Consumer Information

Information about Cerro Coso Community College

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Student records are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, state law, and Kern Community College District Board Policy from access by casual or unauthorized persons. Access to records is provided to the student, appropriate college staff members, persons having written consent of the student, or by court order or subpoena.

The Privacy Act affords Cerro Coso Community College the right to release such "Directory Information" as the student's name, address, email address, photographs, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended. If a student does not want this information released, the student must check the confidentiality requested box on the admission/update forms.

Present and former Cerro Coso Community College students are given the right to inspect, review, and challenge the contents of all educational records related to them. No information contained in their educational records may be released without their consent, except to those agencies or individuals authorized by the Act.

Students wishing to inspect, review, or challenge any of their educational records must contact Admissions and Records (760) 384-6374.

Programs and Services Available to Students with Disabilities

Cerro Coso Community College will make reasonable accommodations and/or academic adjustments to ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in the college's courses, programs, and activities, including extracurricular activities. Students with disabilities who are requesting academic accommodations or auxiliary aids should contact the Special Services Office at (760) 384-6250. Participation by students with disabilities in Special Services is voluntary. Any student choosing not to participate in the program may elect an alternate path for services through the Office of Student Learning. See the Vice President of Student Services for options or alternatives to services otherwise provided by the Special Services Office.

The Disabled Student Program and Services provides assistance for students with various types of disabilities (visual and hearing impairments, speech and communication problems, physical and brain injuries, learning disabilities, psychological problems, etc.) as well as for persons referred for training by rehabilitation agencies.

Student Body Diversity

Attendance Status
Full-time 19%
Part-time 81%
Student Gender
Female 2%
Male 38%
Student Age
24 and under 43%
25 and over 57%
Age unknown 0%
Student Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaska Native 3%
Asian 4%
Black or African American 6%
Hispanic/Latino 25%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0%
White 57%
Two or more races 4%
Race/ethnicity unknown 1%
Student Residence
In-state 95%
Out-of-state 0%
Foreign countries 0%
Unknown 5%

Source: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=CA&zc=93555&zd=0&of=3&id=111896 on July 10, 2012

Textbook Information

Students may need to buy textbooks, laboratory manuals, notebooks, writing materials, and miscellaneous supplies as determined by their instructors. It is estimated that the cost of books and supplies will be $550 to $650 per semester for a 15-unit schedule. Books may be purchased or rented at Barnes & Noble college bookstore (760) 384-6352 which is open year-round except during college holidays.

Voter Registration Information

Cerro Coso encourages eligible students to register to vote. Students may access the California Voter Registration through the Update Form when registering for classes, or directly at the California Secretary of State's Voter Registration page.

Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreement

Credits Transferred from Other Institutions

Credit earned from other accredited institutions may be transferred to Cerro Coso Community College upon admission. Students will provide official transcripts in a sealed envelope from the institution or electronically through e-transcripts California. Transcripts submitted become the property of Cerro Coso Community College and cannot be returned to the student nor be forwarded to another institution. When a student has three consecutive years of non-attendance at Cerro Coso Community College, transcripts from other institutions will be purged from the student's record. Students planning to graduate or transfer with certification from Cerro Coso Community College, or needing to use courses from another college/university as a prerequisite, must submit all official transcripts to Cerro Coso Community College. Transcripts should be sent to:

Cerro Coso Community College
c/o Admissions and Records Office
3000 College Heights Blvd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555


An evaluation of submitted transcripts can be requested online or at the counseling office of the student's local campus.

General Education Options to Transfer

Universities and colleges prescribe their standards of eligibility for transfer. Students expecting to transfer to a four year institution should carefully check entrance requirements. Cerro Coso Community College students who maintain high scholarship and who complete the required pattern of courses may expect to make a satisfactory transfer to the institution of their choice and achieve junior standing. Students planning to eventually transfer to a four-year institution should make an appointment with a college counselor at the earliest possible date to plan an appropriate course of study.

Associate Degrees for Transfer

California Community Colleges are now offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. These may include Associate in Arts (AA-T) or Associate in Science (AS-T) degrees. These degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. California Community College students who are awarded an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses.

Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units.

Current and prospective community college students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.

Independent California Colleges and Universities

Students who transfer to independent colleges or universities find that they are given academic credit for most, if not all, of their community college courses. Virtually all institutions give full credit for general education courses and usually for other courses designed for transfer by the community college.

Some colleges and universities stipulate a certain number of completed units before considering students eligible for transfer. Others do not and will accept students at any time.

The requirements are outlined in the respective college catalogs available online and in the Career and Transfer Center at the IWV campus.

University of California (UC)

Transfer students may fulfill the lower division breadth and general education requirements for the University of California by completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).

Students who were ineligible for the University of California on the basis of their high school records may be admitted by achieving a grade point average of 2.40 in a minimum of 60 units of community college work designated as baccalaureate level including making up any missing college preparatory subject requirements. Students who were eligible on the basis of their high school record may transfer at any time so long as the community college grade point average is 2.40 or higher.

Students may transfer a maximum of 70 community college units to a UC. After 70 units of transferable credit have been earned, no further unit credit will be granted for community college courses, although courses may still be used to satisfy subject matter requirements.

Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)—The Intersegmental Committee of the Academic Senates approved the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). The IGETC is a series of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements at any CSU or UC campus.

Prior to transferring, the student must request that the Cerro Coso Community College's Office of Admissions and Records send an IGETC Certification to the appropriate campus. This Certification is subject to change if the student does not maintain continuous enrollment at Cerro Coso Community College.

California State University (CSU)

Students who were ineligible for the California State University on the basis of their high school record may be admitted by achieving a grade point average of 2.0 in a minimum of 60 units of community college work designated as baccalaureate level including making up any missing college preparatory subject requirements. Students who were eligible on the basis of their high school record may transfer at any time so long as the community college grade point average is 2.0 or higher.

Students may transfer a maximum of 70 community college units to a state university. After 70 units of transferable credits have been earned, no further unit credit will be granted for community college courses, although courses may still be used to satisfy subject matter requirements.

California State University Certification Requirement—Students desiring transfer to the California State University system may conform to either (1) the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or (2) CSU General Education Certification. A course taken at another participating institution may be included on Cerro Coso Community College's certification list if the course would have been certified at the other institution. Students should consult the catalog of the state university of their choice for specific general education information. In some instances, courses required for a given major may not be used for general education purposes even though they are included in the general education list of acceptable courses. Students preparing for a teaching career should become aware of the general education requirements for specific credentials. Students are advised to consult with their counselors for additional information.

ASSIST

ASSIST is a web-based articulation and transfer planning system. It describes how course credits earned at one California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California's colleges and universities and, therefore, provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available about student transfer in California. For further information, see a counselor.

Information on the level and transfer applicability of each course can be can be found in the College Catalog.

Cost of Attendance - 2021-2022

Estimated expenses for academic year 2021-2022

In-state away from home

Expense Amount
Tuition and Fees $1,380
Books and supplies $1,125
Room and board $17,253
Transportation $918
Personal $3,843
Total Expenses $24,519

Non Resident away from home

Expense Amount
Tuition and Fees $9,330
Books and supplies $1,125
Room and board $17,253
Transportation $918
Personal $3,843
Total Expenses $32,469

In-state at home

Expense Amount
Tuition and Fees $1,380
Books and supplies $1,125
Room and board $9,081
Transportation $999
Personal $3,276
Total Expenses $15,861

Non Resident at home

Expense Amount
Tuition and Fees $9,330
Books and supplies $1,125
Room and board $9,081
Transportation $999
Personal $3,276
Total Expenses $23,811

Last updated on March 24, 2021

Cost of Attendance - 2022-2023

Estimated expenses for academic year 2022-2023

In-state away from home

Expense Amount
Books and Supplies $1125
Computer Expenses $500
Personal $3,843
Room and Board $17,253
Tuition and Fees $1,380
Transportation $918
Total Expenses $25,019

Non Resident away from home

Expense Amount
Books and Supplies $1125
Computer Expenses $500
Personal $3,843
Room and Board $17,253
Tuition and Fees $9,330
Transportation $918
Total Expenses $32,969

In-state at home

Expense Amount
Books and Supplies $1125
Computer Expenses $500
Personal $3,276
Room and Board $9,081
Tuition and Fees $1,380
Transportation $999
Total Expenses $16,361

Non Resident at home

Expense Amount
Books and Supplies $1125
Computer Expenses $500
Personal $3,276
Room and Board $9,081
Tuition and Fees $9,330
Transportation $999
Total Expenses $24,311

Last updated on June 13, 2022

Net Price Calculator

This information can be found online:

Refund Policies

This information can be found online:

Withdrawal Procedures

Withdrawing from Courses

Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from any course or courses in which they no longer wish to be enrolled. After registration has been completed, and within the withdrawal date guidelines, students may drop from a course or courses through the web registration system, InsideCC. Non-attendance or non-payment does not release the student from this responsibility and may result in a failing grade being awarded and fees owed.

A student may drop a course and receive a "W" up to and including the last day of the 10th week of instruction or the first 60% of the term, whichever is less.

Courses dropped prior to the third week or first 20% of the term will not be included as part of the student's permanent record. For courses dropped from the third week to the withdrawal deadline date, a "W" will be recorded. After the withdrawal deadline, a grade symbol other than a "W" will be recorded. It is not appropriate to use an "I" (incomplete) as a withdrawal grade.

Although a "W" will not be used to calculate grade point average, excessive "W's" shall be used as factors in progress probation and disqualification.

  • It is the student's responsibility to drop courses prior to the 10% date of enrolled courses and to apply for a refund.
  • It is the student's responsibility to drop courses prior to the 20% date of enrolled courses in order to avoid notation of the courses on the student's permanent record.
  • It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from courses prior to the 60% date to receive a "W" in these courses and to avoid substandard grades on the student's permanent record.

While it is the final responsibility of students to drop a course that they are no longer attending, instructors may, at their discretion, drop a student without consultation with the student when unexcused absences number the equivalent of two weeks or exceed 10% of the total hours of the course. Under these circumstances, this instructor-initiated drop can occur up to the 10th week of the semester or the 60% date of the course. No student may be dropped from any course after the 10th week of a course; after the 10th week the student will be assigned the appropriate letter grade.

Drop dates for short-term and summer courses vary. Check with the instructor for specific dates.

Official withdrawal from a course is accomplished through logging on to the web registration system, InsideCC, and dropping the course. Simply ceasing to attend a course does not constitute withdrawal.

Withdrawal after Deadline

A student may contact the Office of Admissions and Records regarding the procedure to drop or withdraw after the final withdrawal date deadline if there are verifiable extenuating circumstances. Examples of verifiable extenuating circumstances may be: accidents, illness, death of an immediate family member, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. This must be done by the last day of courses and prior to the beginning of the final examination period for the term in which the withdrawal will apply. A withdrawal petition must be signed by the student, instructor, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Documentation of extenuating circumstance will be required. In the case of students who are members of an active or reserve military service, and who received orders compelling a withdrawal from courses, the college shall permit withdrawal at any time during the term with no adverse impact on a student's academic record or enrollment status.

Students in any other situations will be required to keep their grade, meet the contract of their incomplete grades if appropriate, and pay their fees.

Withdrawing from the College

Students who find it necessary to withdraw from the college are required to return all checked-out supplies, equipment, and library books, and pay all fines and debts owed the college.

Any account balance older than 120 days may be subject to the collections process.

Description of Academic Programs

Information on Academic Programs can be found in the College Catalog or on the Programs Offered webpage.

Instructional Facilities and Labs

Cerro Coso Community College provides instructional facilities and laboratories at Ridgecrest/Indian Wells Valley, Lake Isabella/Kern River Valley, Edwards AFB/East Kern, and ESCC Bishop and Mammoth Lakes sites to support each site's academic programs. Please see the department chair or the site director for specific information. Department chairs and site directors are listed in the alphabetical directory.

Faculty

Information on Faculty can be found in the College Catalog.

Accreditation Information

Cerro Coso Community College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204, Novato, California, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. It meets all standards of the California State Department of Education. The college and its programs are also approved by the California Community College Board of Governors, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, and the California Department of Education for the enrollment of veterans. The University of California, the California State University System, and other universities and colleges give full credit for appropriate courses completed at Cerro Coso Community College.

Copyright Infringement

This information can be found online:

Constitution Day Information

In order to comply with the federal regulation requiring the development of educational programming to celebrate Constitution Day on September 17th of each year, Cerro Coso Community College's Student Activities Office provides faculty, students and staff with access to U.S. Constitution Day educational resources, guest lectures and free pocket size U.S. Constitution books.

Standards of Student Conduct

The Board of Trustees of the Kern Community College District, in support of public education and the exercise of general supervision of the campuses of the district, believes that student conduct must reflect the standards of good behavior expected by society. Since public education is furnished by the people of the district, it becomes a privilege for students to have this opportunity to further their education.

Students shall respect constituted authority. This shall include conformance to state laws, board regulations, college regulations, and applicable provisions of civil law.

Students are expected to observe high personal standards of decency, morality, honesty, and social relationships. Student conduct should reflect consideration for the rights of others, and students are expected to cooperate with all members of the Cerro Coso Community College community. (KCCD Board Policy 4F8B)

Failure to respect the standards as set forth by Cerro Coso Community College may be cause for disciplinary action.

The Cerro Coso Community College Student Conduct Policy may also be found in the Cerro Coso Community College Student Handbook.

Financial Aid Policies

Financial Aid Policies

Financial Aid Policies are available on a separate page.

Information Regarding Student Outcomes

Graduation, Transfer and Retention Rates

In compliance with the Student Right-To-Know (SRTK) Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542), it is the policy of the Kern Community College District and Cerro Coso Community College to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students. These rates are based on a limited cohort (or group) of students which are tracked for a three-year period. The cohort is limited because it includes only students who entered Cerro Coso Community College in the Fall term as first-time, full-time students seeking a degree, certificate or transfer. Students included in the SRTK Cohort were tracked for three years to determine their academic outcomes.

A student is included in the Completion Rate if they attained a certificate or degree or became "transfer prepared" within the three-year period. Transfer-prepared is defined as having completed 60 transferable units with a GPA of 2.0 or better.

A student is included in the Transfer Rate if, within the three-year tracking period, they transferred to another postsecondary institution prior to receiving a certificate or degree or becoming "transfer-prepared".

The table below compares Cerro Coso Community College's Completion and Transfer Rates to the statewide community college average.

  2018 SRTK Cohort
Cerro Coso State Wide
Completion Rate 26.73% 34.75%
Transfer Rate 7.83% 8.99%

These rates do not represent the completion and transfer rates of the entire student population at Cerro Coso Community College, nor do they account for student outcomes occurring after this three-year tracking period. For more information on SRTK methodology, interpretation, and rates at other community colleges, you can visit the College Chancellor's Office website.

California Licensure Exam Pass Rates

Per California Assembly Bill (AB) 2086, the following information is made available to provide access to California license examination passage rates for graduates of Cerro Coso Community College programs that require California licensure.

Data will continue to be updated as California licensing/regulatory agencies make the data electronically available.

Name of Program and Exam Licensure Exam Pass Rate Link
Vocational Nursing - BVNPT Exam 2015: 37 taken, 76% pass
2014: 13 taken, 77% pass
2013: 13 taken, 77% pass
2012: 10 taken, 90% pass
2011: 18 taken, 100% pass
http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/vn_pass_rates.pdf (Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians)
EMT 2014: 32 taken, 72% pass
2013: 42 taken, 83% pass
2012: 24 taken, 79% pass
2011: 14 taken, 57% pass
2010: 57 taken, 67% pass
National Registry EMT

Graduation and Retention Rates for Student Athletes

Information to come.

Equity in Athletic Disclosure

Reporting Year: 7/1/2010 - 6/30/2011
Reporting Official: Kimberlee Kelly
Title: Athletic Director
Phone: 760-384-6353
Sanctioning Body: Other (CCCAA)
Number of Full-time Undergraduates: 1,218
Men: 502
Women: 716
Athletics Participation
  Number of participants as of the day of the first scheduled contest
Varsity Teams Men's Teams Women's Teams
Baseball 24  
Basketball   11
Total Participants Men's and Women's Teams 24 11
Unduplicated Count of Participants
(Number of individuals who participated on at least one varsity team.)
24 11

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Head Coaches - Men's Teams

  Male Head Coaches Female Head Coaches  
Varsity Teams Assigned to Team on a Full-Time Basis Assigned to Team on a Part-Time Basis Full-Time Institution Employee Part-Time Institution Employee or Volunteer Assigned to Team on a Full-Time Basis Assigned to Team on a Part-Time Basis Full-Time Institution Employee Part-Time Institution Employee or Volunteer Total Head Coaches
Baseball   1   1         1
Coaching Position Totals 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Head Coaches - Women's Teams

  Male Head Coaches Female Head Coaches  
Varsity Teams Assigned to Team on a Full-Time Basis Assigned to Team on a Part-Time Basis Full-Time Institution Employee Part-Time Institution Employee or Volunteer Assigned to Team on a Full-Time Basis Assigned to Team on a Part-Time Basis Full-Time Institution Employee Part-Time Institution Employee or Volunteer Total Head Coaches
Basketball   1 1           1
Coaching Position Totals 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Head Coaches' Salaries

  Men's Teams Women's Teams
Average Annual Institutional Salary per Head Coach $9,564 $9,273
Number of Head Coaches Included in Average 1 1
Average Annual Institutional Salary per FTE $28,982 $28,100
Number of FTEs Included in Average 0.33 0.33

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Assistant Coaches - Men's Teams

  Male Assistant Coaches Female Assistant Coaches  
Varsity Teams Assigned to Team on a Full-Time Basis Assigned to Team on a Part-Time Basis Full-Time Institution Employee Part-Time Institution Employee or Volunteer Assigned to Team on a Full-Time Basis Assigned to Team on a Part-Time Basis Full-Time Institution Employee Part-Time Institution Employee or Volunteer Total Assistant Coaches
Baseball   1   1         1
Coaching Position Totals 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Assistant Coaches - Women's Teams

  Male Assistant Coaches Female Assistant Coaches  
Varsity Teams Assigned to Team on a Full-Time Basis Assigned to Team on a Part-Time Basis Full-Time Institution Employee Part-Time Institution Employee or Volunteer Assigned to Team on a Full-Time Basis Assigned to Team on a Part-Time Basis Full-Time Institution Employee Part-Time Institution Employee or Volunteer Total Assistant Coaches
Basketball   1   1         1
Coaching Position Totals 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Assistant Coaches' Salaries

  Men's Teams Women's Teams
Average Annual Institutional Salary per Head Coach $2,500 $2,500
Number of Head Coaches Included in Average 1 1
Average Annual Institutional Salary per FTE $16,667 $16,667
Number of FTEs Included in Average 0.15 0.15

Source: The Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool, July 11, 2012.

Information Regarding Health and Safety

Campus Safety and Security

This information can be found online:

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Substance Abuse Policy

In accordance with Public Law 101-226, "Drug Free Schools and Communities Acts Amendment of 1989" Cerro Coso Community College prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students, faculty, or staff on the premises of the college property. Any student or employee in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the college or termination from employment. In addition, persons that are not students or employees of the college, while they are on college property, are required to adhere to the standards of conduct applicable to the Cerro Coso students and to abide by all Kern Community College District Board Policies.

Financial Aid Ineligibility Due to a Drug Offense

A conviction for any drug related offense, during the period of enrollment for which a student is receiving funding under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of eligibility for any federal and or state grant, loan, or work-study assistance. Students with a conviction for any drug related offense may petition to have Financial Aid eligibility reinstated pending verification of satisfactory completion of an approved rehabilitation program that meets the standards set by Congress and the Department of Education. You will regain eligibility effective on the date that you successfully complete the program.

Alcohol Abuse and Violations

From the Student Conduct Policy: The use, sale, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance prohibited by law, on campus or at any function sponsored or supervised by the College.

Need Help?

If you are experiencing problems with substance abuse or need some preventative assistance, counseling, or a referral of a treatment center, please contact the Cerro Coso Counseling Office at 760-384-6219, or the College Community Services Center, 1400 Norma St. Suite 133, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.

Regaining Eligibility after a Drug Violation

Students with a conviction for any drug related offense may petition to have Financial Aid eligibility reinstated pending verification of satisfactory completion of an approved rehabilitation program that meets the standards set by Congress and the Department of Education. Suggested programs are listed below, but verify with the Vice President of Student Services (760-384-6249) before starting the program. You will regain eligibility effective on the date that you successfully complete the program.

  • Alcoholics Anonymous 760-371-9120

More information can be found online at:

Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures

This information can be found online: