Catalog and Announcement of Courses Academic Year 2026-2027

Cerritos College
11110 Alondra Boulevard
Norwalk, California 90650
(562) 860-2451
www.cerritos.edu

A Public Community College Established 1955

Accredited By:

Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools & Colleges

A Member of:

• Academic Senate for California Community Colleges
• American Association of Community Colleges California Community College Trustees
• Community College League of California

The Cerritos College Catalog represents an academic year beginning with the fall term and including the subsequent spring and summer terms. This information is available on the internet at www.cerritos.edu.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this information is available in alternate formats (Braille, enlarged type, e-text, etc.) and may be requested by emailing ayshin@cerritos.edu.

Disclaimer: Cerritos College has made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the College Catalog at the time of annual publication. The College reserves the right to add to, amend, or repeal any of the rules, regulations, policies and procedures, or any other content, consistent with applicable regulations and laws. Content is subject to change without notice by the administration for reasons of student enrollment, level of financial support, or for any other reason at the discretion of the College. The College Catalog does not constitute a contract or the terms of a contract. The College Catalog is not intended to promulgate all policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of partner organizations, transfer institutions, the College, or the Cerritos Community College District. Students are advised to consult the online version of this catalog and to contact Counseling Services or the applicable administrative office for additional information.

Our Mission

Cerritos College provides its diverse student population with high-quality, comprehensive instructional programs and support services through clear, equity-minded pathways to their educational goals. In doing so, the College develops culturally competent students with the knowledge, skills, and values that prepare them to be productive members of their local and global communities.

Specialized or Programmatic Accreditations

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) – State Accreditation
1747 N. Market Boulevard., Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) – National Accreditation
3343 Peachtree Road. NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326

Dental Assisting

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
211 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Dental Hygiene

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
211 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Ford ASSET Program

ASE Education Foundation
1503 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Suite 401
Leesburg, VA 20176

General Automotive Mechanical Repair

ASE Education Foundation
1503 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Suite 401
Leesburg, VA 20176

General Motors ASEP

ASE Education Foundation
1503 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Suite 401
Leesburg, VA 20176

Paralegal Program

American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals & Approval Commission
321 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654-7598

Pharmacy Technician Program

ASHP/ACPE Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission
190 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60603-3410

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Special Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
1111 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program

California Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2100
Sacramento, CA 95815

About Cerritos College

College History

Since opening its doors in 1955, with just 197 students meeting in rented classrooms at Excelsior High School, Cerritos College has grown into a cornerstone of higher education for southeastern Los Angeles County. At its first commencement in spring 1958, 13 students received associate of arts degrees. Today, Cerritos College serves an average of 24,000 students annually, awarding thousands of degrees and certificates each year.

Now in its 71st year, the College continues to invest in innovative programs, student support services, and campus facilities to meet the evolving needs of its community. This commitment to student success has earned Cerritos College national and statewide recognition, including the Seal of Excelencia for intentionally serving Latino students, recognition as the #1 Hispanic-Serving Community College in California, and the #1 return on investment among community colleges in Los Angeles County. Together, these distinctions demonstrate the College's leadership in expanding educational opportunity, advancing innovation, and preparing students for success.

Vision

Cerritos College will provide innovative learning opportunities and support services that will close persistent educational achievement gaps.

Values

We have strong core values:

• Support and promote student success
• Promote excellence in teaching, learning, and service
• Support innovation and creativity to enhance and enrich learning
• Celebrate diversity in people, philosophies, cultures, beliefs, programs and learning
• Promote respect and trust in all people regardless of background, including students, community members and employees
• Foster integrity
• Develop nurturing and supportive partnerships with our educational, business and industry communities
• Support comprehensive curricular offerings
• Promote inclusiveness in a collaborative decision-making process

Mission

Cerritos College provides its diverse student population with high-quality, comprehensive instructional programs and support services through clear, equity-minded pathways to their educational goals. In doing so, the College develops culturally competent students with the knowledge, skills, and values that prepare them to be productive members of their local and global communities.

Educational Philosophy

Cerritos College embraces community, diversity, innovation, and active learning. We strive for high academic and ethical standards, as well as academic freedom; we believe in the worth and dignity of all of our learners. In educating, we consider the learner’s cognitive growth and emotional and physical well-being. The College prepares individuals for full participation in a complex democratic society as citizens and leaders, for the fulfillment of personal needs, and for the future. We believe that the purpose of education is to cultivate critical thinking skills and enhance the quality of life.

Commitment

The District provides a technologically advanced educational community in which students pursue a variety of educational goals: attainment of an associate degree, transfer to a four-year university, career/technical degree or certificate, or job skills. Achievement of these goals is strongly supported with instruction in basic skills as well as with student and instructional support services. Beyond these college credit programs and services, Cerritos College actively enriches the surrounding community through its varied community education programs.

Academic Freedom

Cerritos College serves the common good by expanding the boundaries of knowledge and transmitting it imaginatively, preparing students for occupations and preparing them to live successfully in a free society. The fulfillment of this function necessarily rests on the preservation of academic freedom which protects the rights of teachers to teach and students to learn.

The exercise of academic freedom is necessary if society is to receive the benefits of honest intellectual search and unbiased transmittal of knowledge. Cerritos College scholars must be free from pressures or demands which restrict their intellectual searches. The transmittal of knowledge at Cerritos College shall not be impeded by special interests, conflicting public opinion, or unpopularity. Cerritos College shall avoid a climate of education in which either students or faculty dare not assert their ideas for fear of reprisal. At the same time, Cerritos College faculty and students have a responsibility, under the guidelines of academic freedom, to engage in teaching and learning that honors and respects divergent viewpoints that are grounded in cultures of reason, logic, evidence, responsible scholarship, and creativity (Board Policy 4030).

Cerritos College Foundation

The Cerritos College Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable vehicle established in 1979 with the mission to raise funds and engagement to support student scholarship and advance the College's academic excellence. The Foundation works closely with alumni, donors, college employees, corporate partners, and community organizations to raise funds and expand awareness of Cerritos College as a vital community asset. The Foundation awards more than $250,000 a year in student scholarships, and financial support for programs. The Cerritos College Foundation currently has a 13-member board of directors representing a wide diversity of business, education, and community advocacy; all of whom are passionate about supporting Cerritos College students reach their academic goals.

The Foundation also oversees the Cerritos College Alumni Relations Office (ARO). The ARO provides year-round access to events, networking, and volunteer opportunities to help Cerritos College alumni stay connected and aid in their professional and personal development. The Foundation’s Alumni Connection e-newsletter features campus news, updates on alumni, and information about upcoming events.