San Diego Miramar College (SDMC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

San Diego Miramar College is located on a 120-acre campus just outside San Diego, CA. It originally opened its doors in 1969 as a firefighter and law enforcement personnel training facility. As a result, Miramar College is home to the Advanced Transportation and Energy Center, the Southern California Biotechnology Center, and the San Diego Regional Public Safety Institute. In addition to firefighters and law enforcement officers, SDMC also trains EMTs and offers the only open-water lifeguard degree in the world.

San Diego Miramar College’s mission is to “prepare students to succeed in a changing world within an environment that values excellence in learning, teaching, innovation, and diversity.” Miramar College is inviting and accessible to students of all ages, backgrounds, and aspirations. It is the hub of diversity, recreation, services to the community, and a rich education to all who step on campus everyday.

Videos

Information Summary

Ranks 224th in California and 2512th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	56.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$2,998
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	24 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	74% / 39%
Enrollment Total (all students)	15,893

Academics

Students at San Diego Miramar College can earn associate degrees or career training certificates. Comprehensive transfer programs are also available for students wishing to eventually enroll at the University of California, California State University, or any four-year private institution.

At San Diego Miramar College, an Associate in Arts degree is awarded in the humanities, arts, social sciences and other similar disciplines. Associate in Science degrees are awarded in engineering, biological and physical sciences, as well as other occupational curricula.

One unique offering that SDMC has for students is the Basic Skills Institute. This program was designed because Miramar College officials recognize that many community college students need pre-collegiate Math and/or English skill development. As a result, SDMC provides students with support, partnered with all the California Community Colleges, to make sure students have access to programs, services, and appropriate classes to help them succeed in their educational endeavors. As part of the Basic Skills Initiative, students benefit from:

Online tutoring
Supplemental instruction for math students
An ESOL/English lab
Instructional Assistants for ESOL/English students
Child Development course tutoring
Counseling

Tutoring services can also be found at SDMC’s The PLACe. At The PLACe, students are able to study on their own in a quiet environment, work with a tutor, hone their study skills, or use their computers and/or wireless services. This personal learning assistance center is designed to provide quality academic services without any judgment. They “believe that all students who walk into The PLACe are unique and deserve to have their learning goals identified, to receive an understandable plan for improvement that is adapted to the student’s learning needs as well as timely feedback of academic growth.”

Most Popular Fields of Study

Gallery

Admissions

San Diego Miramar College is open to anyone who meets certain criteria and would like to pursue their education beyond high school or a GED. Hence, prospective students are required to have either a GED score or high school diploma before they can gain entrance to college. High school students may participate in dual enrollment courses and can be admitted as special part-time students. Transfer students must submit a transcript from their previous institution of higher education.

An electronic application form can be found online if students are interested in attending San Diego Miramar College. Math and English placement tests are recommended prior to enrollment in any courses in those subject areas. It is also important for students to “attend” orientation online. There is a short quiz and results will be forwarded to the counseling office.

Financial Aid

All financial aid students at San Diego Miramar College need to apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The form is available online. Prospective students applying for assistance have the opportunity to apply for local, state, and federal grants, scholarships, and loans. In addition, students also have the option of working through the Federal Work Study Program. Applications are available for those interested, beginning on January 1st for the following school year. Officials at SDMC encourage prospective students to apply for financial aid even if they have not yet heard about acceptance into the academic program. This results in SDMC having immediate access to FAFSA information, expediting the process.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5877th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in California.

Students

The San Diego Miramar College Student Affairs Office offers a smorgasbord of services designed to engage students in co-curricular activities.

Students looking to build leadership skills and experiences can join the Associated Students, a student government organization. The AS helps students gain confidence in their leadership skills and provide a governing voice for students. They recommend policies and procedures to college officials.

There are also a number of student clubs and organizations that invite students to participate in, ranging from special interest groups to sports. A popular organization for prospective journalists to join is the award-winning student newspaper: The Sage.

Although new clubs and organizations are always encouraged, the long-standing ones include:

Asian American Student Association
Child Development Professionals
EOPS
Filipino American Student Association
Food & Culture Club
Miramar USTA Club
Parent Student Advisory Board
Phi Theta Kappa
San Diego Miramar College Paralegal Group
Science Club
Student Veteran Organization

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Students at San Diego Miramar College focus on four competitive sports. Men are able to participate in basketball and water polo. Women at SDMC compete alongside the men in water polo but are also able to play soccer as well.

SDMC has a few state-of-the-art facilities for students and community members to enjoy and take advantage of throughout the day. There is the Field House and Fitness Center, which features a full gym filled with every machine an athlete would ever dream of. There is also the Ned Baumer Aquatic Center, home for both water polo teams. Pool use is free to students and staff, however, community members can also enjoy swimming lessons or a quick soak for a nominal fee.

Bibliography

McGrath, Anne, ed. U.S. News & World Report: Ultimate College Guide. Washington: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2011. Print.

Miramar College Athletics. Miramar Athletics. n.d. Web. 27 July, 2011.

San Diego Miramar College. San Diego Miramar College. n.d. Web. 20 July, 2011

San Diego Miramar College