Central Lakes College is a two-year community and technical college in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System with campuses in Brainerd and Staples. Central Lakes College in Brainerd includes courses in the liberal arts and sciences with an Associate in Arts degree and Minnesota Transfer Curriculum for transfers to a four-year college. It also offers Associate in Science degrees, and technical programs that have Associate in Applied Science degrees, diplomas and certificates to get them in the work world in a short amount of time. The college also includes many unique degrees such as Underwater Diving along with an assortment of "green" environmental and ecological courses. Central Lakes College is home of the Raiders. There is NJCAA Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Golf. There are also different clubs and organizations on campus. Staples community college is mostly technical programs with Associate in Applied Science degrees, Diplomas and Certifications including robotics, heavy equipment operation, photographic technology, and automotive technology as well as a smaller liberal arts program Associate in Arts. Formerly Part of 3 different colleges: Brainerd Community College, Brainerd Technical College, and Staples Technical College.
Academics
Programs Offered:
Liberal Arts and Sciences - Transfer Program - Associate in Arts Degree
Career Programs - Associate in Science Degree, Associate in Applied Science Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs
Central Lakes College offers over 70 programs, including Associate in Arts Honors degree. They have also expanded partnerships with area school districts and the business community. Central Lakes College in Brainerd collaborated with Southwest Minnesota State University to establish a 2 + 2 articulation agreement in Theatre Arts. Central Lakes College has been granted national accreditation for their concurrent enrollment programs from The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships. NACEP accreditation validates the quality of college courses offered in high schools and ensures that the course content and student expectations match the standards of the sponsoring post-secondary institution.
