Skip to main content
Finding Your Path

Explore the many degrees and certificates we offer.

Bright sparks fly as a welding student joints two pieces of steel.

Choosing a major or area of interest early in your college journey is an important step because it helps you plan the right classes and stay on track toward your goals. However, if you’re unsure about your major right now, that’s completely normal! Many students start college undecided and discover their path along the way. 

This section will give you tools and resources to start exploring your options, but remember—you’re not alone! JCCC offers support through the Career Development Center and other staff who can help you identify your strengths, interests, and career possibilities. Use this section as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and the programs available so you can make informed decisions when you’re ready.

Degrees and Certificates at JCCC

At Johnson County Community College (JCCC), you can pursue an associate degree or earn a certificate, depending on your interests and objectives. Understanding the difference between the two is helpful.

What is an Associate Degree?

An associate degree is designed to be completed in about two years when attending college full-time. These programs:

  • Require completion of at least 60 credit hours.
  • Include general education courses along with classes focused on your chosen field of study.

An associate degree can prepare you for immediate employment or serve as a foundation for transferring to a four-year college or university.

Explore Degrees

What is a Certificate?

Certificates focus on practical skills for a specific professional field. They:

  • Require fewer credits than a degree.
  • Can often be completed in a shorter time frame.

In some JCCC programs, you can earn a certificate alongside an associate degree, giving you an extra credential for your career.

Explore Certificates

Areas of Interest

For students that are unsure which major they would like to pursue, picking an area of interest is a great starting point towards getting on a path to completion.

Areas of interest are broad categories such as Arts & Design, Industrial Trades & Transportation, or Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) that allow you to complete classes that count towards many different majors within that category while you decide on the specific major that is right for you. Once you decide on your major, fill out a Change of Major form to let us know which Degree or Certificate you plan to complete.

Explore Areas of Interest

Career Development Center

The Career Development Center is here to support you throughout your entire college journey, from exploring majors to preparing for your future career. Students—especially those unsure about their major—are encouraged to connect with the center early to get guidance, resources, and personalized support. Starting sooner helps you make informed decisions and stay on track toward your goals.

Undecided? Begin Exploring Today

If you are undecided about what you want to major in, taking the time to explore careers and reflect on your interests is an important step in your college journey. Deciding on a major early can save you time and money by allowing you to enroll in classes that count towards your major right away.

The Career Development Center offers many free resources to help you identify the path that is right for you, including workshops, self-assessments, one-on-one support from a Career Development Coach, and much more. It’s never too early to begin exploring. Use the links below to start identifying your path.

Horticulture student examines flowering plants growing in JCCC's greenhouse.

Explore on Your Own - Career Concourse

Career Concourse is a free tool that gives you a jumpstart in determining your major, finding a rewarding job, or discovering training needed to pursue your career and educational journey.

Explore Career Concourse
Student works with instructor in JCCC pastry lab.

Explore on Your Own - Focus2Career

The Focus2Career assessment is a self-paced online career guidance tool. It features 5 mini self-assessments that look at your work interests, personality, values, skills, and leisure interests. The results of all 5 assessments are combined to produce a list of occupations that may be a good fit for you. That list acts as a conversation guide. Focus2 also provides a direct way to search careers based off of your college major. This assessment is a quick way to learn about yourself and different careers. It takes 20-30 minutes to complete, and you will get your results immediately.


Click the button below to create an account. Use the access code: explore. Once you've created your account, you can log in at Focus2Career.com.

Explore Focus2Career
Students adjust valves to control water flow in plumbing lab.

Get Help from an Expert

Visit the Career Development Center or attend a Choices Workshop for hands on support from a Career Coach.

Career Development Center
Next Topic

Your Questions, Answered.