College of the Desert

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College of the Desert is one of the 110 community colleges in California and a vital part of the world’s largest system of higher education. The California Community College System serves some 2.5 million students each year. Each of the colleges has its own governing district, of which there are 72 statewide – some districts have more than one college. The governing body of College of the Desert is the Desert Community College District, which has five elected members on its Board of Trustees.

About College of the Desert

COD is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and approved by the California State Department of Education. The college was founded in 1958 and opened its doors for the first time in September 1962. COD had 11,468 students enrolled in the Fall Semester of 2008.

As a two-year college, COD offers transfer students an affordable option for starting college and transferring to a four-year institution. College of the Desert is the number one source of transfer students to California State University at San Bernardino. COD also offers a number of popular vocational and technical programs, including Nursing and Health Sciences, Digital Design and Production, Turf Grass Management & Ornamental Horticulture, Advanced Transportation Technologies, Culinary Arts, and a full range of Administration of Justice Courses at the new Public Safety Academy training facility.

Mission:

College of the Desert provides excellent educational programs and services that contribute to the success of our students and the vitality of the communities we serve.

Vision:

College of the Desert will be a center of collaborations and innovations for educational enrichment, economic development and quality of life in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.

Accreditation:

College of the Desert is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 10 Commercial Blvd., Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949 , (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.