LOS ANGELES PIERCE COLLEGE
6201 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, California 91371
Telephone: (818) 710-2511 or (818) 719-6417
Fax: (818) 347-8704 or (818) 710-2504
E-mail: intlstu@piercecollege.edu
Web site: www.piercecollege.edu

CHARACTERISTICS OF INSTITUTION

Los Angeles Pierce College is one of the leading community colleges in California offering students top-quality educational opportunities in a friendly, supportive environment. Established in 1947, Los Angeles Pierce College is a public, coeducational, two-year institution administered by the Los Angeles Community College District. Originally founded as an agricultural College, today Pierce College is best characterized by its broad range of associate degree, university transfer, occupational, and certificate programs. The College remains unique to the greater Los Angeles area because of its farm and its instructional programs in agriculture, natural resources management, animal health technology, and related fields. Special programs include PACE, the full-time Project for Accelerated College Education for working adults: the Pierce College Honors Program; Instructional Television courses; Pierce College Extension; and programs of international Education and Study Abroad. The International Students Office provides support and assistance in matters of importance to international students. All Pierce College students benefit from services including personal counseling, academic advising, tutoring, career and transfer counseling, food and health services and care for children of Pierce College students through the College's Child Development Center. Pierce College students participate in approximately 30 campus clubs and organizations including the International Students Club. Intercollegiate athletics and intramural sports are scheduled for both male and female students. The Los Angeles Pierce College campus features modern and comfortable administrative, classroom, theater, laboratory, athletic, and agricultural facilities situated in the western portion of the San Fernando Valley. Part of the College land has been set aside as a nature preserve. The area also serves as a feeding ground for large flocks of Canadian geese during the winter months.

CALENDAR

The Fall and Spring semesters are each 15-weeks in length. Five-week summer sessions are offered for continuing students only. Classes are offered Monday through Friday. Saturday and evening classes are also available.

CERTIFICATES/DEGREES OFFERED

A.A., A.S., Certificates

MAJOR SUBJECTS

Addiction Studies, Agriculture: Agriculture Business, Floral Design and Management, General Agriculture, Horse Science, Horticulture (Basic Gardening, General Horticulture, Greenhouse and Nursery Industry, Landscape Installation and Maintenance Industry, Landscape Planning and Design, Landscape Technician, Professional Gardening), Natural Resource Management, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Technology; American Sign Language Interpreting, Anatomy and Physiology. Anthropology, Architecture: Architecture Technology; Art: Fine Arts, Graphic Design. Biology: Biotechnology, Field Biology, General Biology, Marine Biology Microbiology; Business Administration: Accounting (Payroll Accounting, Small Business Accounting, Tax Preparation), Finance, General Business, International Business, Management and Supervision, Management, Small Business Entrepreneur, Marketing; Child Development: Preschool Teacher, Associate teacher, preschool Certificate, Director Preschool, Infant Care Teacher, School Age Programs Teacher; Cinema; Computer Applications and Office Technologies: General Administrative, Legal Office Procedures, Professional Secretary Basic Computerized Accounting, Basic Computer Applications, Advanced Computer Applications, Basic Word Processing-WordPerfect, Basic Word Processing-Microsoft Word, Office Communications; Computer Science: Programming for Business (Microcomputers and Small Business Systems, Microcomputer Specialist), Programming for Computer Science, Computer and Network Technology (Microcomputer Service Technology, Website Development and Administration, Web Document Design and Development); Electronics: Digital Option, Communications Option, Analog Option, English as a Second Language; French; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Geography; Industrial Technology: Automotive Service Technology (Automotive Light Service Technician, Automotive Specialist), Drafting-Mechanical (Basic Drafting-Mechanical), Numerical Control programming (Machine Shop Technology, CNC Operator, CNC Programming), Basic Welding; Italian; Journalism; Latin American Studies: Mexican Studies; Liberal Arts and Science; Mathematics; Meteorology; Music: Electronic Music; Nursing; Photojournalism; Physics; Pre-Engineering; Psychology; Spanish; Theater: Costume Option, Technical Theater Option

TOTAL ENROLLMENT

20,000

NUMBER OF FOREIGN STUDENTS

Fall 2007 Enrollment: 250

ENTRANCE TESTS REQUIRED

International students wishing to enter regular academic programs must show proof of English proficiency such as results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent examination results when applying to the college (current minimums are 450/133/45 on TOEFL).

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

To receive the specified associate degree, students must successfully complete 60 units of course credit with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all coursework attempted. Students may also transfer to a university to complete a Bachelors degree after completing 60 units of specified coursework on campus. Counseling and advisement is available upon arrival. See our web site for graduation plans and transfer requirements.

CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE

Under special situations. Please contact school for more information.

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUESTED

Completed International Student Application Form, official proof of high school graduation/transcripts from all schools/colleges attended with certified English translations, Non-refundable processing fee (US currency). Completed Financial Affidavit, Proof of English proficiency.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Fall Semester: see school Web site
Spring Semester: see school Web site

TOTAL NUMBER OF FACULTY

Over 650 faculty (full-time and part-time)

ENGLISH PROGRAMS

International students must complete campus Assessment tests in English and Mathematics upon arrival. Course placement is determined after this testing. The College requires English as a Second Language classes for students who need to improve their English skills, before enrolling in university level courses.

PROGRAMS FOR SPOUSES

Spouses of Pierce College students are welcome to attend non-credit classes part-time if they meet all admission and financial requirements. F-2 students will require a separate SEVIS I-20 document and additional financial support.

CHILD CARE FACILITIES

The Campus Child Development Center provides quality preschool programs to children of Pierce College students and functions as a field site for adult students studying. Child Development and related fields. For additional information please call (818) 719-6494.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Our staff is committed to helping International students reach their educational goals. Students are provided with orientation to the college, academic counseling, transfer planning and advisement on visa requirements and regulations.

HOUSING

International Students live in apartments close to campus or rent rooms in houses within the community. The International Students Program Office maintains limited rental listings. The College does not recommend or inspect accommodations and assumes no responsibility. In addition, there are Homestay programs in the area where students may choose to live with local families. See our website for referrals.

CLIMATE & GEOGRAPHY

Climate: The western portion of the San Fernando Valley experiences mild temperatures and periods of rain during the winter and spring months with generally hot, dry temperatures during the summer and early fall seasons.
Geography: The Los Angeles Pierce college campus is located on 427 acres in the western San Fernando Valley in Southern California. Besides classrooms and laboratories, the College maintains special facilities to supplement its educational and extracurricular programs. Athletic facilities include a modern library, Learning Center, writing and mathematics laboratories, Career Center, Campus Center, cafeteria and Performing Arts Center.

FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Tuition: see school Web site.

REMARKS TO FOREIGN STUDENTS

International Education is a major undertaking of Pierce College. The College seeks to foster mutual respect and understanding for the diversity of cultures, languages and ideas of students from around the world. Pierce College provides a superior curriculum, extensive support services, and a variety of enriching activities and resources to international student. Los Angeles Pierce Colleges extends a warm welcome to international students and encourages them to apply.

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

International Student Office (I)
Los Angeles Pierce College
6201 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91371
U.S.A.
Telephone: (818) 710-2511 or (818) 719-6417
Fax: (818) 347-8704 or (818) 710-2504
E-mail: intlstu@piercecollege.edu
Web site: www.piercecollege.edu