The following information gives a general overview of San Antonio’s community college education system.

Alamo Colleges

The Alamo Colleges comprise the second largest community college district in the state and the largest in south Texas. More than 50 percent of all college students in Bexar County presently attending any college are enrolled in academic or occupational/technical programs at one of the district’s five colleges: San Antonio College, St. Philip’s College, Palo Alto College, Northwest Vista College and Northeast Lakeview College. The Alamo Colleges offer 42 associate of arts degrees, 21 associate of science degrees, 111 associate of applied science degrees and 186 certificate programs. Alamo Colleges are the leading transfer institutions to four-year colleges and universities, and are also the number one provider of workforce education in the area. Alamo Colleges offer many courses through their Distance Learning programs which include the Internet, Interactive Video, and Telecourses. The courses allow students to fit college into their busy work schedules as well as the opportunity to fast-track their college education. The Alamo Colleges also offer innovative training, educational partnerships and job opportunities to high school students seeking to jump-start their futures through their Alamo Academies. Qualified students receive training in high-wage demand occupations during junior and senior years of high school and also earn college credits for participating. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu.

Advanced Technology Center

In June 2002, the Advanced Technology Center at Port San Antonio initiated training programs for new and current workers in avionics, electronics and information systems, plus secure, satellite-based videoconferencing for proprietary training. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/ewd/Advanced.asp.

San Antonio College

With a fall 2010 enrollment of 25,269 students, San Antonio College (SAC) is the largest single-campus community college in the state. SAC is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the sixth largest degree-granting online program in the U.S. among two- and four-year institutions. Associate degrees are offered through two divisions: Arts & Sciences and Professional and Technical Education. Programs of study include Applied Sciences, Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Math/Computer Science, Nursing, Journalism, Radio-TV-Film, Physics, Engineering, Architecture, Education, Visual Arts and Technology. The college offered Texas’ first associate degree by Internet and recently added programs in Music Business, Dental Lab Technology, Computer Security and a Trilingual certification (American Sign Language, Spanish and English). SAC’s Continuing Education Training Network provides instruction in courses such as Food Management, Pharmacy Technician, HAZMAT/OSHA, Teacher Certification, Real Estate, Allied Health, Law Enforcement and Computer Training for 15,000 students year-round. SAC offers day, evening and weekend courses on campus and at numerous off-campus locations. Classes are also offered online. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/sac.

Northwest Vista College

Northwest Vista College (NVC) was ranked one of the fastest growing midsize community colleges in the nation by Community College Week. Enrolling 15,921 students in the fall of 2010, NVC offers a full range of associate degree courses and has developed a focus on technology, as well as community and business partnerships. The college offers two-year associate degrees and certificates in occupational technical programs that include: Robotics, Advanced Water Treatment, Biotechnology, Braille Textbook Transcriber, Community Health, Computer Programming, Computer Systems Administration, Instructional Assistant, Multimedia Technology and Pharmacy Technology. The newest programs include Computer Forensics, Digital Gaming for Artists, and Digital Gaming for Programmers. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/nvc.

St. Philip’s College

St. Philip’s College offers day and evening programs in more than 70 areas in the Arts and Sciences, Business Technology, Health Careers, Culinary Arts, Aerospace Technology and other fields of study using state-of-the-art facilities for students in the natural and applied sciences, as well as in the fine arts department. The school is nationally recognized for developing student-centered instruction and services. Enrollment for the fall of 2010 was 10,828 students. The nation’s only community college designated both a Historically Black College and a Hispanic Serving Institution, St. Philip’s serves a diverse and growing student body. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/spc.

Southwest Campus

St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus, located in Port San Antonio (formerly Kelly Air Force Base), is a major workforce development and training center, featuring FAA-certified aircraft technician and manufacturing Engineering Technology training programs, crucial workforce areas in the region’s growing manufacturing sector. The campus also trains students in allied construction trades and diesel mechanics. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/spc/admin/swc.

Northeast Lakeview College

Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) is the newest college of the Alamo Colleges. Enrollment at NLC was 1,312 in fall 2010. Courses offered include: English, Fine/Performing Arts, Business, Kinesiology, Humanities, and Speech Communication. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/nlc.

Palo Alto College

Palo Alto College (PAC) is located in the southern sector of Bexar County and has been lauded nationally for its successful student transfer rate. In the fall of 2010 there were 8,965 students enrolled in PAC. Students have facilities and services available to them that range from a state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Lab to world-class Natatorium. The Ozuna Learning Resources Center is available to students and open to the public. Ozuna is home to the Children’s Library and the Adult Education Center. Palo Alto College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees and by the Committee on Animal Technician Activities and Training of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and the American Society of Transportation and Logistics approve its programs. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/pac.