Welcome To Cerritos College

The International Student Center welcomes you to attend Cerritos College. Cerritos College is a public two-year California educational institution accredited by the Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and welcomes students from around the world.

Why Attend Cerritos College?

Cerritos College, located near the beautiful Pacific Ocean and the majestic San Gabriel Mountains, offers the excitement of city life while maintaining a small town environment. We are surrounded by a variety of international communities that offer diverse activities and flavors that could provide you with a touch of home while you pursue your educational goals. The weather is mild throughout the year and outdoor activities can be enjoyed year around. Cerritos College, the most technologically advanced and diverse community college in California, provides you with an advanced educational program with faculty of the highest quality. Cerritos College will assist you in achieving your academic goals, whether it is transferring to top universities in California or seeking your Associate in Arts Degree.

Academic Programs

Cerritos College offers Associate of Arts and Transferring major degrees in 150 areas of study in eight divisions.

• Business Education
• Fine Arts and Communications (including design, music, theater, journalism, etc.)
• Health Occupations (including nursing, physical therapy, culinary arts, etc)
• Humanities
• Liberal Arts
• Physical Education
• Science and Mathematics (including computer science, pre-professional programs, etc.)
• Social Science

Many international students successfully complete their course of study each year and transfer to top Universities in California (the majority of our students transfer to both the University of California and California State University Systems), elsewhere in the United States or in their home countries. An International Student Counselor will be available to assist you in choosing your curriculum.

Orientation and Welcome Reception

All new students will attend an academic orientation before the semester begins. There will be an International Student Counselor available who will assist you with your class schedule. An International Student Orientation and Welcome Reception will be held within two weeks of the beginning of each fall and spring semester. Attendance is required and mailed invitations will indicate the time, date and location. You will have the opportunity to meet administrators, faculty members and fellow students.

The International Student Association

The International Student Association is an active organization that provides a forum to share cultures with others and opportunities to develop social and leadership skills. We invite representatives from various universities to tell you about transfer requirements, an immigration attorney to answer your immigration questions, and different campus representatives to guide you in your educational goals. The Association encourages international students to attend Leadership Conferences, assist in different cultural festivals, get involved in campus activities and apply for scholarships.

Student Life

The concept of "students first" is taken very seriously here at Cerritos College. You will have the opportunity to get involved on campus and gain leadership skills in such activities as student government, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Fraternity and numerous other student organizations. The International Student Center encourages outstanding international students to become International Peer Counselors to help guide new international students in adjusting to college life. Applications will be announced and will be available in the International Student Center. Students are also encouraged to participate in campus wide activities by cheering for or playing your favorite sport(s) on campus, which includes football, soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, swimming, etc.