Las Positas College currently enrolls approximately 8,100 day and evening students. The College offers a two-year curriculum for students seeking career preparation, transfer to a four-year college or university, or personal enrichment in a safe and welcoming atmosphere. Students who come to the College can choose any of 24 Occupational Associate Degrees, 16 Transfer Associate Degrees, and over 36 Certificate Programs. Academic rigor is maintained in a friendly, personal environment. Las Positas College faculty and staff are distinguished by their energy, creativity, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of the students they serve. The College has also developed a comprehensive educational master plan to address the rapid growth and needs of the community and student population. The 15,000-square-foot Physical Education complex, featuring a state-of-the-art gymnasium, opened its doors to students in Fall 2005. The Multi-Disciplinary Building, to be completed in 2007, will provide the College with more than 36,000-square-feet of classrooms, lecture and lab space. College expansion will continue with construction of the Center for the Arts, Child Development Center, Aquatics Center, Science Center expansion, and Soccer Fields. In addition, the College also offers students the opportunity to participate actively in the educational process, to make significant choices, and to achieve increasing self-direction in an atmosphere in which the freedom to create and to explore ideas is encouraged and supported. It supports an environment that provides educational programs, learning resources and student services to a culturally rich and diverse student population. The College is sensitive to students with varying needs, interests, physical abilities and learning differences or difficulties.
CALENDAR
The College operates on a traditional semester system and offers an optional summer session.
CERTIFICATES/DEGREES OFFERED
A.A., A.S., Certificates
MAJOR SUBJECTS
Administration of Justice, Art (Emphasis in Painting), Automotive Electronics Technology, Automotive Technician, Biology, Accounting Technician, Administrative Assistant, Business, Business Administration, Business Entrepreneurship, Business Workforce Proficiency, Retail Management, Marketing, Retailing, Supervisory Management, Chemistry, Computer Information Systems, Computer Applications Software (Microcomputers), Computer Networking Technology, Cisco Network Associate, Cisco Network Professional, Computer Network Technician, Computer Network Administration (Microsoft), Network Security and Administration, Computer Science, Computer Programming, Computer Programming for the Web, Early Childhood Development, Associate Teacher Certificate, Basic Teacher Certificate, Family Childcare, Electronics Technology, Electronics Telecommunications Systems, Engineering, Fire Service Technology, Horticulture, Humanities, Interior Design, International Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences (General), Mass Communications: Journalism, Music, Music-Beginning Piano Pedagogy, Music-Intermediate Piano Pedagogy, Occupational Safety and Health, Photography, Physical Education, Physical Education: Coaching, Physical Education: Sports Medicine, Physics, Psychology, Psychology/Counseling-Human Services, Science Technology, Social Science (General), Speech, Theater Arts, Vacuum Technology, Visual Communications, Viticulture, Enology, Viticulture and Enology, Welding Technology.
ENGLISH PROGRAMS
Las Positas College has a comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. It includes six levels of instruction: two semesters of beginning, two semesters of intermediate and two semesters of advanced courses. The program focuses on academic language skills: reading, writing, grammar, and listening and speaking. To complement the instructional program, the College provides assessment, counseling, orientation and special support services, such as tutoring for all ESL and International students.
TOTAL ENROLLMENT
Total: 8,100 students
NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
80
DEGREE/CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
To receive an Associate in Arts or Science Degree, students must complete the minimum of 60 semester units with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
A TOEFL score is required. (Minimum required 450 paper-based/133 computer-based/45 Internet-based or have completed the STEP Test with a score of Grade 2A or successfully completed intensive English Language Program.)
APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUESTED
Each applicant must provide the following:
- Standard Application for Admission
- Supplemental Application
- Bank Certification/Verification of Funds
- Health examination/TB Test
- International Student Agreement
- Non-refundable Filing Fee ($100.00)
- TOEFL Exam Results: (Minimum required 450 paper-based/133 computer-based/45 internet-based or have completed the STEP Test with a score of Grade 2A or successful completion of English Language coursework and/or training.)
- Evidence of financial support
- High School and University Transcripts (translated to English)
- Identification Photographs (2)
- A brief statement, written in your own handwriting, describing your reasons for wanting to study in the United States, your goals, and how you became interested in Las Positas College.
After arrival in the US, students must provide the following:
- Copy of Visa and I-94 card
- Proof of Medical Insurance
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Fall Semester: August 1, Spring Semester: December 1
TOTAL NUMBER OF FACULTY
100 full-time faculty; 250 adjunct faculty
STUDENT SERVICES
Numerous student support services have been established at Las Positas College to help students move towards the attainment of goals and add value to the college experience. These programs are designed to assist students in the decision making process by helping them identify and clarify personal, career, and educational goals. Students are encouraged to seek assistance for any issue that may be affecting their college career whether the concern is academic or nonacademic. The following offices and services are available at Las Positas College:
- Associated Students of Las Positas College (ASLPC)
- International Student Program
- Counseling Services
- Career Center
- Transfer Center
- Employment Center
- Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS)
- Financial Aid Information
- Student Health Center
- Assessment and Tutorial Center
HOUSING
Las Positas College does not offer on-campus housing; however, it has contracted with International Student Placement (ISP) to assist students in finding safe and affordable housing in a quality, pre-screened, host home. Las Positas College has made an agreement with California State University, East Bay (CSU-EB) that allows students to live in student housing located on the CSU-EB campus. Public transportation is available to and from campus. Contact the International Student Office for details and cost. Other types of arrangements can be found in the community, including shared housing and individual apartments/houses. The cost varies depending upon the type of housing chosen.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES
International Students will be invited to participate in an orientation prior to the beginning of their first semester. During the orientation, issues ranging from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, college requirements, college programs and services (such as Academic Honors Society, tutorial services and a mentoring program) and student life will be discussed. An International Student Academic Advisor will be available to provide students with educational and career goals. In addition, there are numerous student clubs and sports activities to enhance students' cultural experience. The International Student program is committed to making international students entire experience at Las Positas College as enjoyable and enriching as possible.
CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY
Climate: The San Francisco area experiences mild temperatures year-round with periods of rainfall during fall, winter, and spring seasons and sunshine during the rest of the summer months.
Geography: Nestled in the rolling hills of Livermore Valley, Las Positas College is a beautiful, friendly, safe campus. It is located 40 miles southeast of San Francisco, amid one of California's fastest growing regions for business, science, and technology. Gently rolling hills and picturesque vineyards provide the scenic background for the college's 147-acre campus. In addition, the college is in an ideal location to access many world-renowned sites such as Silicon Valley (San Jose), Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. The school's close proximity to the major Bay Area cities provides unique cultural opportunities including museums, libraries, art galleries, sports events and concerts.
TUITION AND OTHER EXPENSES
The following fees and expenses are per year (based on the minimum 12 units per semester):
Tuition $ 4,400
Term fees $44
Estimated Living Costs - per year (two semesters) are as follows:
Medical Insurance (cost depends on insurance company & level of coverage) $600
Books and Supplies $600 - $800
Rooms for rent $7,200
Total Estimated Expenses per academic year (two semesters) $13,044
REMARKS TO FOREIGN STUDENTS
Las Positas College is a public institution accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Educational institutions such as the California State University and University of California systems, and private universities and colleges give full credit for equivalent courses taken at Las Positas College. The college is authorized under Federal Law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. It also thrives as a teaching and learning community committed to integrity and excellence. To nourish this environment and the communities served, the college provides the following: promotes and celebrates lifelong learning, anticipates and meets the needs of the ever-changing workplace, demonstrates social and environmental responsibility, promotes tolerance and mutual respect in a diverse community, fosters a climate of discovery and creativity and holds firm the belief that each person makes an astonishing difference. Complementing its excellent academic programs are a variety of student support services designed to give International students the personal attention needed to help them succeed.
