College of the Desert

College of the Desert -- A 2 + 2 Community College in California

Since opening its doors in 1962, College of the Desert (COD) in Palm Desert, California has been an affiliate of the 110 community colleges in the state, and a partner in the quest to offer students top quality educational programs. College of the Desert services over 12,000 students in the Coachella Valley.

As a 2-year institution, College of the Desert is proud to act as an affordable stepping stone for many students to the 4-year universities of their choice, as demonstrated by the college's focus on offering programs that transfer easily to the University of California and California State University systems. In addition, COD offers students certificate programs and associate degree programs in many vocational and technical areas, including advanced transportation technologies, culinary arts, digital design and production, nursing and health sciences, and turf grass management and ornamental horticulture. Furthermore, the Palm Springs, California location is an ideal setting for study of the Hospitality industry, as well as Golf Management programs.

Full Service International Education Program

The International Education Program (IEP) offers the nearly 220 international students at College of the Desert comprehensive assistance with activity programs, housing, orientation, university transfer counseling, and all aspects of the college experience, so that they may better achieve their educational goals. A student in the program is assigned an International Student Counselor, who provides personalized academic advising, and works with the student in choosing classes and in answering questions related to specific majors and university transfers. In addition, throughout the semester IEP offers workshops that focus on a variety of topics related to the transfer process.

English Language Programs

IEP students also have the opportunity to undergo intensive English training through the Intensive English Academy (IEA) in Palm Springs, California. The program offers courses from beginning to advanced levels to students interested in learning English skills needed for entering an American college or university. IEA offers standard programs of 8 and 16 weeks, or a summer accelerated program lasting 8 weeks. Students who complete the IEA program can enter College of the Desert without the TOEFL.

Associate Degree Opportunities

College of the Desert offers 63 Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees from the college's 28 departments. Associate programs are designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skill sets necessary to succeed in their fields of choice. Degree requirements average between 60 and 70 credit hours, but vary by program and focus. Examples of programs leading to an associate's degree include: administration of justice, advanced transportation technologies, communications, computer science, foreign languages, nutrition care, and sociology.

Transferable Online Classes

College of the Desert offers online classes in a variety of discipline areas each semester. The classes are designed to be easily transferable. They have the same prerequisites and hold the same academic weight as their companion on-campus courses. Online courses generally follow the same 16-week semester schedule as on-campus courses.

Examples of previous online courses include: computer survival skills, administration of programs for young children, personal and community health, and elementary Spanish.

COD Certificate Programs

College of the Desert offers 40 certificate programs through 15 departments. COD certificate programs for employment preparation or achievement are designed to provide well-rounded instruction in a vocation of the student's choosing. Certificate requirements vary by program and require anywhere from 12 to 51 credit hours to complete. Examples of certificate programs available include: landscape and irrigation technician, building inspection technology, automotive technology, retail management, culinary arts, and early childhood education.

Delivered by a Supportive Faculty

Faculty members of College of the Desert are dedicated to providing students with the skills and opportunities to succeed in their fields of interest. Along with the supportive COD staff, the college's faculty serves students by providing them with the tools needed to be prepared either for transferring to a 4-year institution or for careers in today's job market.

College of the Desert Scholarship Opportunities

College of the Desert is proud to offer a small scholarship program to international students who have completed at least one semester at the college. This merit based scholarship is offered each semester and is based on grades earned at the institution, community involvement, and a personal statement.

• Agriculture
• Agriculture
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Agribusiness
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Crop Production
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Turf and Turfgrass Management
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Architecture
• Architectural Technology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Business/Commerce
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Business Administration and Management
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Office Management
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Hospitality Administration
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Resort Management
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Mass Communication/Media
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Journalism
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Information Technology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Computer Science
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Computer Graphics
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Construction trades
• Building/Construction Site Management
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering technologies
• Drafting and Design Technology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Creative Writing
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Family and consumer sciences
• Child-Care and Support Services Management
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• French
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Italian
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Dietetic Technology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services
• Criminal Justice/Police Science
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Fire Science/Firefighting
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• Biological and Physical Sciences
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Related
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Humanities
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Mechanic and repair technologies
• Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Natural Resources/Conservation
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Environmental Studies
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Environmental Science
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Parks and recreation
• Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Health and Physical Education/Fitness
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Personal and culinary services
• Culinary Arts
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Geology/Earth Science
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Physics
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Social Sciences
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Anthropology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Economics
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Geography
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Political Science and Government
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Art
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Associate Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied
• Accepted
• Acceptance Rate
• Enrolled10,193
• Female Applicants
• Females Accepted
• Female Acceptance Rate
• Male Applicants
• Males Accepted
• Male Acceptance Rate
• Applying
• Application Fee$
• Required for All
• Required for Some
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen Yes
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Yes
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$1,008
• Out-of-state tuition *$5,852
• In-district tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$446.00
• Room and board *$4,347.00
• Room only *Not Reported
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionNot Reported

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students10,193
• Male Student PercentageNot Reported
• Female Student PercentageNot Reported
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/LatinoNot Reported
• Black or African AmericanNot Reported
• White or CaucasianNot Reported
• American Indian or Alaska NativeNot Reported
• AsianNot Reported
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific IslanderNot Reported
• Two or more racesNot Reported
• UnknownNot Reported
• Other Student Statistics
• International BreakoutNot Reported
• Out-of-state Students% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements Not Reported
• Housing options Not Reported
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing Not Reported
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station No
• Student-run television station No
• Marching band No
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities No
• Greek sororities No
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations Not Reported
• Most popular organizations Not Reported
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Not Reported
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Not Reported
• Other Not Reported

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No Division X No
• Basketball No Division X No
• Cross-country running No Division X No
• Fencing No Division X No
• Football No Division X No
• Golf No Division X No
• Soccer No Division X No
• Softball No No No
• Tennis No Division X No
• Track No Division X No
• Volleyball No No No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball No Division X No
• Cross-country running No Division X No
• Fencing No Division X No
• Football No No No
• Golf No Division X No
• Soccer No Division X No
• Softball No Division X No
• Tennis No Division X No
• Track No Division X No
• Volleyball No Division X No