San Diego College of Continuing Education

About Us

San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) is the adult education division of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD). As the largest provider of noncredit education in California, SDCCE’s mission is to provide accessible, equitable, and innovative quality education and career training to adult students. SDCCE has offered free career training and classes continuously for more than 100 years.

Founded in 1914 on the principles of inclusion and social justice, SDCCE welcomes every immigrant, refugee and underserved population to fulfill educational goals. At SDCCE, adult students find a fun and positive learning environment for every skill level. Students come from across 50 states and from 159 foreign countries, to learn in more than 70 free career training programs and in thousands of free classes.

In addition to a traditional schedule of fall, spring and summer semesters, many programs enroll year-round in an open-entry, open-exit format and offer classes in the evenings, weekends and online allowing students to pursue higher education or career training while maintaining other responsibilities and active lives.

SDCCE’s short-term free career training programs include areas within Business, Accounting/Business Information Worker, Automotive, Child Development, Clothing and Textiles, Computers and Information Technology, Digital Media, Culinary, , HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), Healthcare, Plumbing, Upholstery and Welding.

Additional free classes include High School Diploma/Equivalency, English as Second Language, and Emeritus (classes with instruction focused for age 55+). Programs are available at seven campuses in San Diego from the Barrio Logan community in the south, to Miramar in the north. Students also attend classes at over 200 community locations.

SDCCE was one of the first community college continuing education institutions in California to meet the standards for independent accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Noncredit classes are free because SDCCE is part of the California system of higher education.

Transitioning Students to Careers and College

Students attend classes for many reasons: some are returning to education to complete high school diplomas or equivalencies after being away from school for years, and SDCCE helps them succeed and in many cases, transition to continue higher education. Professionals including doctors, lawyers and engineers can be found in computer labs learning advanced software applications, or the latest trends in media technology to help them excel in a current job. Thousands of adults are in hands-on environments learning a new trade or preparing to enter the workforce.

Vision

To be the leader in innovative education where students transform their lives and communities.

Philosophy

San Diego College of Continuing Education is a multicultural institution dedicated to providing educational access and lifelong learning opportunities to our community. Our commitment is to all learners, who bring diverse academic skills and life experiences. We offer innovative, high quality instruction and student support services. We believe that education is key to enriching lives and contributing to our community.

Core Values

We, the College of Continuing Education faculty, staff, and administration of San Diego Community College District place students at the center of all that we do, supporting and promoting excellence in their endeavors. We acknowledge our responsibility to society and believe that access to lifelong learning is a cornerstone of a democratic society. We consider it our duty to anticipate changing demands in education and welcome the opportunity to shape the future. We affirm many different points of view and places of origin; we uphold equity and inclusion; we value collaboration and shared decision-making; and we honor creativity and innovation.

Mission Statement

San Diego College of Continuing Education commits to student success and community enrichment by providing tuition-free, accessible, equitable, and innovative quality education and support services to diverse learners in pursuit of lifelong learning, training, career advancement, and pathways to credit college.