Students can find a variety of colleges without leaving East County San Diego
Students can find a wide variety of higher education institutions without leaving East County San Diego. Whether the goal is a traditional 4-year degree, a more personal community college experience, or greater specialization, many bases are covered by the selection of colleges in East County.
Four Year Colleges
The area's largest college by far is San Diego State University (SDSU), located on Campanile Drive near the border of East and Central San Diego. Boasting seven separately themed colleges, SDSU offers 84 different bachelor's degrees. This school offers a comprehensive student life including on-campus housing, extracurricular activities and NCAA Division I sports with the Aztecs teams.
National University's campus in La Mesa is another option for students seeking associates or bachelor's degrees. Programs are offered in the schools of business, education, engineering and technology and liberal arts. Much of the curriculum is integrated with the school's online classroom and there are over 30 locations throughout California and Nevada, making this one a good choice for students seeking flexibility.
Community Colleges
The East County area of San Diego also offers community colleges for students seeking two-year degrees or a stepping stone for a transfer to a four-year institution. Grossmont College in El Cajon is part of the California Community College System, which makes it easy for students to transfer to the California State University or University of California systems. Campus life does not include student housing, but student organizations including a radio station, theater group, and student newspaper are available. Also in El Cajon is Cuyamaca College, which offers 49 degree and 46 certificate programs. Cuyamaca in an increasingly popular option, with over 9,000 students enrolled and a projected 15,000 by 2015. Additionally, the college has begun major facility upgrades as part of the 2002 passage of Proposition R.
Colleges With Religious Affiliations
Those students seeking a Christian education in East County San Diego have a couple of top choices. San Diego Christian College in El Cajon provides students with a liberal arts education that offers Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The school does offer on campus housing and several spiritual student activities, including worship bands, local church involvement and a student ministry. Students seeking a career in religion can attend the Southern California Seminary in El Cajon. The seminary offers seven degrees across three fields of study in three languages. The school's accreditation is from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
Technical and Professional Schools
More specialized and trade-focused education is available from one of the area's technical colleges. The Technical Professional Career College in Spring Valley is a non-profit institute focused on the construction and technical fields. Expedited courses of study are available in computer aided drafting (CAD), optical networking, construction management assistance and more. Students receive real world assignments as part of their course curriculum, and may receive training voucher scholarships as a reward for community involvement and high scores on skills exams.
Platt College San Diego is focused on graphic arts and offers study in courses of 3D animation, digital video production, and both graphic and web design. Located on El Cajon Boulevard, this school features an average class size of 28 at the associate level and 20 in the specialized areas. Campus facilities are frequently updated with the latest software and equipment. The school's career services department has helped place students at jobs with Pixar, Dreamworks, and Lionsgate Films, among others.
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