Oregon Coast students are of all ages, from recent high school graduates to retirees. Students attend Oregon Coast for a variety of reasons: to update employment skills, to obtain an associate degree, to prepare for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program, to gain or refresh basic academic skills, or pursue personal cultural enrichment. Some attend credit classes full-time or part time, while others take one or several non-credit classes. Many students combine school and work. As many as 2,000 students attend the College every year.

Who Are Oregon Coast Faculty?

Oregon Coast has over 40 credit faculty members. Faculty who teach credit courses have master’s degrees and many have doctorates. Faculty teaching professional/technical courses have solid knowledge of their fields through a combination of education and career experiences. Many faculty work in career areas directly related to the courses they teach.

What Does Oregon Coast Offer?

Oregon Coast Community College’s full offerings can be viewed in our catalog, here: OCCC Catalog.

Transfer/Lower Division Education

Courses and programs paralleling freshman and sophomore course work at colleges and universities for those who seek a baccalaureate degree.

• • The Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) and the Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree are designed for students who plan to transfer to a four year college or university. Many students taking professional/ technical courses also enroll in transfer courses. High school students with appropriate preparation can earn college credit and get a head-start on college. Students who plan to transfer should consult the four year institution where they plan to transfer for specific transfer requirements.
  • The Associate of Science Oregon Transfer in Business (ASOT-BUS) degree provides students a degree with the option for transfer to baccalaureate programs in business. This degree enables students to register as juniors at Oregon’s public universities. However, completing this degree does not guarantee admission to any baccalaureate business program.
  • The Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer in Elementary Education (AAOT-ELEMED) degree provides students a degree with the option for transfer to baccalaureate programs in education. This degree enables students to register as juniors at Oregon’s public universities. However, completing this degree does not guarantee admission to any baccalaureate business program.
  • The Associate of Science Transfer in Computer Science (AST-CS) degree provides students a degree with the option for transfer to baccalaureate programs in computer science. This degree enables students to register as juniors at Oregon’s public universities. However, completing this degree does not guarantee admission to any baccalaureate business program.

Professional / Technical Education

Associate degree and certificate programs for those who seek employment in business, industry, or in government service as technicians or skilled workers.

• • Associate of Applied Science and Certificate programs in Aquarium Science.
  • Our Nursing and Allied Health department provide programs in Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
  • We offer two option for Accounting: an AAS and a Less-Than-One-Year Certificate.
  • In 2020, OCCC began offering courses in Welding; The program is delivered at the College’s welding laboratory at the Port of Toledo, which was upgraded and expanded in 2024. The program also delivers instruction to high school students at the College’s lab inside Taft High School in Lincoln City. 

General Studies

• • The Associate of General Studies is a combination of professional/technical and transfer credit courses with a core of general education. This degree works well for non-transfer students desiring an associate degree.

Distance Education

• • Distance Education opportunities allow students to take a variety of courses via the internet. We offer both fully online courses, with no scheduled meeting times, as well as courses delivered through live streaming via Zoom. You can learn more about the various modalities we offer on the Course Schedule webpage.

Lifelong Learning

• • Lifelong learning is encouraged. Credit and non-credit classes are offered to improve academic knowledge and vocational skills, to train for new employment, or pursue personal enrichment. Courses are also available to help improve writing and mathematics skills and broaden knowledge of communications, arts and letters, sciences, and social sciences. (See “Community Education” and “Small Business Development Center” sections, below.)

Basic Skills

• • Basic Skills courses are for students who want to gain basic reading, writing, mathematics, study and life skills, earn a GED, or learn English. Courses are offered at a variety of times and locations, as well as both in-person and online through live streaming via Zoom.

Continuing and Community Education

• • Community Education offers students learning opportunities in a variety of non-credit courses, at times and places convenient to adult students.

Small Business Development

• • Our SBDC program provides services to help emerging small businesses succeed and existing businesses to thrive in Lincoln County.

Accreditation Status of OCCC Programs and Services

Oregon Coast Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. Learn more about our accreditation here: Accreditation Status of OCCC Programs and Services.

Facilities

The College delivers services at its Central County Campus in Newport, and at centers in Lincoln City, Waldport, and Toledo. See this page to learn more.