Enroll Now Northland Pioneer College is ready to help you get started on a path to a new career and new opportunities. With more than 70 associates degree and certificate programs available, a new career is easy to attain. We’ll help you chart a course that’s right for you. The following list provides a snapshot of the programs NPC offers and national average incomes in the field. For more...

If you’re interested in the development, mainten-ance and use of computer systems, software and networks, then information technology (IT) may be the career for you. A great way to start is by earning the industry-recognized A+ and Network+ certifications. These certifications verify to an employer that you can troubleshoot computer hardware and software issues, mobile devices, networking and...

America is aging, requiring the services of an increasing number of health-care professionals. In rural northeastern Arizona, the demand for qualified healthcare workers continues to grow along with a surge in the number of physicians’ offices and outpatient care facilities utilizing technological advancements to perform procedures that were once handled only in hospitals. That’s what makes...

Love working with small children? Few educational fields are more important than those centered on the development and care of infants and young children. Visible and invisible energy flows through the children in the White Mountain Apache Head Start in Whiteriver as their young minds form nearly 700 new neural connections every second! It’s happening as they build towers with blocks, create a...

Psychology is the fourth-most popular major among American college students today. Why? Because it teaches us about ourselves. Psychology is a fascinating area of study. It helps you understand human behavior – how people think, act and feel. Psychology can help you become a better communicator, think more critically and be a better employee and manager in the workplace. An added bonus for...

It’s not uncommon for some students in high school to feel that college is not the right fit for them. But nothing could be further from the truth! Many local area high schools work hand-in-hand with Northland Pioneer College and NAVIT to provide college-level courses in a variety of career fields for free. All program costs are covered by the high school, and courses successfully completed in...

Today, digital media is everywhere and film and sound production are no exception. That’s why Northland Pioneer College is creating a new Film and Digital Video (FDV) program taught by international award-winning filmmaker Mark Ford. To create the Film and Digital Video program, Ford has revamped and updated two existing NPC courses, and added several new ones, to incorporate the latest...

Earn College Credit In High School Obtaining a college degree is a smart choice for your future. The median earnings per year for a person with an associate degree is $9,400 higher than for someone with just a high school diploma and with a bachelor’s degree, it is $21,100 higher. A college degree also gives you an edge over those who don’t have one when applying for jobs. You can get a head...

When Northland Pioneer College started Kids College, there was a priority in mind: make learning fun while introducing kids to college in a positive way. Years later, after seeing substantial growth, the program is doing just that for youths ages 6 to 14. “Our vision is to have Kids College not only be something fun to do in the summer, but to make it a program that can get children...

Cutting-Edge Skills For High-Demand Jobs In Manufacturing – Computers, Robotics, Electronics When Henry Ford implemented assembly line techniques to automobile production in 1913, he revolutionized the skills needed in manufacturing. Factories became filled with low- or semi-skilled workers, who performed repetitive tasks for low pay, often in dirty, dark and noisy conditions. Yesterday’s...

Enroll Now Northland Pioneer College is ready to help you get started on a path to a new career and new opportunities. With more than 70 associates degree and certificate programs available, a new career is easy to attain. We’ll help you chart a course that’s right for you. The following list provides a snapshot of the programs NPC offers and national average incomes in the field. For more...

If you would like an exciting career where you can serve the community in which you live, consider becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic. Emergency medical services (EMT) is a demanding field requiring physical fitness and emotional stability in the face of often stressful work conditions. You must be capable of making fast, sound decisions that can mean the difference...

“Costa Rica is just so green!” says Joshua Wenger, “Everywhere I looked was amazing. When you’re from Arizona and you go to Costa Rica, it’s just a life-changing experience.” Almost half of Costa Rica’s land is covered by lush, green forest with dozens of national reserves and parks. The country boasts close to a thousand different species of birds; over two hundred volcanic...

YES! NPC offers another option besides heading straight to a university.  Mechatronics! Gain hands-on experience installing, troubleshooting, repairing, upgrading and testing electronic and computer-controlled mechanical systems that often involve robotic assembly machines. Get Your Bachelor’s Degree Paid For If you decide that you want to pursue an engineering degree, one option is...

A dancing reflection of sunlight drew University of Arizona history major Howard Noble to a window overlooking a medieval festival on the lawn below. His curiosity led him to join the merriment and change his life forever. “I had so much fun that I went home, designed and built a suit of armour and was back as a participant a month later,” recalls Noble. He created a second suit for a...

Starting at Northland Pioneer College and then trans-ferring to a four-year institution is a smart strategy for students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree. As tuition continues to climb at Arizona’s public state universities, more students are discovering they can save nearly $17,516 in just tuition by completing one of NPC’s guaranteed transfer degrees. These degrees contain the needed...

Northland Pioneer College has served adult learners for decades. We understand the challenges faced by older students who often already have family and job responsibilities. NPC offers affordable tuition, evening and online courses, and experience serving older students. We are your best choice for gaining the skills and credentials you need to advance your career and enrich you and your...

Preparation for the rigors of college studies begins with dual enrollment programs at 19 area high schools in which students earn both high school and Northland Pioneer College credits for college-level courses taught at the high school. “Parents and students don’t have an understanding of what a wonderful program this is,” said Jeff Strong, a dual enrollment mathematics instructor at...

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Recruiter Kevin Zwick, with the Phoenix Office, explained career opportunities and the Bureau’s hiring procedure to students in Northland Pioneer College’s computer networking and maintenance class during an NPC Career Services presentation earlier this spring. Only 1,300 of the Bureau’s 36,000 employees are classified as “special agents.” The rest...

Art classes aren’t just for degree seekers Artistic expression takes many forms, each honed through practice and guided by a mentor who has been where you are today. That’s why Northland Pioneer College art classes are open to all, regardless of age or experience.* Studio art courses are geared specifically to guide students in preparing a portfolio of their work. NPC offers many options for...

Knowledge, technology & culture come together. It’s not often that Northland Pioneer College has a professor born and raised in China, but Wei Ma has been able to combine his Chinese roots and his love of technology to bring a unique opportunity to NPC students. As Ma grew up in China and started to pursue a career, he worked to become a producer in the television industry. Working for...

By Dennis Durband Anthony Meza left a lasting impression at Northland Pioneer College and helped many of his fellow students in three years at the school before transferring to Arizona State University in 2013. He is a shining example of how well NPC prepares students for future success when they transfer to four-year schools. As a dual enrollment student at Snowflake High School, Anthony spent...

It’s more than turning a wrench. Safety, honesty, respect and integrity are vital components of the Automotive Technology program at Northland Pioneer College. When combined with the skills learned on computerized trainers and hands-on shop experience, the result is ASE-certified students and graduates that local employers are eager to hire. “Our industry partners are hiring our students...

YES, YOU CAN AFFORD COLLEGE! NPC understands that college can be expensive and that’s why we work so hard to keep costs low. A quality education does NOT have to mean higher cost. Financial aid and scholarships are available. All students who wish to apply for financial assistance, including scholarships, must start by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form...

Northland Pioneer College is ready to help you get started on a path to a new career and new opportunities. With more than 70 associate degrees and certificate programs available, a new career is easy to attain. We’ll help you chart a course that’s right for you. The following list provides a snapshot of the programs NPC offers and national average incomes in the field. For more information,...

Barbara Hicks demonstrates the latest nail care techniques. Cosmetology students learn more than just hairstyling; they also study the techni-ques of pedicures, facials, coloring, perms and salon management. Graduates of NPC’s Cosmetology program have one of the highest success rates for passing the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology licensing exam, at the lowest program cost in Arizona! With a...

Jonathan (Charlie) Hall knew that Northland Pioneer College would be there to help him earn his degree, but since he has started his apprenticeship (paid, on-the-job training) with Nestle Purina, Hall has been grateful for NPC’s customized support in this new stage of his career. [caption id="attachment_1317" align="alignright" width="240"] In NPC’s Mechatronics program, Charlie Hall is...

Northland Pioneer College partners with other regionally accredited colleges and universities, both within and outside of Arizona, through official articulation agreements. These agreements assist students with making a smooth transition from NPC to a participating four-year institution without duplicating coursework. NPC students participating in university transfer agreements (UTA) are able to...

Earning college credit in high school You’ll rarely find senior Trista Ison in the stands cheering for her Show Low High School Cougars, a complete reversal from her sophomore-year cheerleading days. She’s more likely doing homework for her Northland Pioneer College Medical Assistant degree and high school classes, or completing online high school history or college biology courses. It was...

It’s a simple fact. Go to college, and you can expect to do much better in the labor force. A recent study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce confirmed that of the 11.6 million jobs created after June 2009, 8.4 million went to those who had earned at least a bachelor’s degree. An additional 3 million jobs went those who had an associate degree or some college...

“Something I always seem to be telling my students, is that in life, and especially art, when you’re creating something great, doors of opportunity open to you. My life is no exception,” says Peterson Yazzie, Instructor at NPC. When Yazzie describes how he became an NPC art instructor and published illustrator, he affirms again that it was doors of opportunity that led him from high school...

By Everett Robinson As the number of older Americans continues to increase, the career opportunities for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow faster than average at 9 percent through 2024. The median annual salary is $30,410 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In just one semester, you can complete the training and test for national certification in this exciting allied health...

Many recall the housing market crash of 2008 and how the construction industry suffered as a result. But eight years later, analysts are predicting a growth of 6 percent in 2016 (Dodge Data & Analytics). And the top problem facing the industry is the shortage of skilled workers. Many employees who left the industry never returned, and as a result companies throughout the United States are...

Northland Pioneer College is ready to help you get started on a path to a new career and new opportunities. With more than 70 associate degrees and certificate programs available, a new career is easy to attain. We’ll help you chart a course that’s right for you. The following list provides a snapshot of the programs NPC offers and national average incomes in the field. For more information,...

Tiny houses, those between 80 and 400 square feet in size, are growing in popularity world-wide. Whether on solid foundations or on wheels, more people are choosing these dwellings for their affordability and ecological friendliness. Students in NPC’s Integrated Basic Education Skills Training and Construction classes in Holbrook and Whiteriver have been learning how to frame tiny houses. The...

YES, YOU CAN AFFORD COLLEGE! Financial aid and scholarships are available. All students who wish to apply for financial assistance, including scholarships, must start by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online. Getting started is easy; just watch the student guide video for step-by-step instructions at www.finaid.ucsb.edu/FAFSASimplification. Don’t have access...

NPC’s Management & Leadership program helps you advance your career By Everett Robinson Like many nontraditional NPC students, Lori Moore put her own education on hold to raise a family and work to supplement her family’s income. But with both of her children finishing up their college education, Moore decided she too wanted to earn her bachelor’s degree. Lori has already earned an...

By Dennis Durband NPC student Esmeralda “Ezzie” Lujan once rationalized that apply-ing for a scholarship “will take so much time that I don’t have and they request so much information.” Three scholarships later, Lujan says she changed her mind because of the encouragement she received from Betsyann Wilson, executive director of NPC Friends and Family. “Betsyann told us, ‘It’s...

Yes, NPC courses do transfer. There is a misconception that NPC credits won’t transfer to Arizona’s three state universities. That simply isn’t true. Addressing a charge from the Arizona Legislature, the state’s universities, community colleges and Board of Regents developed the Arizona Transfer System to ensure students can seamlessly transfer between the state’s community colleges and...

By Dennis Durband “I like teaching and touching young students’ lives,” says Jorge Meza, an instructor in Construction Technology at Northland Pioneer College. “It is rewarding to help guide kids. I remember when others guided me and I want to pay it forward.” Meza enjoys telling the story of how he developed this commitment to guiding young people. It began during his youth in Los...

NPC brings college classes into local high schools by Everett Robinson Distance learning technology is opening the doors to NPC higher education opportunities for students at 10 area high schools. It’s funded through a U.S. Department of Education grant awarded to Northland Pioneer College. Utilizing technology-connected classrooms, NPC faculty members provide dual enrollment instruction to...

Locally, a first step would be to enroll in NPC’s Fire Training Academy, based at the Jake Flake Emergency Services Northeastern Arizona Training Center in Taylor. NPC’s program has earned Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education recognition and graduates are certified by the National Fire Academy, meaning credentials meet or exceed national standards. The NPC academy accepts...

YES, YOU CAN AFFORD COLLEGE! Financial aid and scholarships are available. All students who wish to apply for financial assistance, including scholarships, must start by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online. Getting started is easy; just watch the student guide video for step-by-step instructions at www.finaid.ucsb.edu/FAFSASimplification. Don’t have access...

A report by USA Today indicates the study of history is one of the top 10 college majors in the United States. The American Historical Association says students of history are employable in a wide range of occupations, including careers in teaching, media, business, public administration, museums, law and more. “We can better understand human beings when we understand our history,” says NPC...

When you walk into Professor Andrew Hassard’s geography class, you will encounter a lively and passionate teacher. You will be challenged to write well and make progress, from the beginning of the semester to the end. You will learn to think and evaluate subject matter. He makes geography about more than just maps and places. Students rate Hassard highly, and he is a sought-after NPC...

Waiting for the Four Seasons transit bus at three pickup locations is now more comfortable thanks to a community partnership between Northland Pioneer College welding students and the City of Show Low. With ridership topping 180,000 per year on the transit system, officials recognized the need for more shelters at bus stops. “When no local businesses were able to fabricate the shelters, city...

“Cheater!” That’s what geologists in other states jokingly call NPC Geology Professor Randy Porch (pictured above). They’re envious of Porch and other geology instructors in the Grand Canyon State who have so many wonderful geologic features to study in their own back yard. Since he joined the NPC faculty some 20 years ago, countless students in the Introduction to Geology 101 and 102...

Haven Health operates two skilled nursing facilities, one in Show Low and the other in Lakeside, that offer inpatient rehabilitation services as well as long- term patient care. Recently, both locations realized they had to add staff more quickly to meet their growing demand for services. That’s when they decided to contact NPC’s nursing program to see if it could help. [caption...

New Course Combines Paleontology, Geology and Biology Northland Pioneer College will become the first community college in Arizona to offer an undergraduate paleontology course about dinosaurs in the fall of 2017! NPC Biology Professor Dr. David Smith and his colleague, paleontologist Doug Wolfe, will team-teach the new geology course (GLG 202, Dinosaurs) focusing on the ecology, physiology...

Every college in America is focused like a laser beam on ensuring students return semester after semester and complete their educational goals successfully. The survival of small colleges like NPC in particular depend on connecting with students and keeping them engaged and moving forward. That’s why in the Spring 2017 semester, NPC launched a new program designed to improve student retention...