Porterville College

• Porterville College is a community college in the Kern Community College District. As a community college PCs main focus is to provide students with the classes they need to prepare for transfer to a regular college or university. PC also offers technical/vocational programs and allows local high school juniors and seniors to take classes. The Porterville "Pirates" have five sports: baseball, softball, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball. As of January 2011, this is the only college in Porterville.
  
  

Surrounding Area

• It's over 30 miles in any direction to another college. The nearest are three colleges in Visalia, California.
  
  The College of the Sequoias, like Porterville College, is a California Community College.
  
  San Joaquin Valley College is a private junior college granting certificates and A.S. degrees. The college focuses on business, medical and technical areas and on accelerated education. Most of its 20-plus programs can be completed in 14 months.
  
  Brandman University, part of the Chapman University System, offers a wide range of programs. It grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Also, the university has certification and teaching credential programs.
  
  

Online/Distance Education Programs

• Many educational institutions offer online/distance learning programs. You can get a degree without leaving Porterville. For example, Cal State University in Fullerton, California offers several master's degree programs entirely online. UCLA has offered an online master's degree program in engineering since 2005. Check with the school of your choice, it does not have to be local.
  
  

Long Shots

• There are schools that specialize in bringing the classroom to the student by having many campuses. Chapman University, National University and the University of Phoenix are just a few examples. As of January 2011, they do not have campuses in Porterville, but you may want to contact them regarding their future plans. Also, some corporations, from time to time, hold classes in towns and cities across America. Software companies are a good example. Typically they will rent classroom space and hold class all day long Monday through Friday until finished. Then grant a certification to those who pass.