Central Lakes College Campuses

Central Lakes College's Brainerd Campus serves as the primary hub for a wide array of academic programs designed to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions or direct entry into the workforce. The campus emphasizes hands-on learning and career-focused education in various fields.

• Liberal Arts and Sciences: This program offers foundational courses in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, including English composition, history, psychology, biology, and mathematics, enabling seamless transfer to bachelor's programs.
• Business Administration: Students explore accounting principles, marketing strategies, management techniques, entrepreneurship, and economics, with options for certificates in office management and small business operations.
• Health Sciences: Comprehensive training in nursing (practical and associate degrees), medical assisting, phlebotomy, and healthcare administration, featuring clinical simulations and partnerships with local hospitals for real-world experience.
• Information Technology: Courses cover computer programming in languages like Java and Python, network administration, cybersecurity fundamentals, web development, and database management, preparing graduates for IT support and development roles.
• Trades and Technical Programs: Specialized training in automotive technology, welding, carpentry, HVAC systems, and manufacturing processes, with state-of-the-art labs for practical skill-building.
• Agriculture and Natural Resources: Focus on sustainable farming practices, environmental science, forestry management, and animal science, including fieldwork in crop production and wildlife conservation.
• Early Childhood Education: Preparation for working with young children through child development theories, curriculum planning, and inclusive education strategies, leading to paraprofessional certifications.
• Criminal Justice: Studies in law enforcement procedures, corrections, forensics, and community policing, with opportunities for internships at local agencies.

Additionally, the campus offers continuing education workshops, online courses, and customized training for businesses. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, students receive personalized support. The curriculum integrates general education requirements with electives, ensuring a well-rounded education. Extracurricular activities like clubs and sports enhance the learning experience. Overall, the Brainerd Campus fosters innovation and adaptability, equipping students with skills for a dynamic job market. Programs are regularly updated to align with industry standards, and transfer agreements with Minnesota universities facilitate smooth progression. This comprehensive approach ensures graduates are competitive and ready for success in their chosen fields.

The Staples Campus of Central Lakes College focuses on accessible, community-oriented education with an emphasis on workforce development and practical skills training tailored to rural and regional needs. This smaller campus provides flexible scheduling and personalized instruction to support local learners.

• Practical Nursing: A focused program delivering essential skills in patient care, pharmacology, anatomy, and clinical procedures, culminating in licensure preparation for entry-level nursing positions in clinics and long-term care facilities.
• Medical Assisting: Training in administrative and clinical duties, including vital signs measurement, medical terminology, office procedures, and electronic health records management, with hands-on practice in simulated medical environments.
• Business and Office Technology: Courses in administrative assistant skills, Microsoft Office Suite proficiency, bookkeeping basics, customer service, and professional communication, designed for quick entry into administrative roles.
• Information Technology Support: Introduction to computer hardware repair, software troubleshooting, help desk operations, and basic networking, providing certifications like CompTIA A+ for immediate employment in tech support.
• Welding Technology: Hands-on instruction in MIG, TIG, and stick welding techniques, blueprint reading, metal fabrication, and safety protocols, leading to certifications for careers in manufacturing and construction.
• Truck Driving and Transportation: Commercial driver's license (CDL) training, including classroom theory on regulations, vehicle operation, and defensive driving, with on-road practice for local and long-haul trucking jobs.
• Early Childhood and Paraprofessional Education: Preparation for roles in daycare and school settings through child psychology, lesson planning, behavior management, and inclusive practices, with field experiences in community programs.
• Customized Workforce Training: Tailored short-term courses in areas like leadership development, safety compliance (OSHA), and industry-specific skills such as agriculture equipment operation or renewable energy basics, often in partnership with local employers.

The Staples Campus prioritizes affordability and convenience, offering evening and weekend classes alongside hybrid formats. Faculty bring real-world expertise, and the facility includes modern labs for skill acquisition. Community partnerships enhance opportunities for apprenticeships and job placement. While smaller in scale, the programs align with the Brainerd Campus curriculum for credit transferability. Students benefit from advising services and career counseling to navigate educational and professional goals. This campus plays a vital role in economic development by addressing skill gaps in agriculture, healthcare, and trades. Continuous program evaluation ensures relevance to emerging job trends, such as green technologies and telehealth. Graduates contribute to the vitality of central Minnesota's workforce, embodying the college's commitment to lifelong learning and regional prosperity.