California

Imperial | Lemoore | Los Alamitos | San Diego | San Luis Obispo 

Approval for Operation

Columbia College is a private Institution and is approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and this approval meets the minimum state standards. Columbia College has been granted approval to operate under the terms of California Education Code (CEC) section 94890(a)(1).

Agent for Service of Process

Northwest Registered Agent, Inc., (#C3184722) 1267 Willis St. Suite 200, Redding, CA 96001

Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)

The state of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state- imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition. You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225, Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 574-8900.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120 day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120 day period before the program was discontinued.
3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law, or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.

A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.

However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.

Columbia College California Locations

Columbia College - Imperial, CA #58669817 

Primary Contact: Guillermo Salgado, Program Coordinator

Columbia College - Imperial Valley is a one-story building located on the Imperial Valley College Campus.  Columbia College instructors have access to reserved classrooms and fully functional, accessible classroom technology including computer and projector. In addition to classroom availability, Columbia College - Imperial Valley staff and students have access to the Test Proctoring Center and Study Skills Center located at the Imperial Valley Campus Library. Students also have access to Columbia College Stafford Library and their online databases. The campus is located on 160 acres in Imperial County, California. The nearest residential community to campus is approximately 2 miles away, as agricultural land surrounds the campus.

Columbia College - Lemoore, CA #1600141

Primary Contact: Betsy Quade, Director

Columbia College - Lemoore is located at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, in a building close to the main gate. The building for the in-seat classes is a one story building, which has offices and several classrooms/conference rooms and computer lab. All in-seat classes are offered in a classroom or in the computer lab in this building. Equipment for the classes, laptop/desktop computers and projectors, are located in the classroom and in the computer lab. There is no housing within one mile of the building due to the location being on a military base. There is some on-base housing for military personnel but it is approximately two to five miles away from the location and is provided only for military and DOD personnel.

Columbia College - Los Alamitos, CA #3012711

Primary Contact: Carl David, Director

Columbia College - Los Alamitos is a one story, renovated former military post gas station. The square footage is 5,800. The main entrance is manned by volunteer reception area. Students sign in and are directed to tenant locations, which include: Military ID Cards Office, DOD agency for Employer Support for the National Guard and Reserves, National Guard Family Support Office, One Stop Employment Office and Columbia College at the end of the main hallway. There is one classroom that can hold up to 22 students, a reception/advisor office with an external entry door recently added to the building and the Director’s office in the rear. The location has secure internet connectivity from Time Warner Cable and routers, switches and all computers for operations as well as 24/7 library connectivity, classroom audiovisual equipment, projectors, TV monitors, and furniture which is all provided by the main campus in Columbia MO.

Columbia College - Naval Base San Diego, CA #73040410

Primary Contact: Carl David, Director

Columbia College - NBSD is a satellite of Columbia College - San Diego. All courses are offered in a four story building. Columbia College - San Diego does not have a designated classroom space at NBSD. A classroom assignment is given each semester. The location has secure internet connectivity as well as 24/7 library connectivity, classroom audiovisual equipment, and other educational equipment.

Columbia College - San Luis Obispo, CA #4000851

Primary Contact: Theresa Genova, Director

Columbia College - San Luis Obispo is located in Building 5700 on the Cuesta College main campus in San Luis Obispo.  The San Luis Obispo location has a small computer lab for student use during office hours. The location office hours are Monday - Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST. For library resources, students have access to the Columbia College Stafford Library. Students may also utilize the Cuesta College Library, Kennedy Library on Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo and the San Luis Obispo County Library System with eight locations throughout the county.  

Cuesta College comprises the San Luis Obispo Community College District. There are three Cuesta College student serving locations in the district: the main campus in San Luis Obispo, the North County Campus in Paso Robles and the South County Center in Arroyo Grande. Cuesta College opened in 1964 and enrolls approximately 10,000 students per year. The current Superintendent / President is Dr. Jill Stearns.

Columbia College - San Diego, CA #32205612

Primary Contact: Carl David, Director

There are two locations in San Diego where classes are offered, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD San Diego) and Naval Base San Diego (NBSD).The building at MCRD is a one story building. Columbia College has three administrative office spaces, the Director’s office, an Administrative office (Student Services) and an Academic Advisor office. Courses are offered in two classrooms, Room Echo and Room Golf. Each room accommodates 25 students.

The San Diego locations provides free WIFI to staff, adjunct faculty and students. The database used to communicate with students is CougarMail powered through Google or Gmail. Hard copy textbooks or eBooks are used in the courses. Student may utilize the MCRD Base Library or local community college and college university libraries (San Diego City College District Community Colleges, Point Loma Nazarene University, University of San Diego, San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, Grossmont College, and Cuyamaca College). Columbia College provides students the opportunity to check out and use a laptop on location if needed to complete assignments, etc. The San Diego location has a computer cart that houses 15 laptops. It is used for proctoring online exams as well.

Residential Housing

Columbia College does not provide residential housing options at locations in California; the Institution has no responsibility to find, or to assist in finding, housing for students. Please note that some locations do not have apartment options within one (1) mile of the location. Listed below are the average costs to rent a 1 bedroom apartment in each area.

Important Information

Columbia College has an automated enrollment agreement and performance fact sheet process. Prior to enrolling, students must sign the enrollment agreement and all applicable performance fact sheets. 

Student Costs

For 2020-2021 tuition and charges, please visit the Tuition Rates and Payment Policies  page in the catalog.

A Net Price Calculator is available at: http://www.ccis.edu/offices/financialaid/net-price-calculators.aspx

Estimated Charges

Master’s

Total charges for the current period of attendance:  $5,880.00

Estimated total charges for the entire education program:  $17,640.00

The estimated total charges for current period of attendance assumes full time enrollment (12 credits) in a semester multiplied by the highest tuition rate.  The estimated total charges for entire education program is based on completion of the minimum number of credit hours required for a degree program as outlined above.  The amounts listed may not reflect any tution discounts or financial aid the student may receive.

Required Documentation

Columbia College has an automated enrollment agreement and performance fact sheet process. The enrollment agreement and performance fact sheet(s) are required for students in California and students will be unable to enroll without this required documentation.

Students who need to submit official versions of these forms may locate them in CougarTrack.

Admissions

Students can find Columbia College’s admissions policies on the Admission Policies  catalog page. 

Credit for Prior Learning

Many students who participate in learning experiences outside the classroom wish to earn college credit for their work. Columbia College offers a number of ways students may earn such credit. CLEP tests and ACE credit are the preferred means because they require a theory-base for awarding credit and they have national norms/criteria or both. If neither of the above credit-awarding methods are an option, Columbia College awards credit for prior learning (CPL). Please visit the Evaluation of Credit and Testing  page of the catalog for more information.

Student’s Right to Cancel

The student has the right to a full refund of all charges if he/she cancels this agreement by submitting a Columbia College Drop Form prior to close of business on Monday of the second week of the session. In addition, the student may withdraw from a course after instruction has started by submitting a Columbia College Withdrawal Form and receive a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of the tuition and other refundable charges if the student has completed 75% or less of the instruction.

Distance Education

The student will receive the first lesson and any materials within seven days of enrolling in a distance education course. All lessons and materials for the course will be transmitted to the student if the student has fully paid for the educational program and, after receipt of the first lesson and initial materials, requests in writing that all of the material be sent. If the institution transmits the balance of the material as the students requests, the institution shall remain obligated to provide the other educational services it agreed to provide, but shall not be obligated to pay any refund after all of the lessons and materials are transmitted. The student has the right to cancel the enrollment agreement and receive a full refund before the first lesson and materials are received. Cancellation is effective on the date written notice of cancellation is sent. The institution shall make the refund pursuant to section 71750 of the Regulations. If the institution sent the first lesson and materials before an effective cancellation notice was received, the institution shall make a refund within 45 days after the student’s return of the materials.

Cancel, Withdrawal, and Refund Policies

Students may find information regarding the cancellation,withdrawal, and refunds policies at the Online,Nationwide, and Main Campus Evening Tuition Structure page in the Columbia College Catalog. California students shall be refunded 100 percent of the amount paid for institutional charges if notice of cancellation is made through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later.

There are two California withdrawal refund formulas; one for 8 week classes (55 day term) and one for 16 week classes (111 day term). The percentage of tuition refunded is based on the number of unused days remaining in the term, divided by the total number of days in the term.  

For the 8 week term, California students who drop on days 1-8 will receive 100% refund. Students who withdraw on days 9-42 will receive a refund based on the unused number days remaining in the term. To find the unused number of days, subtract the number of days registered from 55. Then, divide the number of unused days by 55 to get the percentage refunded (Unused days / 55 = unused class time).  Finally, multiply the original tuition of the withdrawn section by the percentage of unused class time to find the refunded tuition dollar amount ($ Tuition * % = $ refunded). No refunds are issued days 43-55. To receive this refund formula, the student must be withdrawing from an 8 week class and be a California student.

For the 16 week term, California students who drop on days 1-8 will receive 100% refund. Students who withdraw on days 9-84 will receive a refund based on the unused number days remaining in the semester. To find the unused number of days, subtract the number of days registered from 111. Then, divide the number of unused days by 111 to get the percentage refunded (Unused days / 111 = tuition refund).  Finally, multiply the original tuition of the withdrawn section by the percentage of unused class time to find the refunded tuition dollar amount ($ Tuition * % = $ refunded). No refunds are issued days 85-111. To receive this refund formula, the student must be withdrawing from a 16 week class and be a California student.

Distance Education Instructor Grading and Response Expectations:

a. Teach and facilitate the course by

1. responding to all student communication within 48 hours;
2. logging into the course within the first 3 days of the session;
3. logging into the course at least 3 days a week, with no period of absence of 72 hours or longer;
4. posting substantive responses in graded discussions at least 3 times per week;
5. notifying the Online Education office and students in the case of an emergency that might prevent them from meeting these participation requirements;

b. Assess student learning by

1. assigning grades that accurately reflect the standards set out in the syllabus and/or grading rubrics;
2. providing substantial feedback in a timely manner (within 72 hours for shorter assignments and within 6 days for longer assignments) to each student in the course for assignments that contribute to the final grade of the course;
3. keeping the LMS gradebook current and include zeroes for work not submitted;
4. completing required course assessment activities related to college-wide assessment.

Faculty Qualifications

Qualified faculty members are identified primarily by credentials, but other factors, including but not limited to equivalent experience, may be considered by the institution in determining whether a faculty member is qualified. Faculty possess an academic degree relevant to what they are teaching and at least one level above the level at which they teach, except in programs for terminal degrees or when equivalent experience is established. In terminal degree programs, faculty members possess the same level of degree. Faculty members employed based on equivalent experience, meet the institutionally defined minimum threshold of experience. Faculty teaching general education courses, or other non-occupational courses, hold a master’s degree or higher in the discipline or subfield. If a faculty member holds a master’s degree or higher in a discipline or subfield other than that in which he or she is teaching, that faculty member has completed a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline or subfield in which they teach. Instructors teaching in the graduate program hold the terminal degree determined by the discipline.

Attendance, Academic Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal

The Grading and Academic Standing  section of the catalog details information regarding attendance, academic probation, leave of absence, suspension, and dismissal. 

General Student Grievance Policy

To view the entire policy, please visit the General Student Grievance Policy section of the Columbia College Policies website.

The Student Conduct  section of the catalog details information regarding the student grievance process, student code of conduct, overview of the conduct process, as well as other pertinent information that students should be aware of.  

• Complaints about sex discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation are handled in accordance with the College’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy and corresponding procedures.
• Complaints about discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation, not based on sex, are handled in accordance with the College’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy and corresponding procedures.
• Complaints related to the ADA/Section 504 accommodation process or related to the implementation of approved reasonable accommodations are handled in accordance with the College’s ADA/Section 504 Grievance Policy.

Further Complaint Resolution

On occasion, students may believe that these administrative procedures have not adequately addressed their concerns and or circumstances related to alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising; alleged violations of state laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and complaints relating to the quality of education or other state accreditation requirements.

Complaint process information is provided below for students who wish to address their concerns to the appropriate agency.

• A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s Internet website https://www.bppe.ca.gov/enforcement/complaint.shtml
• The Higher Learning Commission complaint process.

State Regulatory Agency Contact Information

A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about Columbia College with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by contacting the BPPE below:

Student Services

The Resources  section of the catalog details information regarding the enrollment services center, ID cards, online tutoring services, writing center, math center, Stafford Libary, and books. The resources section of the catalog details information regarding the activity calendar, alumni association, career services, student accessibility resources, technology services and solution center, as well as information regarding e-mail, internet access, and Microsoft Office. 

Stafford Library

Phone: (573) 875-7381 or (800) 231-2391, Ext. 7381 Text: (573) 535-5449
Email: reference@ccis.edu Website: www.ccis.edu/library

International Center

The Columbia College International Center provides guidance on immigration matters and issues I-20’s for F-1 student status at select locations. Columbia College does not provide this service for students physically located in California.  More information can be found on the International Programs  section of this catalog.

Placement Services

Columbia College has trained personnel to assist students with career planning and development but does not offer placement services.  Employment upon completion of program(s) is not guaranteed. The Resources   section of the catalog details more information regarding to career services available to students.

Other Columbia College Information

• Columbia College does not offer any pre-licensure programs in the state of California.
• The institution does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy, is not operating as a debtor in possession, has not filed a petition within the preceding five years, and has not had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. Sec. 11101 et seq.)
• The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), requires Columbia College to provide information to enrolled students, prospective students and their parents or guardians. Please select the following link to access the Student Consumer Information website: http://web.ccis.edu/offices/institutionalcompliance/consumerinformation.aspx.
• Transcripts for California students are kept indefinitely.
• Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at P. O. Box 980818, Sacramento, CA 95798-0818, http://www.bppe.ca.gov, (916) 431-6959 and (916) 263-1897.
• Instruction does not occur in any language other than English.

NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS AND CREDENTIALS EARNED AT OUR INSTITUTION

The transferability of credits you earn at Columbia College is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree or certificate you earn in the educational program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the credits, degree, or certificate that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Columbia College to determine if your credits, degree, or certificate will transfer.

As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.

If the student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund, and that, if the student receives federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the money’s not paid from federal aid funds. If the student is eligible for a loan guaranteed by the federal or state government and the student defaults on the loan, both of the following may occur:

1. The federal or state government or a loan guarantee agency may take action against the student, including applying any income tax refund to which the person is entitled to reduce the balance owed on the loan and
2. The student may not be eligible for any other government financial assistance at another institution until the loan is repaid. Columbia College advises students to take advantage of the financial aid counseling available on the college website before accepting any student loans.

VA Statement

Columbia College California locations have been approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Benefits to train veterans and other eligible persons under the benefits of Title 38, United States Code (38 U.S.C. 3671 [a] and 3672 [a]).