Lower Columbia College (LCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Lower Columbia College is a co-ed two-year public community and technical college that educates approximately 4000 students per quarter. It is ocated in the south-western part of Washington State with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Cascade Mountains towards the east.

Often called LCC, Lower Columbia College was established in 1934 and was then known as the Lower Columbia Junior College. The faculty held the first classes at R.A Long High School and the first class, comprised of seven students, graduated in 1936. Over the years, the enrollment of students continued to increase and in 1948, the college received its first accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The college faced some financial problems and decided to purchase a 26-acre campus in 1942 on which the main building of the campus, Old Main II, was constructed. The college became a part of the Longview School District and was elevated to the level of a community college in 1961.

As of summer 2011, Lower Columbia College is spread over a 38-acre area and has 25 buildings. It continues to be accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

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Information Summary

Ranks 38th in Washington and 3068th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	50.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$4,734
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	54% / 37%
Enrollment Total (all students)	2,819

Academics

Lower Columbia College offers various degree and certificate programs designed to assist students for further studies. It offers transfer degrees for students who aim to shift to a 4-year college or university for baccalaureate programs. The transfer degrees offered at the college include Associate in Arts – Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA), Associate in Arts and Sciences (AA), Associate in Applied Science – Transfer (AAS-T), Associate in Sciences – Transfer (AS-T) degrees. There are numerous fields of study in which these degrees are offered such as accounting, anthropology, biological sciences, business, chemistry, chemical dependency studies, drama, earth sciences, mathematics, and nursing.

The professional and technical degrees and certificates offered at Lower Columbia College include Associate in Applied Science (AAS), Certificate of Proficiency (COP), and Certificate of Completion (COC). The certifications are available in areas such as medical reception, administrative support, medical billing and coding, fire prevention, public education, and fundamentals of manufacturing.

Additional programs and learning options offered at the Lower Columbia College include apprenticeship programs, continuing education, online learning, Head Start program, high school programs, and adult basic education programs.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Lower Columbia College has an open-door admissions policy where any student who has graduated from a high school or who is at least 18 years of age and who holds a Certificate of Educational Competence is admitted to the college. Applicants who are less than 18 years of age can apply for admission and their cases are considered on a course-by-course basis. In most cases, admissions are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are required to fill the admission application form and submit their high school transcripts. Students who have previously attended other colleges or universities are required to submit their college/university transcripts. Students planning to enroll for degree or certificate programs need to take the required placement test before enrolling. Placement assessments in mathematics, reading, English, and study skills are designed to help students select the right courses for their needs and interests.

International students must be high school graduates or equivalent while enrolling for admissions. They are required to fill out the admission form and submit financial statements. They are also required to submit proof of their proficiency in English by submitting their TOEFL scores.

Financial Aid

Lower Columbia College offers various types of financial aid to students to help them meet their educational expenses. To apply for financial aid, students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education. Lower Columbia College recommends a priority deadline of April 16 to apply for the financial aid.

The different types of financial aid available to students seeking admission at LCC are are grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs, and the WorkFirst program. Different types of federal grants available to eligible students of the Lower Columbia College include the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). Students who are Washington residents can also apply for the Washington State Need Grant. Students can also research various loan options, such as Federal Direct (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) loans and Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). Student employment options include on-campus and off-campus employment options. Students can work up to 19 hours per week while attending school.

Lower Columbia College also offers the WorkFirst program, wherein tuition and book costs are paid for eligible parents who are current recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Parents (TANF) program through the State Department of Social and Health Services.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5365th for the average student loan amount.
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Students

LCC believes that students play an active role in enhancing their classroom studies by participating in community services, cultural events, sports, and extracurricular activities. The Associated Students of Lower Columbia College (ASLCC) is a student body that represents the interests of the students to the faculty and the college administration. The ASLCC sponsors various events, social activities, and clubs and organizations on the campus.

Popular clubs on the campus include Act One, Biological Society, multicultural club, Phi Ro Pi, Phi Theta Kappa, Science Fiction club, and the Zen club. There is an Art Gallery in the Rose Center which stages two exhibits per quarter. Various concerts and plays are also staged in the Wollenberg Auditorium and the Center Stage Theatre. The campus has a bookstore which offers textbooks, school supplies, computer software, and LCC clothing. There is an on-campus childcare facility for student parents and it provides care for children between 1 month to 6 years of age. Other facilities available on the campus include computer labs, a cyber café, and a fitness center. Students can enjoy dining facilities in the LCC Food Services, located in the Student Center. Lower Columbia College does not have residential housing on campus but provides assistance to students in searching for off-campus housing.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Lower Columbia College is a member of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. The athletics teams are known as the Red Devils. The Red Devil men compete in baseball and basketball, and the Lady Red Devils compete in fastpitch softball, basketball, and volleyball.

Bibliography

Lower Columbia College. About Lower Columbia College. Web. 1 August 2011.

Lower Columbia College. Financial Aid. Web. 1 August 2011.

Lower Columbia College. Lower Columbia College 2010-2012 Catalog. 2010. Print.

Lower Columbia College