Adult Basic Education

Recognizing the role of the community college in the area of adult education, College of the Desert makes available courses not for college credit (noncredit) for the development of necessary skills and knowledge in Adult Basic Education (reading, writing, and math), Adult High School Diploma, and preparation for the General Education Development Test (GED). No enrollment fees are charged to students taking adult education courses. 

Many courses are offered on an open-entry, open-exit basis. Admission of students can occur on a daily basis and no prior educational background is required. In addition to regular class offerings, emphasis is placed on self-paced, independent, student-centered learning. For more information, please call 760.776.7348. Specifically, instruction is provided in the following areas:

Basic Skills

Basic Skills includes the study of reading, writing, and math. It is designed for adults to learn these skills and, if desired, earn certificates of completion in these specific areas. Basic Skills students will be better prepared to pursue further education, including GED and Adult High School Diploma, or pursue employment opportunities.  

General Education Development Test (GED)

General Education Development (GED) is the study of social studies, math, reading, language arts, and science. Students completing this course of study will be better prepared to take the official GED test. The GED test is an alternative to a high school diploma and is accepted by many employers, community colleges, vocational training programs, and government agencies.

High School Completion/Diploma

High School Completion is the study of subjects required to obtain a high school diploma. Students completing their required coursework and passing the proficiency exams will receive an Adult High School Diploma issued by College of the Desert.

Advisor:  

Alison Airhart
aairhart@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.568.7509

Diploma

Noncredit Certificates

ABE 300  Adult Basic Education   Units: 0

This course is designed to provide basic skills instruction in reading, writing, math, and survival skills in everyday living.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 320A  Fundamentals of English   Units: 0

This course provides basic grammar skills which prepare students for high school completion and GED testing. Students prepare to pass the adult high school proficiency essay examination, the GED essay examination, or the college assessment test.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 320B  Fundamentals of English   Units: 0

This course provides a secondary level in English grammar and further experience in essay writing. Students learn to write coherent descriptive, definition, expository and current event essays.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ABE-320A and/or transcript evaluation.
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 320C  Fundamentals of English   Units: 0

This course provides students the opportunity to refine their skills in writing the narrative and persuasive argumentative writing. Students learn to write coherent expository, narrative, persuasive and current event essays. They also type a job application letter and resume.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 320D  Fundamentals of English   Units: 0

This course prepares students to use critical thinking and dictionary skills.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ABE-32C and/or transcript evaluation.
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 323A  American Literature   Units: 0

This course provides a study of representative American writers. Students evaluate two novels written by a selected author according to point of view, plot, style, emotional appeal, and character development. Students critique the author, comparing their opinion of the work to that of a published opinion.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 323B  World Literature   Units: 0

This course provides an opportunity to explore the works of a few of the world's greatest authors. Students research the life of one or two authors from a provided list. Students address point of view, plot, style, emotional appeal, characters and how the book has affected the history of society.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 324A  Reading Control Lab I   Units: 0

This course is designed to assess vocabulary and comprehension levels in students.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 324B  Reading Control Lab II   Units: 0

This course is designed to teach reading to adults. Credit is applicable towards a high school diploma.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 326A  U.S. History I   Units: 0

This course provides the history of the United States from exploration through the Civil War.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 326B  U.S. History II   Units: 0

This course provides the history of the United States from Reconstruction of 1865 to the present.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 328A  American Government   Units: 0

This course is designed to give students an understanding of the principles and structure of government.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 328B  Economics   Units: 0

This course is designed to help students recognize the role and importance of the individual consumer in the world economy.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 332A  World History I   Units: 0

This course covers major elements in Western Civilization related to the Modern World. Emphasis is placed upon prehistory to the 18th century cultures.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 332B  World History II   Units: 0

This course covers major elements in Western Civilization related to the Modern World from the 18th century to today's world.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 334  U.S. Citizenship   Units: 0

This course provides instruction of American History and United States Government in preparation for becoming a citizen of the United States.
Noncredit Hours: 40                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 335A  World Geography I   Units: 0

This course provides basic information on regions of the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Russia, emphasizing their geographical features.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 335B  World Geography II   Units: 0

This course provides basic information on regions of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, emphasizing their geographical features.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 342A  Practical Basic Math I   Units: 0

This course provides practical math skills from basic computation to simple equations. Self-instructional materials allow self-paced study.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 342B  Practical Basic Math II   Units: 0

This course provides practical math skills from basic computation to simple equations. Self-instructional materials allow self-paced study.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 344A  Math for Living I   Units: 0

The course helps students understand the concepts of basic math and how they apply to consumer skills necessary for life situations.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 344B  Math for Living II   Units: 0

The course helps students to apply the concepts of basic math skills to everyday life situations.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 346A  Algebra I   Units: 0

This course provides basic algebra skills including simple equations, use of formulas, exponents and factoring. Self-instructional material allows self-paced study.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 346B  Algebra II   Units: 0

This course provides basic algebra skills including simple equations, use of formulas, exponents and factoring. Self-instructional material allows self-paced study.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 348A  Life Science   Units: 0

This course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge of science as related to all living things. Students study animals, plants, the human body, ecology, heredity and evolution.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 348B  Physical Science   Units: 0

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the forms of matter and energy that make up the physical universe. Students study the things around them. Two areas covered are chemistry and physics.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 348C  Earth Science   Units: 0

This course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge of science as related to themselves and their range of experiences. Students study the earth's land, water and air. Fields of focus are geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 351A  Marine Science   Units: 0

This high school level course provides the study and understanding of the ocean. Students will investigate the scientific world of ocean organisms and its physical characteristics. Science concepts such as plate tectonics, food and energy transfer and the properties of water will be comprehensively explained.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 361A  Fine Arts: Art   Units: 0

This course teaches the student the history of art through the perspective of artists from around the world. The course focuses not only on the artists' work, but also on various biographical facts of the artist.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 361B  Fine Arts: Music   Units: 0

This course familiarizes the student with the different forms of music and provides a survey of the history of music.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 361C  Fine Arts: Theater   Units: 0

This course introduces and familiarizes the student with the various forms of theatrical performances.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 364  GED Test Preparation   Units: 0

This course is designed to prepare students for the GED examination.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 368A  Beginning Typing - Keyboarding I   Units: 0

This course focuses on basic keyboarding skills using a computer. Students learn all keys on the keyboard by using a computerized exercise program.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 391A  Health Issues I   Units: 0

This course provides information on health issues with emphasis on methods for coping and guidelines for planning good health.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ABE 391B  Health Issues II   Units: 0

This course provides information on health issues with emphasis on substance abuse, prevention of diseases, and recognition of warning signs.
Noncredit Hours: 80                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None