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Exploration Pathways

Choose your Path

Exploration pathways group programs into broad themes allowing you to browse all programs that align with your specific area of interest. Choose a pathway to get started.

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Business & Marketing

Do you find yourself drawn to the world of business? In this pathway, you will be exposed to the managerial, analytical, social, and personal skills and theories necessary for success in today’s economy.

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Accounting

Accounting is much more than tax season consulting. We'll prepare you to evaluate business models, manage companies, and even take on executive roles. Accounting will always be in demand.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Learn skills for effective communication techniques, successful management styles, strategy formulation, and many other real-world business practices.

Culinary Arts

This fast-paced six-month intensive program follows a curriculum designed to build on itself. Culinary techniques learned in each course are repeated throughout the program to enforce the mastery required to be a successful professional fine-dining chef.

Digital Design Graphics Technology

Dedicated to promoting a stimulating environment and providing a challenging learning experience for students who will design the future.

Economics

Principles of macroeconomics, microeconomics, and economic history of the U.S. Economic vocabulary, economic theories, the basis of economic growth, and the role of government in our economic lives.

Hospitality Management

Designed to expose students to the fundamentals of the hospitality industry; the second largest employer in the Napa Valley region. Students will receive in-depth training in the skills necessary to be successful in a leadership role in the service industry.

Viticulture and Winery Technology

Courses prepare students for entry-level positions and help current industry employees to advance in their careers. Based on a core of viticulture and wine-making classes, the program offers a variety of options for careers in the industry.

 
 
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Health & Human Services

Are you interested in helping people? This pathway will foster your desire to educate, support, protect, heal, and understand the people of your local and global worlds.

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Addiction Studies

Designed for students pursuing employment as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor in the State of California. AOD Counselors provide treatment for substance abuse and dependency.

Child & Family Studies & Education

Prepares students to work as teachers with young children. Also serves as a beginning for students planning to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Criminal Justice Education and Training

A multi-disciplinary program that seeks to educate students on the many aspects of justice administration—from the human, social and moral problems to the larger scope of justice systems.

Emergency Medical Technician

Training to care for patients at the scene of an accident and during transportation of these patients by ambulance to the hospital under medical direction.

Kinesiology

The study of human movement, designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year level college and advanced study in a number of exercise and movement related fields.

LGBT Education Program

Prepares students pursuing careers in fields that serve LGBTQ populations including child development, education, criminal justice, human services, health occupations, business and hospitality.

Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN)

The Vocational Nursing program is designed to prepare qualified participants to practice Vocational Nursing.

Registered Nursing (ADN)

The Associate Degree Program in Nursing is a four-semester program designed to prepare qualified participants to practice nursing in entry-level positions.

Psychiatric Technician

A three-semester patient-centered course operated in cooperation with hospitals and healthcare agencies. A certificate is granted after completion.

Psychology

Rooted in both philosophy and science, psychology is the empirical study of behavior, emotion and mental processes. Provides a level of education and training that helps students succeed in a variety of careers and other graduate opportunities.

Respiratory Care

Prepares graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Human Services

Students gain knowledge in human service delivery systems; communication skills for working with individuals, group work and diverse populations, including case management techniques and field experience in human service agencies.

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People, Culture & Society

Are you excited to learn about and understand people? Through this pathway, you will gain a global perspective, and engage with the behaviors, languages, histories, politics, economics, social dynamics, and cultural interactions that organize and identify the people around the world.

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Administration of Justice

A multi-disciplinary program that seeks to educate students on the many aspects of justice administration—from the human, social and moral problems to the larger scope of justice systems.

Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humans, specifically human behavior, biology, cultures, and societies.

Art History

Art History at Napa Valley College provides students a range of courses, covering earliest image-making to contemporary art practice, photography to graphic design.

Child & Family Studies & Education

Prepares students to work as teachers with young children. Also serves as a beginning for students planning to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Communication Studies

Communication Studies examines the creation, delivery, and receipt of messages in a range of settings, from private conversations to mass media to the workplace, where effective communication skills are prized.

Economics

Economics is the study of how people produce, distribute, and consume goods and services. Intertwined with politics, sociology, psychology, and history, economics studies how individuals and societies prioritize allocation of resources to build wealth.

English

If you appreciate the power of language to inform, describe, persuade, and entertain, studying English is an opportunity to deepen understanding – and even harness that power yourself. In the process, English students develop valuable skills for the workplace and study in any field.

Ethnic Studies

Equip students with the tools to critically examine the interplay between artistic, philosophical, historical, political, religious, and cultural issues as factors influencing humanity and the spectrum of human expression.

English as a Second Language

Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Communication courses for credit and non-credit students.

History

Learning about the past is among the oldest and most rewarding of human endeavors. Studying history can develop one’s capacity for informed citizenship, critical thinking, and awareness of the forces that shape the lives of individuals and societies.

Modern Languages

Spanish | French | Italian | Japanese | American Sign Language

LGBT Education Program

Prepares students pursuing careers in fields that serve LGBTQ populations including child development, education, criminal justice, human services, health occupations, business and hospitality.

Political Science

A solid foundation in the theories, practices, and institutions of politics – not only those of the United States, but of other countries – will help you become an astute political observer and informed political actor.

Psychology

Rooted in both philosophy and science, psychology is the empirical study of behavior, emotion, and mental processes. Studying psychology provides a level of education and training that helps students succeed in a variety of careers and other graduate opportunities.

Sociology

Provides students with a foundation of knowledge in the field sociology prepares them for transfer for further study towards a baccalaureate degree in sociology or related field. Develop knowledge and skills which enable them to understand, evaluate, and apply social science research and theories.

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Science & Industrial Technology

Do you enjoy building things, experimenting, and solving problems? It is through this pathway that you will discover your passion in the biological, chemical, mechanical, technical, and analytical worlds of nature, society, and beyond.

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Biology

The Biology Department offers courses for transfer students in biology, prerequisite courses for pre-health science students, and general education courses in life sciences.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of matter – its composition, properties, and potential transformations. Drawing from physics and mathematics, chemistry is considered “the central science” and is the foundation for life sciences, engineering, and medicine.

Computer Science

Explore all aspects of computer and Internet systems. Computer Studies is the study of problem-solving. Troubleshooting and attacking complex problems is enjoyable and our students feel accomplishment daily.

Digital Design Graphics Technology

Dedicated to promoting a stimulating environment and providing a challenging learning experience for students who will design the future.

Earth Science

Earth Science includes all the dynamic processes that shape life on Earth – from geology to pollution, from food webs to tectonic plates. Earth Science is the foundation for an understanding of climate change as well as humanity’s response to it.

Engineering

The Engineering Department offers courses for transfer students and general education courses in Engineering. The department faculty are dedicated to providing excellent instruction and academic support to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Environmental Science

If you want to save the planet, you need the right tools. Environmental science provides the foundation for conservation, environmental law, renewable energy, sustainable business innovation, and other initiatives to combat climate change.

Geography

Geography helps us understand the meaning of a place. Forming a unique bridge between the social and natural sciences, geography includes study of cultures, political systems, economies, landscapes and environments.

Geology

Geology is the study of the minerals, mountains, and natural resources that make up our planet. By understanding Earth’s history, Geologists can foresee how events and processes of the past might influence the future.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

GIS is a powerful tool that allows you to analyze, visualize, and interpret complex environmental data spatially.

Kinesiology

The study of human movement, designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year level college and advanced study in a number of exercise and movement related fields.

Machine Tool Technology

Machine tool operators make and repair the objects of everyday life – from auto parts to winemaking equipment. Career opportunities are plentiful and well-paid, and they don’t require a four-year degree.

Mathematics

Math is more than a numbers game. Studying math builds analytical and problem-solving skills, and is increasingly important for a variety of careers in today’s data-driven workplace.

Physics

The Physics Department offers courses for transfer students in physics, prerequisite courses for engineering students, and general education courses in physical and life sciences.

Viticulture and Winery Technology

Courses prepare students for entry-level positions and help current industry employees to advance in their careers. Based on a core of viticulture and wine-making classes, the program offers a variety of options for careers in the industry.

Welding Technology

If you like to work precisely with tools and equipment, you can become a skilled welder, earning a good living in an essential industry. Welders cut and join pieces of metal, making a permanent bond with a torch or electric arc.

 
 
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Visual, Design & Performing Arts

If you are creative and enjoy expressing yourself through visual art, design, dance, music, or theatre, the Visual, Design & Performing Arts pathway may be the right choice for you.

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Art History

Art History at Napa Valley College provides students a range of courses, covering earliest image-making to contemporary art practice, photography to graphic design.

Dance

From Jazz, Hip Hop, and Ballet, to Modern Dance, Tap, Beginning Cardio, Salsa and Latin Dance. Other areas include dance production and choreography.

Digital Art & Design

Combine problem-solving skills, planning and analysis with solid computer skills and traditional art making to create successful, clear visual communication.

Film Studies

Film Studies provides unique experiences of a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world through a study of film, television and media.

Music

A comprehensive foundation in music as well as two areas of emphasis; vocal and instrumental music. Basic foundation in music fundamentals, theory and history.

Photography

Basic aesthetic principles as well as a range of photographic techniques needed for college transfer, entry into the workplace, or for artistic expression.

Studio Arts

Focusing on creating an environment in which critical thinking, problem solving, expression and the development of visual literacy can thrive.

Theater Arts

Create high quality theater experiences on stage and in the classroom. Learn from professional artists in a way that inspires their passion for the artistic process.

 
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Wine & Food

Want to be a part of the Napa Valley-Bay Area renowned food and wine scene? Build extensive skills through successive certificate and degree options. This pathway opens opportunities to enhance your career and create memorable experiences for you and those that visit from around the world.

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Culinary Arts

This fast-paced six-month intensive program follows a curriculum designed to build on itself. Culinary techniques learned in each course are repeated throughout the program to enforce the mastery required to be a successful professional fine-dining chef.

Hospitality Management

Designed to expose students to the fundamentals of the hospitality industry; the second largest employer in the Napa Valley region. Students will receive in-depth training in the skills necessary to be successful in a leadership role in the service industry.

Viticulture and Winery Technology

Courses prepare students for entry-level positions and help current industry employees to advance in their careers. Based on a core of viticulture and wine-making classes, the program offers a variety of options for careers in the industry.

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