Western Career College
Encyclopedia
Carrington College California, formerly known as Western Career College, is a privately held, for-profit
institution of higher education
. Carrington College California, along with co-operating division Carrington College, is operated by Carrington Colleges Group, Inc., a subsidiary of DeVry Inc. Carrington College focuses on training students for work in the health care industry, although it has programs in several other disciplines. It has nine campuses throughout the state of California
, and it also offers online programs
.
, as the Northwest College of Medical Assistants and Dental Assistants. The college was established to meet the education needs of the local healthcare community.
In 1969, the College was purchased and underwent its first name change, to "Western College of Allied Health Careers – A Bryman School." The Education Corporation of America (“EdCOA, Inc.”) purchased the college in 1983 and changed its name to "Western Career College." In 1986, WCC opened a second campus in the Bayfair Center
in San Leandro, California
. The third campus opened in 1997 in Pleasant Hill, California
.
WCC earned accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
in June 2001. ACCJC-WASC approved a change of ownership in January 2003. The following February, the U.S. Education Corporation
’s purchase of WCC was finalized. The College then opened two additional campuses, one in Citrus Heights
and one in Stockton
. After submitting a substantive change report to ACCJC-WASC, both locations were approved in December 2003.
The College expanded in August 2005 by merging the operations and programs of Silicon Valley College (SVC) with Western Career College. SVC was owned by U.S. Education and was nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
(ACCSCT). This merger expanded college locations to Antioch (originally in Walnut Creek), Emeryville and San Jose. The Fremont location of SVC was merged with the WCC San Jose location shortly after the college merger. The ACCJC-WASC re-accreditation process was completed in March 2007 and accreditation was reaffirmed in June 2008.
George Montgomery, the U.S. Education Corporation's president and chief executive officer, brokered a deal under which the company was acquired by DeVry Inc. in September 2008.
In 2010, Western Career College changed its name to Carrington College California. This was a rebrand
ing intended to align it with Apollo College, also owned by DeVry, which was simultaneously rebranded as Carrington College. DeVry announced the name changes in March 2010; they took effect on June 30, 2010.
The enrollment of new students in the Carrington Colleges declined in 2010 by 19 percent – more than DeVry had anticipated. The total enrollment in the college group also fell, with the number of total students placed at 10,942 in December 2010.
Montgomery is retiring at the end of 2011; he will be succeeded as president of the Carrington Colleges Group by Robert Paul, DeVry University's vice president for metro operations.
Programs offered online include: Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, General Studies, Graphic Design, Health Care Administration, Medical Billing and Coding, and Sales and Marketing.
Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education, Carrington College California is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and College.
For-Profit School
For-profit education refers to educational institutions operated by private, profit-seeking businesses....
institution of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
. Carrington College California, along with co-operating division Carrington College, is operated by Carrington Colleges Group, Inc., a subsidiary of DeVry Inc. Carrington College focuses on training students for work in the health care industry, although it has programs in several other disciplines. It has nine campuses throughout the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and it also offers online programs
Distance education
Distance education or distance learning is a field of education that focuses on teaching methods and technology with the aim of delivering teaching, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom...
.
History
Western Career College (WCC) was founded in 1967 in Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, as the Northwest College of Medical Assistants and Dental Assistants. The college was established to meet the education needs of the local healthcare community.
In 1969, the College was purchased and underwent its first name change, to "Western College of Allied Health Careers – A Bryman School." The Education Corporation of America (“EdCOA, Inc.”) purchased the college in 1983 and changed its name to "Western Career College." In 1986, WCC opened a second campus in the Bayfair Center
Bayfair Center
The Bayfair Center is a regional shopping mall located in San Leandro, California. It was formerly known as the Bay Fair Mall until 2004. It is currently anchored by Macy's, Target, Kohl's, Bed Bath and Beyond, Old Navy and Staples, along with an external Century Theatres multiplex...
in San Leandro, California
San Leandro, California
San Leandro is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is considered a suburb of Oakland and San Francisco. The population was 84,950 as of 2010 census. The climate of the city is mild throughout the year.-Geography and water resources:...
. The third campus opened in 1997 in Pleasant Hill, California
Pleasant Hill, California
Pleasant Hill is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States, in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 33,152 at the 2010 census. It was incorporated in 1961...
.
WCC earned accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
in June 2001. ACCJC-WASC approved a change of ownership in January 2003. The following February, the U.S. Education Corporation
U.S. Education Corporation
Carrington Colleges Group, Inc., formerly the U.S. Education Corporation, is a company based in Mission Viejo, California that acquires and develops for-profit private colleges and schools in the United States. Subsidiaries include Carrington College and Carrington College California...
’s purchase of WCC was finalized. The College then opened two additional campuses, one in Citrus Heights
Citrus Heights, California
Citrus Heights is a city in Sacramento County, California, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 83,301, down from 85,071 at the 2000 census....
and one in Stockton
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
. After submitting a substantive change report to ACCJC-WASC, both locations were approved in December 2003.
The College expanded in August 2005 by merging the operations and programs of Silicon Valley College (SVC) with Western Career College. SVC was owned by U.S. Education and was nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is an organization in the United States that provides accreditation to non-university postsecondary colleges. Based in Arlington, Virginia, it is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a private, non-profit, independent...
(ACCSCT). This merger expanded college locations to Antioch (originally in Walnut Creek), Emeryville and San Jose. The Fremont location of SVC was merged with the WCC San Jose location shortly after the college merger. The ACCJC-WASC re-accreditation process was completed in March 2007 and accreditation was reaffirmed in June 2008.
George Montgomery, the U.S. Education Corporation's president and chief executive officer, brokered a deal under which the company was acquired by DeVry Inc. in September 2008.
In 2010, Western Career College changed its name to Carrington College California. This was a rebrand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
ing intended to align it with Apollo College, also owned by DeVry, which was simultaneously rebranded as Carrington College. DeVry announced the name changes in March 2010; they took effect on June 30, 2010.
The enrollment of new students in the Carrington Colleges declined in 2010 by 19 percent – more than DeVry had anticipated. The total enrollment in the college group also fell, with the number of total students placed at 10,942 in December 2010.
Montgomery is retiring at the end of 2011; he will be succeeded as president of the Carrington Colleges Group by Robert Paul, DeVry University's vice president for metro operations.
Academics
Carrington College California offers the following certification and/or degree programs.- Architectural and Design Drafting – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Criminal Justice – Associate Degree
- Dental Assisting – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Dental Hygiene – Associate Degree
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Fitness Training – Certificate
- Graphic Design – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Health Care Administration – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Massage Therapy – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Medical Assisting – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Medical Billing and Coding – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Pharmacy Technology – Associate Degree
- Registered Nursing LVN to RN – Associate Degree
- Respiratory Care – Associate Degree
- Surgical Technology – Certificate, Associate Degree
- Veterinary Technology – Associate Degree
- Vocational Nursing – Certificate, Associate Degree
Locations
Carrington College California home office is located in Sacramento, Calif. The nine California campuses are located:- Antioch, CaliforniaAntioch, CaliforniaAntioch is a city in Contra Costa County, California. Located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area along the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta, it is a suburb of San Francisco and Oakland. The city's population was 102,372 at the U.S...
(Programs offered: Criminal Justice, Dental Assisting, Health Care Administration, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technology, Veterinary Technology and Vocational Nursing) - Citrus Heights, CaliforniaCitrus Heights, CaliforniaCitrus Heights is a city in Sacramento County, California, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 83,301, down from 85,071 at the 2000 census....
(Programs offered: Criminal Justice, Dental Assisting, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Care Administration, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technology, Surgical Technology and Veterinary Technology) - Emeryville, CaliforniaEmeryville, CaliforniaEmeryville is a small city located in Alameda County, California, in the United States. It is located in a corridor between the cities of Berkeley and Oakland, extending to the shore of San Francisco Bay. Its proximity to San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, the University of California, Berkeley, and...
(Programs offered: Criminal Justice, Graphic Design, Health Care Administration, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding and Pharmacy Technology) - Pleasant Hill, CaliforniaPleasant Hill, CaliforniaPleasant Hill is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States, in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 33,152 at the 2010 census. It was incorporated in 1961...
(Programs offered: Criminal Justice, Dental Assisting, Fitness Training, Health Care Administration, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technology, Respiratory Care and Veterinary Technology) - Pomona, CaliforniaPomona, California-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
(Programs offered: Medical Assisting and Veterinary Technology) - Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento, CaliforniaSacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
(Programs offered: Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Health Care Administration, Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, Registered Nursing, Veterinary Technology and Vocational Nursing) - San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
(Programs offered: Architectural and Design Drafting, Criminal Justice, Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Graphic Design, Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, Surgical Technology, Veterinary Technology and Vocational Nursing) - San Leandro, CaliforniaSan Leandro, CaliforniaSan Leandro is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is considered a suburb of Oakland and San Francisco. The population was 84,950 as of 2010 census. The climate of the city is mild throughout the year.-Geography and water resources:...
(Programs offered: Criminal Justice, Dental Assisting, Health Care Administration, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technology, Veterinary Technology and Vocational Nursing) - Stockton, CaliforniaStockton, CaliforniaStockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
(Programs offered: Criminal Justice, Dental Assisting, Health Care Administration, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technology and Veterinary Technology)
Programs offered online include: Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, General Studies, Graphic Design, Health Care Administration, Medical Billing and Coding, and Sales and Marketing.
Accreditation
Carrington College California is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education, Carrington College California is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and College.