Central Arizona College (CAC) was established in 1969. It is located in Coolidge, Arizona, a small town established back in 1925 by Richard James Jones. Currently Coolidge, Arizona has a population of about 9,000 residents and is located in Pinal County. Central Arizona College has nine separate campuses and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a considered a public institution offering the majority of its degree programs on a two-year college level.
Central Arizona College
Academics
Central Arizona College offers over 100 programs of study, awarding a diverse mix of certificates and degrees. The four associate degrees offered at Central Arizona include an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Business. The Associate of Arts in Elementary Education transfers to three Arizona public universities Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona.
Each associate degree requires 60-64 credits to complete. These credit requirements cover Arizona’s general education curriculum, common courses, special requirements and electives. CAC also offers programs that are on “transfer pathways.” A transfer pathway allows students to complete a training program and possibly receive certification. CAC offers 17 divisions of study including business, communications, fire science and emergency technology, and a sports and fitness division.
CAC offers an honors program to incoming freshmen transfers and current students. To be admitted, students are required to possess a 3.2 GPA, be eligible to take college level English without taking remedial courses and maintain a 3.0 in all honor courses. Being in the honors program offers students the opportunity for personal attention due to smaller class sizes and more individualized instruction.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Central Arizona College.
Central Arizona is keen on community outreach programs. The college offers a business program that is catered to growing businesses in the community. The school offers training for workers and weekend college classes. CAC also offers GED classes.
The Skills Center at CAC partners with the Arizona Workforce Connection as a one-stop center for Pinal and Gila counties. CAC also provides short-term training for students in need of employment.
CAC houses a Small Business Development Center (SBDC). This center provides prospective small business owners with assistance in building their new enterprises through consulting and training services at little to no cost. CAC will assist in developing a business plan, analyzing marketing for your service and products and helping with any other technical services. CAC also does one on one counseling to aspiring business owners. Counselors who have started and have successful businesses give practical real life experience to clients hoping to start a business. All these services are no cost to the business.
CAC also offers to the community a child development center. This center offers full day and part day childcare for children 3-5 years old. As a community college, Central Arizona fulfills both the needs of its student body and the community by providing access to educational opportunities and outreach that inspires intellectual growth and positive change.
Central Arizona College
Admissions
CAC has an open door policy. Incoming high school graduates must show proof of high school completion or have earned a GED. Transfer students must submit transcripts from the all previous institutions.
International students must submit a student information form, passing TOEFL scores of 450/133, have a completed financial statement, official transcripts, and a letter from a bank verifying funds for financial support.
The Early College Program allows high school students to get an early start on their college education. Students are able to enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. To participate in this program students must be enrolled in at least 4 high school classes. Other requirements for this program include that students must be Pinal County residents, have at least completed their sophomore year and must receive permission from high school guidance counselors. Student must maintain a 2.5 GPA, enroll and complete CPD101, and meet every semester with an advisor and attend all early college meetings.
The First Step Program allows students to take college courses during the summer sessions. All courses last about 5-8 weeks. Students wanting to enter the First Step Program must be finished with their sophomore year in college. Students that want to enter this program must complete the first step form that requires their parents’ and counselor’s signatures; they must also take college testing, meet with an advisor and attend orientation.
Dual enrollment allows students to earn college credit while in high school. Dual enrollment classes are offered at the local high schools. To apply for this program students must take the college Compass test and have the required academic prerequisites. Unlike the other two programs mentioned above dual enrollment students must pay tuition.
Financial Aid
All students who would like to be considered for financial aid, must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid known as the FAFSA. Using your tax return forms or those of your parents, you will fill out a series of questions in worksheet form all available online concerning your or your parents’ income among other factors. After you submit your FAFSA, the information will be sent to the school of your choice. The federal government will report to the school what federal aid, if any, you are eligible for. Your options for federal aid will possibly include a mixture of grants, loans, and work study.
You should inquire with the financial aid office about institutional loans or scholarships. Sometimes colleges receive funds from grants or other forms of aid, which can then be allocated to students in the form of scholarships. There are also private lending companies, such as credit unions and banks.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Central Arizona College 3939th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Arizona scholarships and financial aid
If there’s one thing that you will learn in collge, it’s that learning can take place anywhere. This does not exclude the endless amount of choices you will have as a student in terms of selecting which events to participate in, which clubs to belong to, and which activities appeal to you. Despite its junior college standing, Central does not disappoint its students who want to experience all the extracurricular activities that the college has to offer. CAC has a variety of clubs that students can enjoy such as the Funny Biz Club. This club is a theatre and “improv” club mixture. If you were to joing this group, you would have the opportunity to showcase your talents and expertise across campus.
The Campus Crusade for Christ Club is a club focused on seeking God. Meetings and events are held around campus to bring awareness of Christian beliefs and to fellowship with other students. The Art Club is comprised of art students. What is truly interesting about this club is the annual fundraiser “Empty Bowl” in which the club makes ceramic bowls and culinary students make a soup and bread meal, which is sold to students on campus. The proceeds go to local food banks.
In terms of other student activities, Central Arizona College also offers intramural sports on its Signal Peak campus. There are many helpful resources for students to enrich and facilitate their transition to college life and the challenging academic standards that come with it. The tutoring center offers peer tutoring that helps students in math and writing. The Student Success Program also offers several helpful resources to ensure college success. The Summer Bridge Program gives incoming freshmen a taste of college life through on campus living visits, a peer mentor and academic counseling. The peer mentoring program is when second year students help first year students transition, and the first year experience is an extension of the Summer Bridge Program in which students continually receive mentoring and help throughout their first college year. Incoming students are eligible for these programs if they are the first generation college students, students with financial need, or students with documented special needs.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Central Arizona College?
Central Arizona College is associated with three different athletic organizations, the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association/Rocky Mountain Division. Sports offered are men’s and women’s cross country, track and filed, basketball and rodeo. There is also men’s baseball and women’s softball.
Central Arizona College
Additional School Information
The Signal Peak campus is the only Central Arizona College campus to house students. Residential housing at Signal Peak holds about 400 students. Students have two living options: Living Learning Communities in which students are paired with students of similar interests such as academics goals and wellness concerns (i.e. non-smokers, non-alcoholic users) or general housing. All rooms come fully furnished and are double occupancy. Suite and quad rooms are available, but all rooms are joined by Jack and Jill bathrooms. Students seeking to experience dormitory life on a less intense scale as that found on larger university campuses, may consider what Central Arizona College has to offer in terms of dormitory living.
Bibliography
Central Arizona College. Web. 19 April 2011.
Coolidge Arizona. Web. 17 April 2011. <http://www.coolidgeaz.com/>
Gemaehlich, Allen. Grand Junction Sentinel. “Central Arizona remains atop JUCO poll.” Web. 18 May 2011. <http://www.gjsentinel.com/breaking/articles/central-arizona-remains-atop-juco-poll/>
Campus Crime Statistics
Ranks 3rd in Arizona and
243rd overall
on StateUniversity.com‘s Safe School Index
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Coolidge, AZ 85128-9030
p. 520-494-5444
w. www.centralaz.edu