Brief History
Initially the college was opened as a general campus back in the year 1954 and named as the Merritt School of Business. Present Laney College also functioned alongside with the name of Oakland Junior College. It started functioning as the Merritt College from 1971 in the present campus.
Campus
Original campus of the college was at Grove Street of University High School during 1923-43 at 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. It shifted to the present campus in the year 1971 after a bond was issued establishing a new downtown Oakland campus building for Laney College and founding of College of Alameda.
Programs Offered
Occupational programs like nursing and other health professions are offered by the college. Community social services, substance abuse counseling, computer information, landscape horticulture, environmental hazardous materials technology, environmental management, restoration technology, and paralegal studies are also offered. One year Microscopy certificate is one of the novelties among the programs.
Special Programs
Instructional programs offered include allied health, insurance a course in miracles , communication, radiological science, real estate and legal administration. Degrees offered include Associate Degree in Nursing; Associate of Arts in Child Development; and Associate of Science in Radiological Science. However, the highlight is the online education and completion of courses online with only occasional academic meeting.
Admission
The college is open to all students that have completed diploma from secondary schools or equivalents. Applications can be filed online or by FAX and telephone. An assessment test is mandatory. Orientation can be scheduled with the help of a college counselor. Dual credit and career placements are the accepted credits for admission.
Accreditation
Merritt College has been accredited by the Commission for Community and Junior College of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Financial Aid and Student Support
Merritt College offers multiple financial aids for eligible students using FAFSA. One can visit the state university website for details of the aids, scholarships and loan facilities provided. College provides remedial services, PT cost defraying employment, academic and career counseling, on campus day care and career placement as student services
