Vocational Trade Schools in Colorado

Red Rocks Community College is part of the Colorado Community College system and maintains campuses in Lakewood and Arvada. RRCC offers associate degrees and certificates in several trades and technical disciplines, such as auto collision technology, building maintenance, computer information systems, and emergency medical services.

Most associate of applied science degrees require 60-63 credits and take two years to complete. Certificate programs require 10-40 credits. Associate degree students frequently earn a certificate in the process of earning their degree. For instance, an AAS in air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration requires 62 credits and students earn a certificate in refrigeration in the first 11 credits. Courses cover topics such as fundamentals of gas heating, piping skills, basic sheet metal, air conditioning systems, and mechanical codes.

Front Range Community College runs multiple campuses in cities throughout Colorado, including Westminster, Longmont, and Fort Collins. The school offers over 60 career programs and certificates in fields such as automation and engineering technology, criminal justice and public safety, medical assisting, and welding technology.

Most associate programs at FRCC require 60-63 credits and take two years to complete. For example, the associate of applied science in medical assisting degree requires 60 credits, including courses on medical record terminology, medical office administration, and pharmacology. FRCC offers apprenticeships in healthcare, manufacturing, and tree care.

Community College of Denver runs multiple campuses across the Denver metropolitan area. CCD shares facilities with two, four-year universities: the Metropolitan State University of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. CCD offers over 100 degrees and certificate programs.

Students can choose from associate degrees in technical and trade fields such as applied technology, dental hygiene, electrical engineering, and veterinary technology. These associate of applied science degrees generally require 60 credits and take two years to complete. Certain programs may require an internship or apprenticeship.

CCD also offers certificate programs that focus on specific skills. Some certificates take as little as six credits and one semester to complete. For instance, students of engineering graphics and mechanical design can obtain short, one-semester certificates in solidworks and scanned input 3-D modeling.

Located in Littleton, Arapahoe Community College was the first community college to open in the Denver area. ACC offers a number of degree and certificate programs, including associate degrees and bachelor's degrees. The school's technical and vocational trade degrees cover fields such as construction management, health information technology, medical laboratory technology, and emergency service administration.

ACC also offers apprenticeship programs in community association management, medical assisting, property management, and water operation. An associate of applied science degree in a technical or trade field requires 60-90 credits. Learners can usually complete the degree in two years. ACC delivers some programs, particularly those with a lab or hands-on training component, in a hybrid format with online lectures but in-person lab sessions. ACC also offers several scholarships, grants, and work-study programs.

Aims Community College runs campuses in Greeley, Windsor, Fort Lupton, and Loveland. Aims offers over 200 degree and certificate programs, including vocational trade programs in paramedics, nursing, engineering technology, and fire science technology.

Many of the school's trades and technical profession programs prepare students to obtain official credentials. Learners can choose from several program options. The college's associate of applied science degrees require 50-65 credits and take two years to complete.

Students can complete certificates in 1-2 semesters. For instance, in emergency medical services, students can complete a 12-credit EMT certificate, a 13-credit AEMT certificate that includes a clinical internship, or a 51-credit associate degree in paramedics. All of these options prepare students to take the National Registry of Emergency Technicians exam. Tuition costs $106 per credit for in-state students and $425 per credit for out-of-state students.

With multiple campuses across western Colorado, Colorado Mountain College offers five bachelor's degrees, 54 associate degrees, and 77 certificate programs. CMC's associate and certificate programs include those in trade or technical professions, such as culinary arts, paramedics, fire science technology, and hospitality management.

CMC offers 60-credit, two-year associate of applied science technical or vocational degrees that prepare graduates to enter the job market. CMC's associate of applied science degrees also fulfill many of the requirements for a bachelor of applied science program in leadership and management. For students who wish to transfer credits into a bachelor's program at another school, CMC also offers an associate of arts program in many of the same fields.

To apply, prospective students should submit an online application, high school transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores. Tuition costs $185 per credit for in-state students and $466 per credit for out-of-state students.

Community College of Aurora is part of the Colorado Community College System and offers many vocational and technical career degrees in fields such as applied technology, computer information systems, cybersecurity, and patient care technology. These associate programs prepare students to obtain a job in their field upon graduation. Students can also easily transfer their degree to a public Colorado four-year university should they decide to pursue a bachelor's. CCA offers certificates focused on specific skills that learners can complete in one semester.

CCA's associate of applied science degrees require 60 credits and generally take two years to complete. Some allow for an accelerated completion of 12 months. Depending on the discipline, CCA may allow students to complete their coursework as part of an apprenticeship program. CCA partners with the Wagner Equipment Apprenticeship program in which students conduct rotations, spending 3-4 weeks in class and 3-4 weeks in shop at Wagner.

Pueblo Community College offers several vocational trade associate degrees and certificates in fields such as automotive service technology, criminal justice, culinary arts, and dental hygiene.

Students can choose from two-year associate of applied science degrees, certificate programs, and mini certificates. For instance, business management students can complete an AAS or a certificate in entrepreneurship, leadership studies, or bookkeeping. The associate of applied science degree requires 60 credits and focuses on preparing students for entry-level positions in marketing, management, sales, or other business professions.

PCC also offers some apprenticeship programs. For instance, the school's automotive service technology department offers a paid apprenticeship for high school students through Automotive Youth Educational Systems.

Tuition costs $153 per credit for state residents and $629 per credit for nonresidents. Tuition runs slightly higher for courses in nursing and dental hygiene.

Colorado Mesa University is a public university in Grand Junction that awards technical certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees. CMU offers trade and technical programs in fields such as aviation technology, hospitality management, mechatronics, and transportation services.

CMU partners with Western Colorado Community College to offer several joint programs. For instance, the associate of applied science in criminal justice is based on completing the police academy program at Western Colorado Community College and integrates instruction from the Peace Officer Standards and Training program. CMU also offers unique internship opportunities. Hotel Maverick, a newly opened boutique hotel, sits on the CMU campus and provides hands-on training opportunities for students in hospitality management and culinary arts.

Tuition costs $620 per credit for Colorado residents and $1,544 per credit for nonresidents.

Founded in 1925, Trinidad State Junior College was the state's first community college. TSJC offers 49 programs in vocational fields, including applied technology, automotive service technology, barbering, and criminal justice. TSJC also offers shorter certificate options that overlap with these degrees.

Associate of applied science degrees prepare students for certification and entry-level jobs. AAS degrees require 60 credits and take two years to complete. The main difference between AAS degrees and other associate or bachelor's degrees is that they do not mandate as many or any general education requirements. For instance, the AAS in barbering jumps into courses directly relevant to the profession, including hair coloring, sanitation and safety, permanent waves and chemical relaxers, and advanced infection control.

The average cost of attendance for one academic year is $3,574 for state residents and $5,957 for nonresidents.

Pickens Technical College offers 50 certificates in technical and trade professions for high school and adult students. Learners can choose from certificates in areas such as HVAC technology, facilities maintenance, welding, and medical assisting. Exclusively for high school students, the college offers a certificate program in early childhood education and an executive internship.

The required credits and program length depend on the specific certificate and field. Many programs combine classroom and shop learning experiences. The school offers apprenticeships in some fields. The advanced manufacturing certificate prepares students to become an entry-level machinist. Courses include blueprint reading, measuring instruments, and operating shop equipment.

Students balance time in the classroom with time in the Job Shop. The program is offered at two levels: a level I certificate requiring 25 credits and an advanced-level certificate requiring 49 credits. Tuition rates vary depending on the program.

Lamar Community College offers several trade and vocational degrees and certificates, including associate of applied science degrees in fields such as agriculture production management, applied technology, business, and cosmetology. These AAS degrees prepare students for entry-level positions.

An associate of applied science at LCC requires 60-65 credits and takes two years to complete. Coursework generally includes 15-16 general education credits and 45-50 field-specific courses. Classroom instruction is often accompanied by hands-on experience.

LCC's construction trades program includes courses on international building codes, computer-aided drafting, carpentry, roof framing, and related topics. Students must complete an internship and multiple construction lab credits. Learners who want a shorter, more specialized credential can pursue certificates within these fields. Online tuition costs $303 per credit for in-state students and $401 per credit for out-of-state students.

Morgan Community College offers more than 75 degrees and certificates, including vocational trade programs in nursing, criminal justice, law enforcement, automotive collision repair, and welding. MCC provides financial assistance to those who have lost their job as part of their worker retraining program. MCC offers courses in online, traditional, and hybrid formats.

Programs prepare students for entry-level positions in their field with coursework focused on the skills directly relevant to their jobs. The AAS degree in radiologic technology requires 77 credits and takes two years to complete. Students take courses in radiographic patient care, radiologic procedures, pathology and image evaluation, and other topics that prepare them to perform X-rays and diagnostic imaging tests as radiologic technologists in hospitals, surgery centers, and clinics. Many programs involve lab, shop, or other hands-on learning experiences.

Located in Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a public community college that offers more than 80 programs. NJC's vocational trade programs include associate degrees and certificates in fields such as emergency medical services, welding technology, nursing, automotive technology, and criminal justice.

NJC's associate of applied science degrees feature less rigid general education requirements and prepare students to enter the workforce in a technical or trade career. AAS degrees require 60-65 credits. Students can typically complete these degrees in two years. NJC also offers one-year certificate programs in fields such as automotive technology, welding, and cosmetology. These programs do not require any general education courses or prerequisites of math, English, or science.

Application requirements include submitting high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores. NJC also allows high school students to take concurrent courses for college credit.