one of the available degrees, in the popular Computer Technology department.  You’ll earn 34 units in each of these Certificates of Completion:

Certificate of Completion in Advanced Computer Usage and Applications:  Word – Level 2, PowerPoint – Level 2, Windows Operating System – Level 2, Project Management Software – Levels 1 & 2, Advanced Excel Spreadsheet Level 2, Advanced Microsoft Access:  Database Management, Internet/Web Development Level 2, Business Communication

Certificate of Completion in Digital Design:  Computer Graphics – Adobe Illustrator, Computer Graphics – Adobe Photoshop, Project Management Software Level 1 & 2, Desktop Design and Publishing Using Adobe InDesign, Survey of Multimedia Technology, Advanced Photoshop, Digital Design Portfolio

Certificate of Completion in Networking:  Design and System Support:  Microcomputer Set Up and Maintenance, Computer Maintenance, Computer Configuration and Enhancement, Software Installation – MS Windows, Windows Operating System Level 2, Introduction to Local Area Networks, Business Systems Analysis and Design, Local Area Network Planning and Design

Certificate of Completion in Programming:  Programming Fundamentals, Visual Basic Programming 1 & 2, C Programming, Java Programming Level 1 & 2

Certificate of Completion in Web Design:  User Interface  (Flash: Digital Animation, Computer Graphics: Adobe Photoshop, Project Management Software, Survey of Multimedia Technology, Visual Basic Programming, Internet/Web Development, e-Commerce

Here’s the link for the Rio Salado’s Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Computer Technology program.

Once you’ve selected your concentration, you’ll need to select your general education classes, which are the same courses you’d take in person.  You’ll most likely see these classes at most Community Colleges online:

6 Units English – First Year Composition

3 Units Oral Communication – Introduction to Human Communication

0 – 3 Units Critical Reading

3 Units Math

3 Units Humanities and Fine Arts

3 Units Social and Behavioral Sciences

4 Units Natural Sciences

When you complete your degree online with Rio Salado, you’ll also select 5 elective units from this areas;  Business-Personal Computers, Corporate Computer Technology, Computer Interface Systems, or Office Automation.

It is possible to earn a great degree completely online!  Rio Salado is just one of many online community colleges to select from, check your local community college to find out which classes are offered online.  If your local community college course fees are lower than Rio Salado, check to see if any general education courses taken elsewhere are transferable prior to taking them elsewhere.

Get started today with an online community college degree!