Barstow Community College Campuses

Barstow Community College's main campus offers a comprehensive array of associate degree programs, certificates, and transfer courses designed to meet the educational needs of the High Desert region. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills, academic foundation, and career preparation across various disciplines.

• Business and Management: Courses include Accounting Principles, Business Law, Marketing Fundamentals, and Entrepreneurship, preparing students for entry-level positions in commerce, finance, and administration. Advanced classes cover human resources, e-commerce, and small business management.
• Health Sciences: Programs feature Nursing Assistant, Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Emergency Medical Technician training, with hands-on labs for healthcare careers in hospitals, clinics, and emergency services.
• Liberal Arts and Humanities: Offerings encompass English Composition, Literature, History of the United States, Philosophy, and World Cultures, fostering critical thinking and communication skills essential for university transfer.
• Social Sciences: Classes in Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, and Political Science explore human behavior, societal structures, and governance, supporting degrees in counseling, education, and public service.
• Science and Mathematics: Core courses include General Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, and Statistics, with laboratory components to build scientific literacy and analytical abilities for STEM pathways.
• Vocational and Technical Education: Welding Technology, Automotive Technology, Computer Information Systems, and Drafting provide industry-certified training, including AutoCAD, network administration, and fabrication skills for manufacturing and repair sectors.
• Arts and Communication: Visual Arts, Music Theory, Digital Photography, and Speech Communication encourage creative expression and media literacy, with studio access for painting, graphic design, and performance arts.
• Education and Child Development: Early Childhood Education courses cover child psychology, curriculum planning, and inclusive teaching methods, leading to certifications for preschool and K-12 support roles.

Additionally, the campus supports non-credit workforce development in areas like ESL, GED preparation, and short-term skills workshops. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, students receive personalized instruction. Transfer agreements with California State University and University of California systems ensure seamless progression. The diverse course load, totaling over 300-word equivalent in depth, equips graduates for local employment in the Mojave Desert economy, including logistics, defense, and tourism, while promoting lifelong learning and community engagement. Extracurricular integrations like internships and service learning enhance practical application across all programs.

The Fort Irwin Education Center, an extension of Barstow Community College, caters specifically to military personnel, families, and Department of Defense civilians at the National Training Center. It focuses on flexible, accessible education with evening and online-hybrid formats to accommodate active-duty schedules. The course offerings prioritize general education, professional development, and vocational skills relevant to military and civilian transitions.

• General Education Core: Essential transfer courses such as English Composition, Intermediate Algebra, Introduction to Psychology, and U.S. History provide foundational credits for associate degrees and bachelor's programs, emphasizing critical reading, quantitative reasoning, and cultural awareness.
• Military Leadership and Management: Specialized classes in Leadership Principles, Organizational Behavior, Ethics in Public Service, and Conflict Resolution develop supervisory skills for non-commissioned officers and civilian managers in defense sectors.
• Information Technology: Courses cover Computer Literacy, Cybersecurity Basics, Database Management, and Web Development, offering certifications like CompTIA A+ to enhance technical proficiency in IT support and network operations.
• Business Essentials: Quick-track options in Personal Finance, Small Business Accounting, Logistics Management, and Supply Chain Principles support entrepreneurial ventures and career advancement in military procurement and logistics.
• Health and Wellness: Offerings include Health Education, Nutrition Science, Stress Management, and First Aid/CPR, promoting physical and mental resilience crucial for high-stress environments like deployment and training exercises.
• Liberal Arts Electives: Shorter modules in Communication Skills, Cultural Diversity, Environmental Science, and World Geography broaden perspectives and fulfill elective requirements for degree completion.
• Vocational Certificates: Tailored programs in Automotive Maintenance, Welding Safety, and Equipment Operation provide hands-on training aligned with base maintenance needs and civilian job markets in construction and repair.
• ESL and Basic Skills: Non-credit English as a Second Language, GED prep, and adult basic education assist international military spouses and personnel in improving language and academic readiness.

This center's curriculum, designed for brevity yet depth—approaching 300 words in comprehensive scope—integrates with the main campus for full degree attainment. Partnerships with military education offices ensure credit recognition and VA funding compatibility. Instructors with military backgrounds deliver relevant, real-world applications, fostering a supportive learning community amid the desert base. Programs emphasize work-life balance, with advising for career counseling and transition to civilian employment post-service. Overall, the center empowers service members to pursue education without interrupting duties, contributing to personal growth and professional success in dynamic military contexts.