Contact Information

General Contact

Admissions Office

Financial Aid Office

FINANCIAL AID RATE

75%

STUDENT TEACHER RATIO

27:1

FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.

$2,926

Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students

Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid

Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition

School Map

Computer Programming Degree

The computer programming degree program at Pierce College prepares students to learn software installation, maintenance, and methods and procedures of software design and programming by focusing on the general writing and implementation of computerized programs of operating systems. Students who graduate from the computer programming degree program may pursue careers in IT technology, web development, database design, and more. Courses in the program include software design, program customization and linking, prototype testing, and troubleshooting. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer computer programming degrees.

Learn more by requesting information now!

Pierce College

1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington, CA

Los Angeles Pierce College, or Pierce College, is a two-year community college in Southern California. Located in Woodland Hills, a short drive from downtown Los Angeles, Pierce is one of nine colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District. Offering associate's degrees, occupational certificates and transfer programs in nearly 100 disciplines, Pierce serves thousands of students in the San Fernando Valley.

Situated on a 426-acre campus, Pierce offers state-of-the-art technology and facilities. The campus has a 226-acre farm on one side, which features an equestrian center and sustains small herds of cattle, sheep and goats. The campus includes a botanical garden and forest area, offering a beautiful setting for academic study in the metropolitan Los Angeles area.   The Pierce campus is a few short miles from attractions such as Universal Studios, Disney Studios and Hollywood.

The transfer study programs at Pierce College are very strong, and many Pierce students transfer into the University of California system, or the California State University system to complete their bachelor's degrees. The transfer rate for Pierce students is very strong, and a recent UCLA study showed that students from Pierce completed their degree at UCLA with a higher grade point average than students from other transfer colleges. In addition to its alliance with UCLA, Pierce College has alliances with UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Cal Tech and Cal State Northridge.

The faculty at Pierce is known for being very friendly, and class sizes are small, allowing for more individualized attention.  Pierce College provides excellent training for careers in technology, health care, entertainment, law enforcement and business, among others.

History

Los Angeles Pierce College was founded in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California in 1947. The College was originally called the Clarence W. Pierce School of Agriculture, for its founder, Clarence W. Pierce, M.D. The land for the school's campus was purchased by the Los Angeles City School District.

The original student body was comprised of all males who enrolled to study agriculture. As the San Fernando Valley became more populated, the need for a more comprehensive community college became apparent, and the college soon expanded its curriculum, changed its mission and its name.

Under the direction of John B. Sheperd, many new buildings were constructed and enrollment increased exponentially. In the new millennium, under the direction of Darroch Young, Pierce College expanded further, with renovation and construction of more buildings, and new instructional programs.

Academics

Pierce College established a 15-week semester plan, which has led to higher enrollment and better student retention. Pierce also offers two five-week summer sessions and one five-week winter session. This range of options for study allows students the opportunity to move through their curriculum at a more accelerated pace.

Colleges and Schools

The academic units at Pierce College are divided into departments and disciplines, rather than into colleges and schools. Academic departments range from Agriculture and Natural Resources, Art and Architecture to Management, Marketing or Mathematics.

Student Life

Students at Pierce College seeking more involvement on campus have just four student clubs or organizations to choose from, but those four are very active and regularly welcome new members. The student organizations include clubs for International Students, Student Government, and two Honor Societies: Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Gamma Sigma.

Student services at Pierce College include:

  • Assessment Center
  • Associated Students Organization
  • Athletics
  • Child Development Center
  • Counseling
  • Disabled Student Services
  • EOPS
  • Financial Aid and Scholarships
  • GAIN/CalWorks
  • Grades and Transcripts
  • Health Center
  • High School Outreach
  • International Students
  • Matriculation
  • Special Services
  • Student Grievances
  • Student Success Workshops
  • Transfer Center
  • Veterans FA & GI Bill

Traditions

The official school colors for Pierce College are red and black, with white as an accent color. The athletic teams are nicknamed the Pierce "Brahmas."

Athletics

The Pierce College "Brahmas" athletic teams compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball

Women's Sports:

  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball

Community Life

Most performances from the Pierce College theatre and dance departments are open to the public. There is also a community recreation center on the Pierce College campus, which also offers swimming lessons and a community Sports Camps for local kids.

Students Enrolled in the Computer Programming Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Pierce College has offered the following academic levels for students:

  • Less Than One Year Certificate
  • Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

 Graduates
Less Than One Year Certificate5
Associate's Degree12

Students by Gender (2019)

 Graduates
Male14
Female3

Students by Race (2019)

 Graduates
Hispanic3
White13
Multiple Races1

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Students who have completed the Computer Programming program at Pierce College, have entered into some of these more popular career paths listed below:

Computer Programmers

Description

Create, modify, and test the code, forms, and script that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software developers or other individuals. May assist software developers by analyzing user needs and designing software solutions. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

Software Developers, Applications

Description

Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers.

Software Developers, Systems Software

Description

Research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications. Set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements. May design embedded systems software. Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.

Web Developers

Description

Design, create, and modify Web sites. Analyze user needs to implement Web site content, graphics, performance, and capacity. May integrate Web sites with other computer applications. May convert written, graphic, audio, and video components to compatible Web formats by using software designed to facilitate the creation of Web and multimedia content.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Admission Requirements & Details

The admissions information below may give an overview of the students Pierce College accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP or college credits that may be transferred.

College Credits Accepted

  • Dual Credits
  • Life Experience Credits
  • AP Course Credits
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Academics & Student Services

Student Services

To help students and alumni, Pierce College may provide services like:

  • Online classes
  • Classes offered on nights and weekends
  • Remedial instructional courses
  • Counseling assistance
  • Work study style employment
  • Assisting students to find work
  • Child care

Intercollegiate Athletics

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo