School Details
College of Southern Nevada is a four-year public institution devoted to student achievement. Students at the college participate in academics geared towards the integration of career skills and a liberal arts foundation. CSN promotes a collaborative and engaging learning environment with a culture of accountability and respect. Choose from more than 150 degrees and certificates in more than 70 fields of study.
College of Southern Nevada offers online associate’s and bachelor’s degrees to the non-traditional student. Asynchronous courses allow for students to learn on their own time, while still adhering to an inclusive and rigorous curriculum. Programs for online learning include business, education, information technology, and more.
Online resources at CSN include:
- Library services
- Writing center
- Free online tutoring
- 24/7 technical support
- Online group projects
Accreditation & Licensing
College of Southern Nevada is accredited by:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
The online Associate of Arts in English degree program from the College of Southern Nevada is designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution. This liberal arts degree offers the general education courses required by most four-year colleges and universities, allowing students to complete them through this English degree before transferring. Students also gain skills in critical thinking, analytical writing, and communication, as well as skills used for writing and in the writing process. Courses help students learn to control conventions of language, mechanics, and MLA format in their written projects while also teaching them how to address purpose, audiences, and rhetorical situations, and how to perform research to gather evidence for their written works. You will learn to produce writing that demonstrates academic reading skills or that creates an argumentative and/or exploratory thesis supported by textual evidence.
Graduates of the English degree program are prepared to build on skills gained in their coursework in a higher degree program at a four-year institution. They are able to:
- Compose well-developed, research-based essays using a process approach
- Evaluate and integrate information sources
- Summarize, analyze, synthesize, apply, and document source material
- Connect and contextualize literary works
- Use critical reading and writing skills to analyze literary texts
The College of Southern Nevada offers an online Associate of Arts in History degree for students who want to pursue further education in the form of a higher degree in History or in a related field. With this liberal arts degree in History, a foundation of knowledge and skills is developed as students complete basic courses in preparation for further academic pursuits. Students will gain knowledge and skills in various areas of history and through the study of history. For example, courses help students improve their critical thinking skills and develop oral and written communication skills. You will also learn to perform research and find information on historical and current events. Graduates will have an understanding of history in general and how world, national, and/or local events shape the world in which we live, providing a greater appreciation for each person’s role in society. They also understand how varied history is as a field of study, encompassing history that is:
- Social
- Political
- Economic
- Constitutional
- Cultural
The online Associate of Arts in World Languages degree is designed to help students become proficient in a foreign language. In order to prepare for transfer to a four-year institution where they can earn higher degrees, students can complete this degree which offers many of the general education courses that are required in the first two years of a four-year degree. With a liberal arts degree, students need to complete courses in a foreign language and this program helps them learn to converse at an intermediate level of fluency in a non-English language. You will gain a passive reading vocabulary equivalent to that necessary for success in 300-level courses and knowledge of the culture and context of a chosen language. Students may choose one of several languages as a concentration, including Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, German, French, and more.
Graduates are able to do the following in this language chosen for a concentration:
- Interact on a variety of familiar everyday topics
- Present a variety of familiar, everyday topics
- Interpret ideas in common contexts
- Relate cultural concepts and contexts to their own cultural concepts and contexts
The Associate of General Studies is an online liberal arts degree from the College of Southern Nevada that is designed for students seeking advanced learning in a broad variety of disciplines. With this liberal arts degree, students are able to choose numerous elective courses and complete courses from a wide array of topics, so something may spark personal interest even though they are not planning on concentrating in any one particular field of study. Students will complete coursework in numerous topics, including:
- Humanities
- Fine Arts
- Social Science
- U.S. & Nevada Constitutions
- Values & Diversity
Coursework will provide a variety of knowledge and skills, helping you synthesize information from a variety of academic disciplines. You will also examine variations in human culture and incorporate perspectives of diversity, produce oral and written communication, interpret and solve problems through various methods, and defend solutions based on evidence and reasoning.
Business
College of Southern Nevada offers the online Associate of Applied Science in Accounting. This degree provides a comprehensive background in the principles, procedures and theories of organizing and maintaining business and financial transactions.
Student learning outcomes:
- Incorporate accounting principles, procedures and theories of organizing and maintaining business and financial transactions.
- Formulate conceptual framework of the accounting cycle with the application of basic assumptions, concepts and guidelines for preparing financial statements.
- Enhance proficiency in processing financial information with computerized accounting systems and software.
College of Southern Nevada offers the online AAS in Business Management. This degree provides the student with the understanding and knowledge necessary for managing people and functions. Managerial and motivational theories, global management, decision making and organizational designs are stressed.
Student learning outcomes:
- Explain general business and management theories.
- Examine managerial and motivational management theories.
- Develop business and management skills for profit and nonprofit organizations.
College of Southern Nevada offers the online AA in Communication. This program offers students a solid foundation in communication theory and extensive practice in application of communication skills.
Course work covers the following topics:
- survey of communication studies
- survey of rhetorical studies
- interpersonal communication
- intercultural communication
- argumentation and debate
- group communication
- public speaking
- film criticism
College of Southern Nevada offers the online Associate of Business. With this degree, students are given the option of pursuing a bachelor’s degree or seeking employment.
Student learning outcomes:
- Integrate financial and managerial accounting principles in the utilization of data planning and control.
- Incorporate business principles with the theory and practice of business operations.
- Examine the planning, organization, leadership and control functions of management.
College of Southern Nevada offers the online Certificate in Casino Management. With this certificate, students will obtain a basic knowledge of casino games, as well as casino management, casino marketing, gaming regulations, gaming law and human relations in the casino industry.
Student learning outcomes:
- Interpret gaming industry laws and regulations.
- Assess the operation of a casino.
- Analyze Table Games operating procedures.
- Examine the operation of the slots department.
- Formulate casino marketing strategies.
College of Southern Nevada offers the online Certificate in Hotel Management. This certificate provides students the opportunity to seek employment in an entry-level position, or for those already in the hotel industry, an opportunity for professional grown and career advancement.
Student learning outcomes:
- Compare and contrast the different businesses in the hospitality industry.
- Develop an operations manual for the Rooms Division in a hotel.
- Analyze financial statements using the Uniform System of Accounts for Hotels.
- Differentiate between the service delivery systems used in the hospitality industry.
Computer Science & IT
The Associate of Applied Science in Computing & Information Technology with a concentration in Software – Programming is an online software development degree from the College of Southern Nevada. This program prepares students for various positions in fields related to computer programing. You will learn to design, develop, maintain, document, and test software applications. Plus, courses improve skills in communication, project management, teamwork, and problem solving. Students also improve their abilities to work with databases and web site development.
Courses include:
- Beginning Programming Languages
- Advanced Programming Languages
- Beginning Web Development
- Introduction to Computer Security
- Database Concepts and SQL
The Associate of Applied Science in Computing & Information Technology with a concentration in Software – Web Development is an online web design degree from the College of Southern Nevada. This program prepares students for various positions in fields related to website development and Web application development. You will learn to design, develop, maintain, document, and test web applications. Plus, courses improve skills in communication, project management, teamwork, and problem solving. Students also improve their abilities to work with databases and web application development.
In addition to general education courses, the curriculum includes such courses as:
- Beginning Java
- Beginning Web Development
- Web Script Language Programming
- Dynamic Web Applications
- Web Database Development
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
You can analyze the issue of crime in the US with the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from the College of Southern Nevada. The online criminal justice degree addresses both the professional and legal aspects of our criminal legal system.
Through the online criminal justice associate’s degree program, you learn the limitations of our criminal justice systems. Graduates have skills in the prevention of crime and the rehabilitation of offenders through coursework like:
- Ethics
- Criminology
- Criminal law
- Criminal evidence
You can train to work in the fire and emergency management sector with the Associate of Applied Science in Fire Technology Management from the College of Southern Nevada. The online fire science degree explores such topics as:
- Fire prevention
- Fire behavior and combustion
- Hazardous materials chemistry
- Building construction for fire protection
Through the online fire science associate’s degree program, you learn safety measures for dealing with fires. Graduates can conduct fire inspections and investigations.
You can learn to draft legal documents with the Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from the College of Southern Nevada. The online paralegal degree examines such topics as:
- Ethics
- Legal writing
- Legal research
- Civil procedure
Through the online paralegal associate’s degree program, you learn to create quality legal work with an attorney’s direction. Graduates have a solid understanding of substantive law, legal procedures, and research methodologies.
You can start your education with the Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice from the College of Southern Nevada. The online criminal justice degree provides a comprehensive overview through courses like:
- Corrections
- Criminal evidence
- Police in America
- Criminal investigation
Through the online criminal justice associate’s degree program, you can choose electives from forensics, juvenile justice, and many interdisciplinary topics. Graduates qualify for entry-level roles or can transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.
Education
The College of Southern Nevada offers an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood. This online degree provides a foundation for a bachelor’s degree for those preparing to work as early childhood teachers. It also offers the necessary education for those seeking instructional aide positions.
Besides teaching curriculum for early learners, the online early childhood education coursework focuses on subjects such as:
- Children’s literature
- Use of technology
- Educational psychology
- Valuing cultural diversity
The Associate of Arts in Elementary Education from the College of Southern Nevada primes students for a bachelor’s degree to teach elementary education. The online elementary education associate’s degree also provides the training necessary to become a paraprofessional in a classroom.
The online coursework provides a multicultural education. Graduates learn the appropriate pedagogical practices to teach diverse students. Other outcomes of the online elementary education program include:
- Using technology in the classroom
- Applying educational psychology to improve student outcomes
- Choosing formative and summative techniques to evaluate learning strategies
Known as a leader in online learning, CSN offers an Associate of Arts in Secondary Education that is entirely online. This secondary education program provides a foundation for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree to teach. Others use this training to work as instructional aides in the classroom.
Besides the core courses within secondary education, students must complete general education credits in subjects such as:
- College mathematics
- Composition
- Critical thinking and reasoning
- Oral communication
The Associate of Arts in Special Education from CSN provides a solid foundation for those who want to continue their education or for those seeking positions such as instructional aides in a special education classroom. As CSN is known as a leader in online learning, you can rely on a solid education.
Besides core courses in special education, students complete general education credits. Choices within social studies include many topics, such as:
- Bioethics
- Philosophy of human nature
- Social and political philosophy
- Science and religion
Healthcare
The online Certificate in Medical Transcription prepares students to become medical language specialists and equips them with the knowledge to manage records and produce reports, including medical, scientific, and legal documents. Transcriptionists provide invaluable services in a wide range of healthcare industries, some of which include:
- Hospitals
- Private medical offices
- Medical research and teaching centers
Students who complete this program will have the credentials necessary to sit for the Certificate Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) certification exam.
Psychology & Human Services
Students searching for online Psychology degrees can start with a solid foundation from the College of Southern Nevada’s AA degree program. The degree is designed for students planning to transfer into a bachelor’s program after completion. Students will learn the basics of theoretical perspectives and social science research methods. Graduates will understand the range of fields and careers in psychology and what requirements – educational, ethical, experiential, and credential – are necessary for each.
A wide variety of electives are available to explore more specialized topics in Psychology and other closely related fields, such as:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Medication fundamentals
- Latino psychology
- Child and adolescent psychology
- Personal and social adjustment
- Human sexuality
- Substance abuse
This Associate of Arts in Sociology degree online teaches about contemporary social issues as well as the core principles and applied skills of Sociology. This degree program is primarily designed for students wanting to transfer into a four-year degree program upon completion. Students will gain skills in critical thinking, data analysis, writing, and oral communication. Classes examine trends concerning culture, social structure, cultural diversity, and social inequality, as well as research methods and ethics.
Electives include an array of topics such as:
- Marriage and family
- Deviant behavior
- Media and society
- Contemporary moral issues
- Science and religion
- Philosophy of law