Pierce College

Pierce College
Director of International Programs
Pierce College
9401 Farwest Drive S.W.
Lakewood, Washington 98498-1999
USA
Telephone: 253.964.7327
Fax: 253.964.6256
Contact Us!

Welcome to Pierce College!

We invite you to study at Pierce College, a fully accredited 2-year community college located a short distance south of Seattle. A state school, established in 1967, we offer top quality education at a reasonable price. International students come from all over the world for Associate (university transfer) Degrees, studies in English language, professional-technical degree and certificate programs, and our Fast Track High School Completion Program, all taught by our outstanding faculty.

Intensive English (ESL) Program

Courses in Listening, Conversation, Pronunciation, Composition, Grammar, Reading and American Culture
20 hours of instruction per week with an academic focus
Four levels, beginning through advanced
Small class size
Direct entry to college (academic) programs guaranteed upon successful completion of the Intensive English Program
Conversation Partner Program
Excursions to local places of interest included with tuition

Academic Options

Associate Degrees (University Transfer Programs -- 2 + 2 = 4): Students can complete the two-year Associate Degree at Pierce College, then transfer to a university and, after two more years of studies, earn a bachelor's degree. Many majors are available including art, business, communications, computers, economics, education, engineering, theatre arts, and digital film.

Transfer advisors help students in the process of transferring to a university; recent graduates have transferred to University of Washington, New York University; Carnegie Mellon; Purdue; San Francisco Art Institute, Fashion Institute of New York, and many other excellent universities.

Professional-Technical Degree or Certificate Programs: Students can gain valuable career skills in our short- or long-term job training programs. Fields of study include business, computer information systems, early childhood education and social service.

Fast Track High School Completion Program: This program enables students to earn a Washington State High School Diploma and, at the same time, earn credits towards their bachelor's degree. It takes approximately two years to complete this program (depending on English proficiency). Students follow the course requirements for the Associate (university transfer) Degree. Students in the Fast Track Program enroll in classes that give them both high school and college/university credit.

Housing

The International Office will help students find an appropriate "home away from home." You can:

Live with a host family and experience American culture first hand.
Rent an apartment in the safe, quiet neighborhood surrounding the campus.
Share an apartment with another student.

Facilities, services, and activities for students

A well-staffed International Office meets the special needs of international students.
Nationally recognized, award-winning libraries with all the latest information technology.
State-of-the-art computer labs.
Tutoring and writing centers providing students extra help with their studies - for free!
New Fitness Center
Student Programs office that organizes many fun activities, trips, and events for students.
International students make new friends by participating in student clubs and organizations; college sports teams; student government; campus music, drama and film productions.
Campus and local resources available for students of any culture or religion.

Applying for Admission

Please submit the following:

International Student Application (available at http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/International/HowToApply.php)
Application fee of $30
Academic Records:
- For Intensive English Program or academics: Proof of high school graduation or university/college attendance
- For High School Completion Program: High school transcript, in English
Official bank statement showing the availability of sufficient funds for all expenses for the first academic year: US$14,817 for the Intensive English Program, or US$16,206 for college or high school completion programs
For direct admission to college-level classes, please include one of the following with your application:
- TOEFL score of 61 (IBT) / 173 (CBT) / 500 (PBT)
- IELTS score of 5.0
- TOEIC score of 600
- STEP Eiken score of Grade I or Pre I

Pierce College is on the quarter system and new students are admitted four times a year; classes start in September, January, March and June.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to request information, please contact us!

Visit the web site of Pierce College.