Glendale Community College (GCC) is a two-year community college with two campuses in the West Valley community of Glendale, Arizona. The GCC Main Campus in central Glendale is situated on a 147-acre campus that has palm-lined walkways and many open spaces with landscaped courtyards. The GCC North Site in north Glendale is situated on a beautiful 75-acre campus in the desert at the base of Ludden Mountain.
Glendale Community College is one of ten community colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District that serves the Phoenix, Arizona area. The other colleges and skill centers in this district are in the following locations: Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, and South Mountain.
Glendale Community College offers an excellent faculty teaching more than 1,000 different courses that lead to 50 associate's degrees, and 50 vocational certificates. There are also many transfer degrees and credits available for those students who wish to transfer from GCC to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. Many students at GCC take advantage of courses that allow them to expand their job skills, industrial training or pursue personal interests and enrichment. Both online and onsite learning are available.
Through a unique partnership with Northern Arizona University (NAU), GCC is now able to offer several bachelor's degree programs through its main campus.
History
Glendale Community College was founded in 1965 as one college within the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). The first classes for GCC were held in two different temporary locations. By 1966, construction was completed at the main campus and classes shifted there. Plans are in place for additional construction of buildings and facilities to meet demand.
In 2000, GCC North opened to serve additional communities in the area, offering a range of courses, programs and degrees. There are plans in place for expansion at GCC North as well, as the need arises.
Academics
The academic calendar for Glendale Community College follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer semesters.
The following degrees and certificates are available from Glendale Community College:
The Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS): for students wanting to gain a depth of technical expertise by completing an occupational program (see list below).
The Associate in Arts degree (AA): for students wanting to complete a degree in 2 years or to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The degree will transfer as a block without loss of credit to Arizona's public universities and other institutions. GCC offers a variety of Associate Degrees.
The Certificate of Completion (CCL): a certificate awarded for the completion of a specified career program.
The Academic Certificate (AC): a program of study recommended for students who wish to gain additional expertise in an academic area.
Colleges and Schools
The academic units at Glendale Community College are divided into 18 different departmental areas, and each department has multiple areas or disciplines. The departments at GCC are:
- Art
- Biology
- Business & Information Technology
- Chemistry
- Communication & World Languages
- Counseling
- English, Reading & Journalism
- Fitness & Wellness
- Library Media Center
- Mathematics & Computer Science
- Nursing
- Performing Arts
- Philosophy & Religious Studies
- Physical Sciences
- Public Safety Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Technology & Consumer Sciences
Student Life
Many services are available at GCC to support students. Some of these services are study assistance and tutoring, academic advising, career services, First Year Experience, an Honors Program, counseling, eCourses for online study, and more.
GCC also offers many opportunities for students to get involved on campus beyond the classroom. There are numerous events, athletics programs, student clubs and organizations, and student government.
Traditions
The traditional school colors for Glendale Community College are red and black, with white and gray as accent colors. The school mascot is a gaucho, and the athletic teams are nicknamed the Glendale "Gauchos."
Athletics
The Glendale "Gauchos" athletic teams compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cheer
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
Glendale Community College (GCC) has two primary campuses: GCC Main campus and the GCC North site. Courses taught by GCC faculty and staff are offered throughout the West Valley area of Glendale.
GCC also offers classes at the "Communiversity," which is a partnership between the Maricopa Community Colleges and the City of Surprise. Located near Surprise's City Hall, this site offers programs from three of the Maricopa Community Colleges and five universities.
Community Life
Glendale Community College takes a lot of pride in serving the surrounding community. Many volunteering and partnership programs and initiatives are in place that benefit the Glendale community.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $7,000. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- State Residents: $2,000-$2,400
- Out-of-State: $7,800-$9,360
- Charges per unit:
- In-State: $84-$100 per unit
- Out-of-State: $330-$390 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 69% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 63% | $4,431 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 13% | $3,189 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and alumni, Glendale Community College may provide student services like:
- Online classes
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Day care
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Community colleges often times offer both career training courses and curriculum to help students transfer out to a 4-year college or university, that is why we include how Glendale Community College compares for both graduation and transfer rates against other community colleges in Maricopa County and community colleges in Arizona in total.
| Glendale Community College | Maricopa County | Arizona | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 12.2% | 14.2% | 14.1% |
| Transfer-out Rate | 31.9% | 35.6% | 27.9% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1966)
- See a list of all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Arizona
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Glendale Community College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biotechnology (A)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Commerce (A, C)
- Business Administration (A)
- Bookkeeping (A)
- Administrative Assistant (A, C)
- Data Entry Technology (C)
- Entrepreneurship (C)
- Accounting (C)
- Advertising and Marketing (A)
- Organizational Behavior Studies
- Small Business Management
- Marketing Research
Communication Technology
- Audio and Video Production (A, C)
- Prepress , Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design (C)
Communications and Journalism
- Communication and Journalism (C)
- Journalism (C)
- Public Relations
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Networking (A, C)
- Computer (A, C)
- Computer and Information Systems Security (A, C)
- Computer Systems Analyst (A)
- Web Design (C)
- Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications (A)
- Computer Support Specialist (C)
- Computer Programming, Vendor and Product Certification (C)
- System Networking
Education
- Elementary Education (A)
- Early Childhood Education (A, C)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (A)
Engineering Technology
- Engineering Technology (A)
- Cad Drafting (A, C)
English Language and Literature
- Creative Writing (C)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family and Community Services (A)
- Adult Development and Aging (C)
- Child Care
- Human Development, Family Studies
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies and Services (C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- EMT & Paramedic (A, C)
- Nursing (A)
- Nursing Assistant (C)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (C)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Natural Sciences (C)
- Behavioral Science (A, C)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A)
- General Studies (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Auto Mechanic (A, C)
Natural Resources and Conservation
Physical Sciences
- Physical Sciences (A)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Fire Science (A, C)
- Police Science (C)
- Criminal Justice (A)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Art Studies (C)
- Graphic Design (A)
- Cinematography And Film (A)
- Commercial Photography (C)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (A)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (A)
- Interior Design (C)
- Visual and Performing Arts (A)
- Music Management (A, C)
- Music Theory and Composition
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Glendale Community College.
- Phoenix College in Phoenix, AZ (8 miles away)
- Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, AZ (11 miles away)
- Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, AZ (12 miles away)
- GateWay Community College - Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ (14 miles away)
- South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ (16 miles away)