About ACC

Message from the President

Our Mission – Your Success

Welcome to Arapahoe Community College and congratulations on selecting ACC to pursue your educational goals. For more than 50 years, ACC has helped students just like you achieve personal and professional aspirations. We look forward to being a part of your journey toward success!

At ACC, we are proud to offer a wide variety of innovative opportunities, including more than 100 degree and certificate programs. Whether you attend ACC to pursue a new career, upgrade your skills or plan to transfer to a four-year institution, our educational offerings and services are the first steps to providing you the skills and knowledge you need to achieve your goals. With nationally recognized faculty, small class sizes and cutting-edge technology, we are confident the education you receive at ACC is among the best you will find in Colorado.

ACC is the communities’ college. That’s why in addition to traditional college programs we offer many opportunities for lifelong learners, including continuing education for practicing professionals, customized training for industry needs, programs for seniors, and fundamental programs to help students prepare for college coursework. With convenient course times and campuses in Littleton, Parker and Castle Rock, you’re sure to find classes that will best fit your schedule and lifestyle.

In this catalog is everything you need to get started at ACC.

I am pleased to welcome you to the ACC family and wish you every success. We’re glad you’re here!

With warmest regards,

Diana M. Doyle, Ph.D.
President

The History of Arapahoe Community College

1964 - A group of Littleton residents research the need for a junior college and present their findings to local school districts. With help from community and business leaders, school officials and citizens, Littleton residents vote to establish a college.

1965 - Arapahoe Junior College is founded on May 4, 1965.

1966 - Arapahoe Junior College opens and welcomes its first 550 students.

1970 - The College joins the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System and is renamed Arapahoe Community College (ACC).

1970 - The College becomes accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

1974 - The Main Building on the Littleton campus is completed.

1977 - An Annex to the Main Building is added.

1979 - The Colorado Gallery of the Arts opens.

1989 - The College acquires and opens the West Alamo Center in downtown Littleton near the main campus; the acquisition is renamed the ACC Art and Design Center.

2000 - ACC expands into Douglas County with the opening of the University Center at Chaparral (UCC) in Parker.

2001 - ACC completes a $13 million renovation of the Main Building on the Littleton Campus to house the Weber Center for Learning Resources (the library) and additional classrooms.

2006 - The College’s reaffirmation of accreditation is received by The Higher Learning Commission

2011 - The University Center at Chaparral (UCC) is renamed the Arapahoe Community College Parker Campus.

2011 - The College expands again with the opening of the Arapahoe Community College Castle Rock Campus. The new campus offers credit and noncredit classes plus Workforce Training programs and facility rentals.

2017 - The College’s reaffirmation of accreditation is received by The Higher Learning Commission

Our Door is Always Open

Arapahoe Community College is an open-door admissions institution. If you have a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) certificate, or are not in high school and 17 years of age or older, you may be admitted. Please remember that admission does not guarantee enrollment in any specific programs and courses. You may be required to meet prerequisites designed to help you successfully complete a course of study. Admission may be denied in accordance with the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Board Policy BP 4-10.

Vision Statement

To be the leader in Community College education in the State of Colorado.

Mission Statement

To provide innovative and responsive educational and economic opportunities in an accessible, inclusive environment that promotes success for students, employees and the community.

Values Statement

Life-Long Learning — We uphold the highest academic standards and support the growth and success of each individual.

Integrity — We encourage the free exchange of ideas in an open environment that embraces honesty, respect and personal responsibility.

Community — We foster trusting relationships and respectful communication through collaboration with our students, employees and community partners.

Inclusion — We honor an open dialogue in a safe environment that respects and embraces individual differences.

Learning Outcomes for Student Enrichment and Process Improvement

Preparing learners for life success is an important commitment at Arapahoe Community College. These learning outcomes address the knowledge, skills and values that are fundamental to the personal and professional growth of our students, employees and community.

Communication — Construct, deliver, and engage in effective, knowledgeable communication for a variety of audiences and purposes.

Information Management — Identify, retrieve and synthesize information in order to think critically, reason creatively and make informed judgments.

Personal Development — Identify and continually develop one’s aptitudes and abilities in pursuit of goals.

Responsibility and Accountability — Employ personal and social accountability, recognize ethical issues, practice ethical behavior, and balance personal freedom with the interest of the community.

Quantitative Reasoning — Retrieve, interpret and evaluate information and numerical concepts to determine trends, make predictions, and develop informed opinions.

Cultural Awareness — Identify, distinguish, or express a diversity of aesthetic, cultural, and historical perspectives.

Diversity Statement

We respect, understand, and embrace the differences and similarities among our students, staff, faculty and the community we proudly serve. As a community, ACC encourages the richness of diversity and values the dignity of all persons. We strive to foster an equal and positive learning environment that reflects the diverse nature of the people of Colorado and the nation.

August 22, 2012

Accreditation

Institutional Accreditation

Arapahoe Community College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Commission can be reached at 312.263.0456. Web address: www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.

ACC Program Accreditations

The following programs hold accreditation and / or approval as listed:

• Automotive Service Technology, National Automotive Technician Education Foundation Inc. (NATEF)
• Certified Nursing Assistant, Colorado State Board of Nursing
• Early Childhood Education, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• Emergency Medical Technician, Colorado State Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services Division
• Health Information Technology, American Health Information Management Association
• Interior Design, National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)
• Law Enforcement Academy, Colorado P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standard and Training Board)
• Paralegal, American Bar Association
• Medical Laboratory Technology, National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Mortuary Science, American Board of Funeral Service Education
• Nursing (Registered), The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. and The Colorado State Board of Nursing
• Pharmacy Technician, American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP)
• Physical Therapist Assistant, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education

Addresses and phone numbers for these accrediting agencies are listed within the description of each specific degree or certificate.

Academic Calendar 2017-2018

Maymester courses that meet on Monday will have to schedule extra time during the term due to the Memorial Day holiday.

Summer Classes that meet on Monday will have to schedule extra time during the term due to the July 4 holiday.

Classes that meet on Saturday will have to schedule extra time during the term due to the Labor Day holiday.