West Los Angeles College

Also known as West LA College

300 Cherry Lane, Coalinga, CA

West Los Angeles College, located in Los Angeles, California, was founded in 1969 and is one of nine colleges that comprise the Los Angeles Community College District, and one of 112 colleges that comprise the California Community College System.

WLAC offers higher education and vocational education opportunities for residents living in the areas of Marina Del Ray, Culver City, Greater West Los Angeles, and other nearby area. The school serves over 10,000 students annually as part of its mission to provide high quality education and services to residents of its service area.

Academics

West Los Angeles College offers a variety of programs aimed at providing transfer options or vocational/technical training in order to meet the needs of potential students and assist them in achieving their goals. Academic transfer programs allow students to pursue educational opportunities at colleges and universities through the completion of a curriculum that mirrors the freshman and sophomore years of such schools.  It is recommended that students apply for transfer to complete the final two years of their education to earn a bachelor's degree.

Students applying for transfer to CSU or UC system schools will find transfer made easier through agreements in place that guarantee admission of certain academic prerequisites are met. Transfer to out of state or private institutions will require varying requirements to be met and as such it is advised that students meet with a counselor prior to their first semester in order to plan a curriculum that best meets one's goals.

Vocational and technical programs provide students with the option to receive an education that assists in obtaining long term employment in a specialized area. Such programs provide students with the skills and education necessary to enter the workforce in a given area or industry through traditional and practical courses taught by veterans of the respective industry.

Practical courses in particular will be taught by professionals ensuring that training is approached with safety while assuring that it mirrors real life situations. Programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a certificate or degree based on the type of program pursued.

Programs offered include:

• Biology
• Business Administration
• Computer Systems
• Communications
• History

Admissions and Financial Aid

West Los Angeles College maintains an open enrollment policy that allows students to enroll easily if they are at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Submission of an application, previous records, and payment of fees is required before a student may register for classes. Prior to registration students are encouraged to participate in orientation and to meet with a counselor. Additionally, new students may be required to take a placement exam.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships which are awarded based on need as determined through the applicant's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used by the financial aid office to determine need and program eligibility when constructing the aid packet. Aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year, and should be submitted prior to posted deadlines in order to ensure that funds are disbursed in a timely fashion.