School Details
Lake Superior College is a two-year public school located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school was created in 1995 when Duluth Technical College and Duluth Community College merged into one school. Both campuses moved to the new location of Lake Superior College in 1996 and began facility expansion. Lake Superior College is dedicated to providing a “…high-value accessible higher education and advanced training in a supportive, inclusive environment…”
Lake Superior College offers pre-baccalaureate majors for students interested in transferring to four-year educational institutions as well as certificate, diploma, and degree programs in career/technical fields. Most classes offered are in a traditional classroom format but nearly 200 courses are offered in an online format. Complete over 20 online programs. With over 20 years of online learning experience, Lake Superior College online degree programs allow students to fit an education into a busy life. Students participating in online learning opportunities get the same support and resources as on-campus students.
Accreditation & Licensing
Lake Superior College is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
The online Associate of Arts is a liberal arts degree from Lake Superior College. This is a transfer degree, intended for individuals who want to transfer to a baccalaureate program at a four-year college or university. This liberal arts degree introduces students to a wide variety of courses as they complete general education requirements. The degree helps you decide on a career goal and an area to specialize in during your final two years of study in a bachelor’s degree program.
Students will take courses in the following areas:
- Mathematical and Logical Reasoning
- Natural Sciences & Sciences
- Humanities and Fine Arts
- Social and Behavioral
- Global Perspective
- Critical Thinking
- Human Diversity
- Communication
Lake Superior College offers an online degree in English, the Associate of Arts in English. This English degree serves as a pathway transfer degree. Students are prepared to enter an English bachelor’s degree program at a Minnesota State university. With this specially designed curriculum, students will enter the baccalaureate program with junior-year status. Courses include general education courses and English courses, including several different introductions to literary studies, World Literature, Environmental Literature, Creative Writing, Writing for Social Media, and more.
You will be able to enter different English degree programs, depending on the university chosen, including:
- English
- English Studies
- English Writing Emphasis
- English Literature Emphasis
- Rhetoric and Writing
- English Creative Writing Emphasis
Lake Superior College offers a transfer degree in History, the online Associate of Arts in History. This History degree serves as a pathway degree. Students are prepared to enter a History bachelor’s degree program at a Minnesota State university. With this specially designed curriculum, you will enter the baccalaureate program with junior-year status. This history degree allows students to enter either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree program, depending on the university chosen. This is a flexible program, allowing students to choose the courses they wish to take from available options to complete their degrees.
Lake Superior College offers an online pathway degree, the Associate of Fine Arts degree. This online art program, used as a pathway degree, allows students to transfer to a four-year institution and continue their educations. Graduates of this fine arts degree are prepared to enter a bachelor’s degree program with a junior-year status at a Minnesota State university and will have a foundation of art knowledge and skills. This specially designed curriculum ensures that all courses will transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field. You will complete courses in drawing, art history, sculpture design, digital art and design, photography, 3-D art, and more.
Students will learn to:
- Create, perceive, and respond to art
- Demonstrate advanced techniques of personal expression
- Think creatively and critically while problem solving
- Address concrete and abstract ideas
- Understand art in a historical context
Business
The online AAS in Accountant degree program from Lake Superior College prepares students for either successful entry into the job market upon graduation or for transfer into a baccalaureate program. Graduates possess a strong background in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, accounting theory, and accounting practices, as well as the ability to:
- Understand the laws, regulations, and codes of the accounting profession
- Analyze and properly record routine to advanced business transactions and appropriate adjusting journal entries using a variety of industry software
- Prepare and process closing entries
- Prepare routine to advanced formal financial statements
- Prepare and file routine to advanced payroll tax returns using industry software
- Prepare and file individual tax returns using industry software
- Analyze and interpret accounting records and prepare appropriate reports for management using industry software and spreadsheet programs
The online AS in Business Administration degree program from Lake Superior College is designed to both build working students' competencies to assist in career advancement as well as provide general education courses for those who intend to transfer into a baccalaureate program at a four-year institution. Coursework focuses on:
- Business administration concepts and tools
- Contemporary business strategies
- Use of analytical skills in identifying and solving problems
- Application of marketing, management, and economic concepts in a business setting
- Accounting principles and practices
- Financial management skills
- Administrative management skills
- Interpersonal communication skills
The online Bookkeeper Diploma program from Lake Superior College is designed to prepare students for careers in the bookkeeping and accounting fields. Courses emphasize:
- The double entry accounting system
- Federal income taxation
- Payroll taxation
- Computerized accounting systems
- Other computerized business applications
Graduates are prepared to sit for the Certified Bookkeeper Exam, a comprehensive examination administered by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
Computer Science & IT
The online Associate of Applied Science in Computer & Web Programming is designed to help students build the skills needed to do programming. Students will learn how to develop and maintain effective web sites, Windows and mobile applications. In this program, students will gain the skills to design, build and host a website, design and build a web application, create a computer or web program and develop interfaces between computer and web/application based programs.
Graduates will be prepared for positions such as, computer programmers, web designers, web developers in various industries.
The online Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration & Cybersecurity provides the knowledge of how to provide technical support for computer networks in business environments. Students will learn server and network engineer skills, hardware support skills and security essentials.
Graduates leave the program with the knowledge to get certified in CompTIA, Cisco CCENT, Microsoft MCP, or EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
The online Associate of Science in Business & Technology is available from Lake Superior College. This degree is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution to complete their studies. You will complete the first two years here, saving money and starting your studies in information technology, before entering a baccalaureate program. The curriculum combines general education courses with courses in business and technology.
Courses in this program include:
- Foundations of CIS
- A+ Core Hardware
- Communication in the Workplace
- Business Math
- CIS Technical Electives
The online Associate of Science in Computer Technology from Lake Superior College is a transfer degree. This program is designed to prepare students to continue their education at a four-year college or university. After completing your first two years at Lake Superior College, you will then take your credits and move to a baccalaureate program to complete your degree. Students will complete general education courses for half of the program and then choose a certificate to complete the second half of the required coursework.
The two certificate choices available are:
- Computer and web programming
- IT specialist: network administration
The online Certificate in Computer & Web Programming provides the skills to develop and maintain effective web sites, Windows and mobile applications. Instruction will be given on web design, how to build and host a web page and create a computer or web program.
The online Certificate in Network Administration & Security is designed for students to learn how to provide technical support for computer networks in business environments. Students will also learn server and network administrator skills, hardware support skills and security essentials.
Graduates will be prepared to test for certifications in CompTIA, Cisco CCENT, Microsoft MCP, or EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
The online Certificate in PC Support Technician program is available from Lake Superior College. This program helps students learn to provide troubleshooting and support for computers and printers. You will learn to provide hardware and operating system support for desktop and laptop computers and for printers. The curriculum covers hardware component installation and troubleshooting and operating systems installation and troubleshooting.
With this certification, graduates are prepared for careers including:
- Computer help desk specialist
- IT technician
- Printer technician
- Software installer
- User support specialist
The online Computer and Web Programming Diploma is designed for students to learn how to develop and maintain effective web sites, Windows and mobile applications.
Upon completion, students will be prepared for entry level positions in computer science in various industries.
The online Network Administration & Cybersecurity Diploma program from Lake Superior College prepares students to provide technical support for computer networks in business environments through lessons in server and network administration, hardware support, and security essentials. Graduates are also prepared to pursue the following certifications:
- CompTIA
- Cisco CCENT
- Microsoft MCP
- EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
You can learn to use the technology and software of a law office with the Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from Lake Superior College. The online paralegal degree covers such topics as:
- Business law
- Legal studies
- Civil litigation
- Criminal law and processing
Through the online paralegal associate’s degree program, you receive an education that prepares you to enter the legal profession. Graduates gain skills in communication, research, and writing.
You can pursue leadership roles with the Associate of Science in Fire Science & Administration from Lake Superior College. The online fire science degree provides a competitive edge as you seek career opportunities in this field.
Through the online fire science associate’s degree program, you gain professional and leadership skills. Graduates have experience in such fire prevention activities as:
- Inspection
- Preplanning
- Investigation
- Public fire education
You can prepare to work in computer networking and security with the certificate in Cyber Defense from Lake Superior College. The online cybersecurity program covers information found on such certification exams as:
- CompTIA NET+
- CompTIA Security+
- EC-Council Certified Ethical Haker
Through the online cybersecurity certificate program, you learn from a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (designated by the NSA and the Department of Homeland Security). Students may transfer into Lake Superiors diploma or AAS degree programs.
You can train in security concepts to protect operating systems with the Certificate in Cyber Security from Lake Superior College. The online cyber security program explores such topics as:
- Foundations of CIS
- Forensics and incident response
- Ethical hacking and systems defense
- Intrusion detection and prevention
Through the online cyber security certificate program, you learn to identify common security threats and implement countermeasures. Students learn best practices to harden operating systems.
You can become a legal assistant with the Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Lake Superior College. The online paralegal program explores such topics as:
- Client interaction
- Legal terminology
- State and federal court systems
- Legal document preparation
Through the online paralegal certificate program, you learn calendaring, billing, and organizing documents. Students also learn technology and software specific to law offices.
Engineering
The online Certificate in Production Technologist is available from Lake Superior College for those interested in careers within this field. This program aligns with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council’s (MSSC) assessment and certification, preparing students for this assessment. Upon completion of the courses for the certification, you will also have the skills and knowledge needed to pass the credentialing exam. The curriculum covers preventative maintenance and routine repair, continuous improvement, the proper safe use of equipment, and production processes.
Graduates are prepared for careers that include:
- Team assembler
- Production assistant
- Precision assembler
- Mechatronics/Robotics
- Metal and plastic processing
Lake Superior College offers an online Welding Technologist Diploma. The United States has a growing demand for skilled welders with current training to work in various business and manufacturing industries. The program is designed to help meet this need, providing skills that qualify students for intermediate welder or fabrication technologist positions. In addition, you can transfer the credits earned in this 32-credit diploma to the 65-credit Welding diploma.
Students will gain knowledge and skills in:
- Gas metal arc welding
- Tungsten inert gas TIG welding
- Flux cored arc welding
- Shielded metal arc welding
- OXY/Fuel welding processes