Alamo Colleges traces its origins to 1945 and the creation of the San Antonio Union Junior College District. In 1946, the district assumed control of San Antonio Junior College and St. Philip's Junior College. The district was renamed to the San Antonio Community College District in 1978 and the Alamo Community College District in 1982. As of 2011, the district oversees five colleges, and since 2009 they have been know collectively as the Alamo Colleges.
The Alamo Colleges system includes San Antonio, St. Philip's, Palo Alto, Northeast Lakeview, and Northwest Vista colleges. Tracing its roots to 1889, St. Philip's is the oldest college and is the only institution to be federally designated as both a historically Black college and a Hispanic-serving college. Established in 1925, San Antonio College is one of the largest single-campus community colleges in Texas and the United States. With the exception of Northeast Lakeview, all colleges are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The five members of Alamo Colleges confer associate degrees, certificates, and licensures in occupational programs. The college are also offer arts and science courses leading to associate degrees that also allow students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Open admission is provided to students with a high school diploma, general education development (GED) tests, or equivalent.
In the 2010-2011 academic year, 213 arts and applied-sciences programs leading to associate degrees were offered at the Alamo Colleges' five member institutions. In the same academic year, 246 certificate programs were available at the colleges in a variety of technical and academic disciplines. Courses are offered with day, evening, and weekend classes, as well as through distance education, online education and "telecourses."