Los Angeles Valley College

What is the history of Los Angeles Valley College?

Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) opened in 1949 and is a public community college in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). It initially held classes at Van Nuys High School before moving to its permanent campus in what is now Valley Glen.

The college's development reflects two continuing purposes of California community colleges: providing an affordable starting point for students who intend to transfer to a university, and offering career-focused education that can lead to a certificate or associate degree. Its campus now serves students pursuing those goals alongside people taking classes for personal or professional development.

What are the faculties and departments at Los Angeles Valley College?

Los Angeles Valley College organizes its academics through departments and programs rather than separate undergraduate colleges. Students can pursue associate degrees, certificates, and associate degrees for transfer, which are designed around specified California State University transfer pathways.

The college's offerings span subjects such as English, mathematics, natural and social sciences, business, computer-related fields, media arts, and health care. Nursing is an example of a career program for which admission to the college and admission to the program are separate decisions. Applicants should check the current catalog for a program's required courses, sequence, and any additional selection requirements.

A transfer-oriented student can use the catalog and an educational plan to distinguish courses that satisfy an LAVC credential from courses that will satisfy a particular university's major requirements. Those lists do not always match.

What is the location of Los Angeles Valley College?

Los Angeles Valley College is at 5800 Fulton Avenue in Valley Glen, a neighborhood of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley. Its setting is urban and primarily commuter-oriented, with students traveling to campus from across the surrounding area.

Metro's G Line has a Valley College station near campus, providing a transit connection to other San Fernando Valley routes. Students who drive should account for parking rules and permits as well as traffic when planning a schedule. For someone combining classes with work, the time needed to reach campus may matter as much as the distance on a map.

What is the mission and vision of Los Angeles Valley College?

Los Angeles Valley College describes its mission in terms of access to education, student learning, and pathways to transfer, employment, and personal goals. Its stated priorities include serving a diverse community and helping students make progress through academic instruction and support services.

These are the college's stated aims, not measures of an individual student's likely outcome. Prospective students can evaluate how those priorities translate into practice by examining course availability, program requirements, counseling access, and the support attached to their intended pathway.