North-West College is a family owned private for-profit postsecondary college. North-West College offers diploma, associate degree and certification programs at each of its seven campuses throughout the Los Angeles and Riverside areas. North-West College was established in 1966 by Marsha Fuerst. Fuerst’s family has been involved in the allied health field since the early 1950s. North-West College continues to be owned and operated by the Fuerst family.
History
North-West College was founded in 1966 by Marsha Fuerst. The Fuerst family, who still own and operate the college, help train men and women of all ages for professional careers in the field of health care. To date, North-West College has graduated more than 35,000 students. Since its founding, the college has grown to include seven campuses in the greater Los Angeles area. The college’s operations are currently directed by its president, Mitchell Fuerst.
On October 10, 1966 North-West College (NWC) opened its doors with two classes and 43 students. North-West College was founded by the Fuerst family matriarch Marsha Fuerst. In 2010, Fuerst was a recipient of the CAPPS (California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools) Hall of Fame STAR award. This award was created in 2009 to honor its dedicated members.
North-West College helps train students of all ages for professional careers in the field of health care. They offer programs including Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing, Surgical Technology, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy and others. To date, NWC alone has graduated more than 35,000 students. Since its founding, the college has grown to include seven campuses in the greater Los Angeles area. The college’s operations are currently directed by its President, Mitchell Fuerst. After joining the organization in 1994, Mitchell Fuerst held multiple positions while working alongside his mother. He followed in her footsteps and became President of SEC in 2010.
In mid-2013, NWC came to the aid of Southern California-based Newbridge College when the U.S. Department of Education approved a deal known as a “teach out†which allows NWC to keep the Long Beach and Santa Ana Campuses open and continue offering career training programs for the current students. The college is expected to remain open for at least two more years as part of an agreement with North-West College and the Department of Education to ensure current student matriculation and to assist others in the area.
In August 1990, the school was the site of a shooting in which an administrator was killed and two students were wounded. Reputed local gang member Martin Meza allegedly entered the campus and was thought to be looking for a student with whom he had been living. While on campus, Meza fatally shot an employee who had just been promoted from instructor to placement director and wounded two students. It was later learned that the student drove the getaway car. Meza was arrested but escaped from a Mexicali jail.
Programs
North-West College provides a variety of health care career training programs. Programs available for students include:
- Dental Assistant
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Ultrasound Tech)
- Eyecare Specialist
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Insurance Biller and Coder
- Pharmacy Technician
- Surgical Technologist
- Vocational Nurse
- Associate of Science in Healthcare Administration
Accreditation
North-West College is accredited with the following establishments:
- All seven North-West College campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
- Approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- Surgical Technology programs at the North-West College West Covina and Riverside campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- The Pharmacy Technician program at the North-West College West Covina, Pomona, Pasadena and Glendale campuses is accredited and recognized by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
- Vocational Nursing programs are approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).
- Dental Assistant Programs are approved by the California Board of Dental Examiners to train dental assistants at the registered level (West Covina and Pomona Campuses).
- A charter member of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools which includes the California Association of Paramedical Schools (CAPPS).
- Approved for the training of veterans.
- Approved to train State Vocational Rehabilitation Students.
Locations
North-West College offers seven locations in the state of California. Campuses are located in West Covina, Riverside, Santa Ana, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, and Pomona. Each campus has laboratories and lecture rooms. Equipment provided is similar to the equipment that students will use in the field. Campus locations are as follows:
2101 W. Garvey Ave. N. West Covina, CA 91790
530 E. Union St. Pasadena, CA 91101
4550 LaSierra Ave. Riverside, CA 92505
134 W. Holt Ave. Pomona, CA 91768
221 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91203
1840 E. 17th St. Santa Ana, CA 92705
3799 E Burnett St. Long Beach, CA 90815
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