Choosing a career path is an important decision. NCTC is dedicated to providing education to fit a wide variety of career goals. Choose from certificates, associate degrees and transfer studies to prepare you for careers that support your unique interests and ambitions.

Creative: Art, Design and Communication

Bursting with ideas and looking for a way to bring them to life? Whether on stage, in the kitchen, behind the drawing board or at a desk turn your active imagination into a career.

  • Gaming Application Programming (AAS Degree)
  • Game Design (Certificate)
  • Web Design (Certificate)

Dedicated: Education, Community and Public Service

Love working with people? Happiest when you’re making a positive contribution to the welfare of others? Consider making your career in education or community service.

  • Teaching EC-6 (AAT Degree)
  • Teaching 4-8 EC-12 Special Education (AAT Degree)
  • Teaching 8-12 EC-12 Other than Special Education (AAT Degree)
  • Criminal Justice (AA Degree)
  • Criminal Justice (AAS Degree)
  • Criminal Justice (Certificate)
  • Fire Science (AAS Degree)
  • Fire Science (Certificate)

Enterprising: Business and Entrepreneurial

Can you see yourself starting a business, managing an organization or building a financial empire? Thrive on order and accountability? Then business studies just might be the place for you.

  • Business Management (AAS Degree)
  • Business Management (Certificate)
  • Business Management (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Business Office Technology (AAS Degree)
  • Business Office Technology (Certificate)
  • Business Office Technology (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Cosmetology (Certificate)
  • Cosmetology Instructor (Certificate)
  • Esthetician (Certificate)

Healthy: Healthcare and Medical

Always ready to help? Fascinated with the science and technology of health? Whether it’s about promoting health or treating disease, careers in healthcare require a combination of skill and compassion.

  • Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program
  • Emergency Medical Technician (Certificate)
  • Radiological Technology (AAS Degree)
  • Surgical Technology (AAS Degree)
  • Surgical Technology (Certificate)
  • Vocational Nursing (Certificate)

Hands On: Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Careers

Love making things and making things work better? Choose a career that keeps you busy building, repairing and improving.

  • Electrical Technician (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Engineering Technology (AAS Degree)
  • Engineering Technology (Certificate)
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (AAS Degree)
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (Certificate)
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Industrial Mechanics (AAS Degree)
  • Industrial Mechanics (Certificate)
  • Industrial Mechanics (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Machining Technology (AAS Degree)
  • Machining Technology (Certificate)
  • Machining Technology (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Petroleum Technology (AAS Degree)
  • Petroleum Technology (Certificate)
  • Welding (AAS Degree)
  • Welding (Certificate)
  • Welding (Occupational Skills Award)

Technical: Information Technology

Happiest when you’re dissecting code or developing a database? Do you wear your geek badge with pride? Choose from a range of IT careers creating, maintaining and trouble shooting in the digital world.

  • Computer Information Systems and Technology (AAS Degree)
  • Computer Information Systems and Technology (Certificate)
  • Computer Help Desk (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Cyber Security (AAS Degree)
  • Cyber Security (Certificate)
  • Database Administration (AAS Degree)
  • Database Management (Certificate)
  • Computer Network Systems (AAS Degree)
  • Networking Technology (Certificate) – Network Operating Systems
  • Networking Technology (Certificate) – Cisco Systems
  • Network Technology (Certificate) – Cisco Basic

Natural World: Plant and Animal Kingdom

Choose a career that puts you close to the natural world. Whether it’s working outside, improving the environment, tending to animals or caring for plants, these active careers are for people who would rather not sit at a desk all day.

  • Agriculture Management (Certificate)
  • Equine Science (AAS Degree)
  • Equine Business Management (AAS Degree)
  • Breeding Farm Management (Certificate)
  • Equine Horse Management & Training (Certificate)
  • Equine Husbandry (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Equine Management (Certificate)
  • Farm and Ranch Management (AAS Degree)
  • Horticultural Management (Certificate)
  • Landscape Design (Occupational Skills Award)
  • Sustainable Horticulture (Certificate)

Bachelors and Beyond: Transfer Study Career Paths

No matter what your skills and interests, starting your education at community college means getting a foundation of basic classes in an attentive environment all while spending less on tuition.

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • Engineering & Physics
  • English
  • Foreign Language – Spanish & French
  • Government
  • History
  • Humanities
  • Math
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Speech
  • Teacher Education
  • Visual Arts
AA, AS & AAT Degree Transfer

NCTC graduates with an Associate of Arts (AA), an Associate of Science (AS), or an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree can continue their education toward a four-year degree at any Texas university without the loss of credits earned at NCTC.

AAS Degree Transfer

NCTC Associate of Applied Science (AAS) graduates can take advantage of NCTC’s unique agreements with specific Texas universities to earn a Bachelor’s of Applied Science (BAAS). Those universities include University of North Texas, University of Texas Tyler, Texas Woman’s University, Midwestern State University, Tarleton State University, and Texas A&M University Commerce.

ADN to BSN

The Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) Program at NCTC partners with universities to offer students the opportunity for a smooth transition from ADN to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) after passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Partnering universities are: Midwestern State University, Texas Tech University, Western Governor’s University, Southwest Kingston University, and Texas Woman’s University.

Visit www.nctc.edu for more information about NCTC and starting your career.


Application Checklist

  • Apply online at ApplyTexas.org.
  • Submit high school and/or college transcripts.
  • Complete the TSI testing requirements, if needed.
  • Receive a meningitis vaccine if under 22 years of age.
  • Register for classes!
  • Apply for financial aid and scholarships.*
  • Apply for housing.*

*-Optional