All you need to know about Valencia college

About Valencia College

Valencia College grew from humble beginnings and became an innovative leader in the higher education field with a reputation for student success. It provides affordable, high-quality education to all applicants by creating a welcoming educational environment and focusing on the improvement of student outcomes.

Mission

Whether graduates choose to enter the workforce immediately, transfer to the University of Central Florida via DirectConnect to UCF, or continue their education at another four-year institution at the baccalaureate level, Valencia considers it a mission to ensure that they leave with the necessary preparation and a transformative belief in themselves.

History

Valencia Junior College began in the fall of 1967 in some portable buildings on West Oakridge Road in Orlando. It later became Valencia College. Although the facilities were modest, the college’s goal was to assist its students in becoming as successful as possible in their classes, careers, and lives. A small group of educators, armed with a passion for teaching and a concern for the students, began to teach the increasing number of students who arrived on campus.

Fast facts

• Valencia College had the title of the nation’s best community college in the inaugural Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
• Because of financial aid, one-third of Valencia College students pay nothing for the tuition fee.
• Valencia College was the starting point for nearly one out of every four University of Central Florida graduates.
• Valencia College has the fifth position in the nation for the number of associate degrees awarded to Hispanic students.
• Valencia College has an annual economic impact of more than $1 billion on the region.

Equal opportunities

Valencia College strictly prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on protected status. Valencia College strives to be a community where all members feel safe and secure, they can learn and work without fear of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and/or retaliation. Students, faculty, and staff must follow the college’s policy, which prohibits the aforementioned actions as well as sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, and interpersonal violence, including dating and domestic violence.

Campus

Valencia College has several locations in Orange and Osceola counties. Students can take classes at one or all locations. If a student prefers to learn close to home, then there is almost certainly a location nearby.

The Downtown campus

Valencia College Downtown Campus allows students to live and learn in downtown Orlando. This campus provides on-campus housing and is ideal for students who want to study in a central location setting while also having a variety of options for activities on nights and weekends.

The East campus

East meets art on its campus, which houses the School of Arts and Entertainment.

This artistic environment inspires a sketch or two from the banks of the Little Econlockhatchee River. It is convenient for students taking general education classes and earning an A.A. degree because it is only a few minutes away from UCF.

Lake Nona campus

Lake Nona’s proximity to the medical city emphasizes future careers in medicine and biotechnology. High school students can earn a Valencia College degree while also receiving their diploma through a partnership with Lake Nona High.

Poinciana campus

Valencia’s Poinciana Campus features a wide range of classrooms, amenities, labs, and a cutting-edge culinary kitchen, giving Poinciana residents access to everything the college has to offer. Students can also train for a higher-paying job in just a few weeks with Accelerated Skills Training programs at Ponciana.

The West campus

West is ideal for engineering, architecture, math, and health sciences programs. It offers incredible technology in some of the most recent LEED-certified green buildings. It also offers UCF degree programs on campus.

Campus in Winter Park

Winter Park is a central, convenient, tucked-away powerhouse of learning in one of America’s most beautiful cities. The Jeffersonian Honors Program, which aims to produce active, global citizens, is available on this campus.

Courses

Whether a student wants to transfer to a university or start a career right away, Valencia has a degree and accelerated programs to help them get there. With over 140 degree and certificate programs, accelerated training, and continuing education options, students will be able to pursue their passion—whether that’s a new career path or professional advancement in their current position.

Popular associate programs for study areas

• Liberal arts and sciences
• Registered nursing
• Business administration and management
• Hospitality administration/management
• Criminal justice/law enforcement administration
• Office management and supervision
• Fire prevention and safety technology
• Information technology
• Legal assistant/paralegal
• Cinematography and film/video production

Study areas for certificate courses

• Business administration and management
• Operations management and supervision
• Emergency medical technology/technician (EMT paramedic)
• Entrepreneurship/entrepreneurial studies
• Hotel/motel administration/management
• Network and system administration/administrator
• Computer graphics
• Baking and pastry arts/baker/pastry chef
• Computer systems analysis/analyst
• Computer programming/programmer

Study areas for bachelor’s courses

• Business administration and management
• Registered nursing
• Medical radiologic technology/science
• Electrical, electronic, and communications engineering technology
• Respiratory care therapy
• Information technology

Rankings

The college’s graduation rates have national recognition, including the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence in 2011-2012. Valencia College is assisting in the transformation of Central Florida into an engine of economic opportunity for its residents by offering various degree programs, continuing education courses, and accelerated skills training.

Valencia has been one of the top 50 community colleges in the country by Washington Monthly (2013).

Valencia has the first position in several categories in the most recent Community College Week rankings (for the 2012-2013 academic year), including-

• 2nd in the number of one-year certificates awarded.
• 4th in the number of associate degrees awarded.
• 5th in the number of associate degrees awarded to Hispanic students.
• 7th in the number of associate degrees awarded to African-American students.

Valencia College’s DirectConnectTM to UCF program had the title of America’s top program for increasing academic opportunities and success for Latino students at the associate level in October 2012 by Excelencia in Education, a Washington, D.C.-based organization.

Alumni

Notable alumni-

• Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys 
• ‘N Snync’s Chris Kirkpatrick
• Rich Crotty, Orlando County Mayor
• Dick Batchelor, a former state legislator

Key takeaways

• Valencia Junior College began in 1967 in a few portable buildings on West Oakridge Road in Orlando. The college’s goal was to help its students achieve success in their classes, careers, and lives. 
• Valencia has several campuses in Orange and Osceola counties. Students can attend classes at one or all locations. If a student prefers to live close to home, then they can certainly find a location nearby.
• With over 140 degree and certificate programs, accelerated training, and continuing education options, students will be able to pursue their passion at Valencia College.

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FAQs

Q1. What GPA do you need to get admission to Valencia College?

Ans- Students must complete 67% of all credits attempted with a passing grade and must maintain a minimum Valencia GPA of 2.0.

Q2. Does Valencia College accept international students?

Ans- Under federal law, Valencia College has permission to enroll nonimmigrant students on F/J visas. The college must receive your application materials before the International Application Priority Deadline for the term in which you wish to enroll.

Q3. How much is Valencia College’s application fee?

Ans- When you apply for admission to Valencia College, you must pay a $35.00 non-refundable and non-transferable application fee. These fees are applicable for credit, audit, full-time, part-time, day, or evening students.