Teach a Course
Ask yourself what the purpose of noncredit courses and programs are for community well-being, then ask yourself if you’d like to be a part of teaching others a knowledge or skill?
Interested in working with us? We're hiring!
Do You Have a Knowledge or Skill and the Capacity to Teach Adults? Part-time, temporary instructors are needed to teach existing curriculum or propose ideas for new courses. Apply to be a Temporary Workforce & Continuing Education Instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Credit Courses & Programs
What is the purpose of noncredit courses and programs?
Noncredit courses and programs offered at Pima Community College are in three categories 1) community education 2) adult basic education and 3) workforce education. These three areas enable students to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to get a job, get a better job, transition to credit education or find a new passion interest. By significantly lowering the barriers to entry, noncredit courses expand student access and are a vital stepping-stone to reach their individual goals.
Who are noncredit students?
While some credit students will benefit from enrolling in noncredit courses, noncredit courses tend to target a different population.
- Personal Exploration – Learning about a craft, hobby, language, politics and much more.
- Skill Builders – Some students are interested in developing a particular skill to reach a career goal and are thus not interested in enrolling in a larger credit certificate or degree program.
- Bridge to Credit – New or returning students might require targeted support to ease their transition to credit education, including building confidence in their own academic skills.
- Fast Track – Condensed learning for job-related certifications/skills that can be completed within six months.
- Adult Basic Education – Noncredit courses provide an alternative educational path for students seeking to learn English as a Second Language or obtain their GED.
Who designs noncredit curriculum and what is the approval process?
The noncredit curriculum development consists of a course title, description, and learning objectives. If you have an idea for a course, provide this information in an email to mmromance@pima.edu.
How long are courses and certificates?
Typically noncredit courses are short and concise. A workforce course may run 8 – 12 weeks, but a community education course rarely is longer than 6 weeks. Some workshops focus on a specific short topic and may last 4 – 8 hours.
Do students enrolled in noncredit get financial aid?
Students electing to learn without earning credits are not typically included in financial aid support. Registration is not complete until payment is received. When a third party pays for a student, the process may be slightly different. One day this may change, but, for now, noncredit is usually pay-as-you learn.
Can undocumented students take noncredit?
We welcome all students without regard to national origin or residency.
What are some unique considerations for noncredit courses?
Noncredit courses are a gateway to college for many students, and so students might not understand college processes or feel uncertain about navigating the campuses. Noncredit students are the majority of learners in the county. These students have a variety of reasons for learning, but want a simple access to the class, quality instruction and a short, concise commitment that allows them to work and enjoy life.