The College offers courses designed to meet many diverse interests, educational needs, and vocational needs of its students. College programs are designed to meet particular needs and may consist of one course or a series of courses leading to a certificate, an associate degree, or providing the first two years toward a bachelor's degree.
Courses in art, literature, humanities, foreign languages, music, drama and speech provide cultural enrichment for MJC students and the community. Music instruction, for example, is offered for beginners as well as for those who already have a high level of proficiency, and performances by such groups as the Collegiate Choir and Jazz Ensemble are examples of the cultural events offered to the community. All students are encouraged to participate in college community activities such as student government, athletics, debates, art shows, music programs, journalism, and tutoring.
Public service instruction is provided in administration of justice, allied health, criminology, and fire science. Those who wish to broaden their horizons and to become more aware of themselves and the world about them, will be drawn to offerings in health education, consumer education, psychology, child development, sociology, speech, conservation, valley plant life, science today, art appreciation, and physical activities. Agricultural offerings include technician training courses as well as courses designed for persons anticipating employment or already employed in the field of agriculture. An advisory committee also serves the community services program.
Business courses which meet occupational requirements of the community are offered in office administration, clerical training, accounting, computer science, computer graphics applications (desktop publishing and microcomputer graphics), and business operations. Certificate programs are available in several areas.
Vocational programs prepare students for entry employment in such fields as law enforcement, animal husbandry, crop production, agricultural mechanics, office administration, computer science, computer graphics applications (desktop publishing and microcomputer graphics), printing, automotive technology, electronics, nursing, machine shop, vocational accounting, human services, engineering technology, dental assisting, and broadcasting. Advisory committees serve the college in the development of vocational programs by helping to determine the need for and the content of occupationally-oriented courses. Industrial technology programs are available in apprenticeship and technical fields. Courses are geared to the needs of industry and are modified as community needs change.
Other courses are designed to assist the individual in skills development. These include, among others, reading improvement, effective study skills, listening improvement, career awareness, job employment skills, introduction to mathematics, and pre-algebra. English-as-a-Second-Language is offered for non-native speakers of English who desire to learn English or to improve their proficiency.
To learn more about specific academic programs, click here to select from a number of downloadable program brochures.
Each year hundreds of MJC students transfer to four-year colleges and universities to continue their education toward Bachelor's degrees. Modesto Junior College has earned a fine reputation statewide for its lower division preparation. Students who properly plan courses of study in their major and general education requirements are able to continue into their junior year in most majors with no loss of time or credit.
