Non-Credit Programs at Foothill
About Our Non-Credit Programs
Foothill College offers free, tuition-free noncredit programs designed for skill-building, career training, and personal enrichment. Key areas include ESL, short-term vocational training, EMT/EMR certification, parenting education, and basic skills. These classes are non-transcriptable, open to the public (18+), and do not require formal prerequisites.
Foothill College offers non-credit classes and certificate programs at our main campus, Sunnyvale Center, and in our local communities.
- Non-credit classes are free — with no registration fee, proof of residency or prerequisites.
- Most non-credit classes are open entry and exit, and may be repeated as many times as needed to progress to the next level.
- Non-credit classes are a great choice if you are seeking self-improvement for increased literacy and job skills before or while taking for-credit college courses.
Non-Credit Program Information
To register for a non-credit class, you must be a Foothill student with a MyPortal
CWID login account.
- Apply for Admission to Foothill College.
- Register for classes in MyPortal.
- Note: Registration may be possible at the first class meeting if space is available.
- Non-credit classes are zero units and non-transcriptable, which means they do not show up on your transcript.
- However, courses that are part of a Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Competency may require minimum attendance and competency.
- There are no fees for the non-credit classes currently offered at Foothill College. (Student Fee Handbook, Legal Opinion 10-01, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, 2010)
- Students are responsible for purchasing required books and materials for non-credit classes, unless offered as part of a course or program.
Select a link to view our current schedule of classes for each non-credit program.
Non-Credit Program Class Schedules
- Adaptive Learning Community Based (ALCB).
- Basic Skills (NCBS).
- Biological & Health Sciences (NCBH).
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) (EMS 400) and EMT (EMS 401/401A and EMS 402/402A).
- English as a Second Language (NCEL).
- Language Arts (NCLA).
- Parenting Education (NCP).
- Short-Term Vocational (NCSV) —includes Geriatric Home Aid.
The Board of Governors for California Community Colleges established non-credit classes and programs to provide an "educational gateway" or a "portal to the future."
It serves as a key contributor to open access for students with diverse backgrounds and those seeking ways to improve their earning power, literacy skills and access to higher education.
For many, particularly immigrants or economically disadvantaged and low-skilled adults, it is the first point of entry into a college.
Contact UsESLL DepartmentAmy Sarver, Chair of ESLL Department sarveramy@fhda.edu |
