The curriculum in this program is designed prepare students to be teachers and caregivers for young children ages 0-8 and to provide the transfer student an opportunity to achieve an Associate Degree for Transfer in Early Childhood Education by providing the necessary breadth in the field aligned to state and national standards, an introduction to the methods used, and the ability to complete both major preparatory coursework along with courses required for general education. Developmental and learning theory and strategies related to the unique care and education needs of young children will be studied and applied. Family collaboration and culturally responsive practice will be emphasized. Students who complete this degree meet the educational requirements for the Teacher level of the Child Development Permit. Students who complete this degree receive priority admission to the California State University system, though admission to a specific campus is not guaranteed. While an associate degree may support attempts to gain entry-level employment or promotion, a baccalaureate or higher degree is recommended for those considering professional careers, which can be achieved through transfer.

The Creative Writing Associate of Arts degree program is designed to provide the transfer student the opportunity to achieve an Associate degree. While a baccalaureate or higher degree can be attained in majors related to this field, earning the Associate degree would enable students to develop skill and creativity along with critical judgment of literary forms as they compose their own nonfiction, short stories, novels, poems, and plays in Saddleback's creative writing courses. Students earning the Creative Writing Associate of Arts degree may transfer into degree programs such as: Creative Writing, English, English Literature, and English Education.

The curriculum in the Chinese program is designed to provide the student the opportunity to achieve an Associate of Arts in Chinese degree by providing the necessary breadth in the field. Students who complete the Associate of Arts Degree in Chinese will have more opportunities in government business, medicine, law, technology, industry, marketing and other related fields.

A Chinese degree provides students with more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different, teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature, appreciation of other ways of life, different systems of belief, and different ways of constructing knowledge, and, perhaps most importantly, a better understanding of the world in which they live and leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity. The curriculum in the Chinese program is designed to provide the student the opportunity to achieve an Associate of Arts (AA) in Chinese degree.

The curriculum in the Arabic program is designed to provide the student the opportunity to achieve an Associate of Arts in Arabic degree by providing the necessary breadth in the field. Students who complete the Associate of Arts Degree in Arabic will have more opportunities in government business, medicine, law, technology, industry, marketing and other related fields.

An Arabic degree provides students with more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different, teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature, appreciation of other ways of life, different systems of belief, and different ways of constructing knowledge, and, perhaps most importantly, a better understanding of the world in which they live and leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity. The curriculum in the Arabic program is designed to provide the student the opportunity to achieve an Associate of Arts (AA) in Arabic degree.

The curriculum in the Anthropology program is designed to provide the transfer student the opportunity to achieve an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree in anthropology by providing the necessary breadth in the field and an introduction to the methods used. Students who complete the AA-T degree in Anthropology receive priority admission to the California State University system, though admission to a specific campus or major is not guaranteed. While a baccalaureate or higher degree, which can be achieved through transfer, is recommended for those considering professional careers in anthropology, an associate degree may support attempts to gain entry-level employment as lab technicians, research assistants, museum workers, cultural resource conservators, and other related positions.

Anthropology is a diverse discipline that investigates the biological and cultural life of human beings across time and place. An anthropology degree provides students with an appreciation of other ways of life and a better understanding of the world in which they live. The curriculum in the Anthropology program is designed to provide the transfer student the opportunity to achieve an Associate of Arts (AA) in Anthropology degree by providing the necessary breadth in the field and an introduction to the methods used. While a baccalaureate or higher degree, which can be achieved through transfer, is recommended for those considering professional careers in anthropology, an associate degree may support attempts to gain entry-level employment as lab technicians, research assistants, museum workers, cultural resource conservators, and other related positions.

The Nursing Program at Saddleback College offers a curriculum that qualifies the graduate to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The program provides graduates with the education necessary to become competent entry level registered nurses, to obtain employment in a variety of settings, and to provide quality patient centered care.

The Nursing Program offers evidence-based theory and clinical nursing courses that build upon a foundation of biological, psychological, and social sciences, as well as communication skills, and critical thinking, to prepare competent entry level professional registered nurses. The ADN Program focuses on a strong medical surgical foundation, and the application of nursing process across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings to deliver high quality health care. Leadership skills and lifelong learning are emphasized as the nurse takes on the role of the professional RN.

The Paramedic program is designed to prepare the student for licensure as a Paramedic. It is an intense, full-time program consisting of lecture, skills lab, clinical practice, and field internship. Students are provided with the didactic, psychomotor, and affective domains needed to perform the duties as a Paramedic in the community. By successful completion of the program, students will have direct contact with the community by providing emergency care to the sick and injured in emergency situations. Students must possess a current EMT license. Students must meet current clinical placement requirements found on the program’s webpage to be admitted to the program. The Saddleback College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

The Nutrition program prepares students for a wide variety of employment opportunities involving the applications of fundamentals of normal nutrition. Employment possibilities include public agencies, day-care centers for the young and the elderly, food co-ops, recreation work, pregnancy clinics, education (such as preschool and elementary school), health clubs, gym and figure salons, health food stores and nutritional supplement sales, and drug abuse clinics. The program offers coursework for professional improvement, and some courses can be utilized as transfer courses for students pursuing a Bachelor's degree.

Students who complete the Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer degree will receive priority admission to the California State University system, though admission to a specific campus is not guaranteed. While an associate degree may support attempts to gain entry-level employment or promotion, a baccalaureate or higher degree is recommended for those considering professional careers, which can be achieved through transfer.

The Nutrition Associate of Science degree prepares students for a wide variety of employment opportunities involving the applications of fundamentals of nutrition. Employment possibilities include public agencies, day‐care centers for the young and the elderly, food co‐ops, recreational programs, pregnancy and weight management clinics, school food service, nutrition education programs in schools, health clubs, gyms and figure salons, health food and supplement stores, hospitals, nutritional supplement sales, and rehabilitation programs. The program also offers coursework for professional improvement.

By completing the Nutrition degree, students will be trained to relate nutrition to health, fitness and disease; to critically assess and apply research in the area of nutritional sciences; to apply current dietary guidelines and nutrition recommendations for good health; to interpret and analyze nutrition labeling; to identify the function, deficiencies, toxicities and sources of nutrients; to identify causes and solutions to obesity and eating disorders; to identify causes and prevention of foodborne illness; to identify food‐based solutions to dietary inadequacies; and to compare nutritional needs throughout the life cycle.