Catawba Valley Community College is a fully accredited college that awards Associate Degrees in Applied Science (AAS) and one year diplomas upon the successful completion of a program of study in the Business, Engineering Technology, Environmental and Life Sciences, Health and Human Resources, and Industrial Technology Divisions. The Associate in Arts, Associate in Engineering or Associate in Science degree is awarded to graduates of the college transfer program.
 
Diplomas are awarded in technical programs. Upon completion of a vocational program of study one or more years in length, CVCC grants a diploma in the major area of training. Program certificates are awarded in curricula where the curriculum provides for skill-training subjects only.
 
Legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age, or who are high school/GED® graduates, may attend CVCC classes on a full or part-time basis during the day or evening, after they have completed the enrollment process. Under certain circumstances, high school students who qualify for the Career and College Promise program may attend CVCC.
 
Courses in CVCC's transfer programs will transfer to four-year colleges and universities, as well as to other community and technical colleges.