Founded in the early 1970s California College San Diego has a rich history. It began as the Scottsdale Education Center in Phoenix Arizona. It offered various allied health and technical programs. A Respiratory Therapy Technician Program started in 1974. The college moved to California in 1977. It operated in San Diego until 1980. The college only offered a Respiratory Therapy Technician program then. A distance education model for the program launched in 1978. The name changed to California College of Health Sciences in 1983.
The college expanded its academic offerings. It included degrees in business technology and medical specialties. In 1996 National Education Company acquired the college. Harcourt General acquired it in 1997. In 2001 Thomson Corporation acquired it. California College Inc purchased the college in 2003. The name then changed to California College San Diego. It became part of a family of schools including Stevens-Henager College and CollegeAmerica.
In 2012 the college aimed for non-profit status. This was for Title IV financial aid purposes. A whistleblower lawsuit followed in Idaho. Two former recruiters alleged violations of federal compensation bans. The US Department of Justice joined the suit. The Department of Education rejected the college’s non-profit application in 2016. The college had two locations. One was at 6602 Convoy Court San Diego. Another was at 277 Rancheros Drive Suite 200 in San Marcos.
California College San Diego was accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Some programs had additional accreditations. The college closed on August 1 2021. This was after its owners the Center for Excellence in Higher Education informed the US Department of Education. The closure affected several institutions. It included CollegeAmerica Phoenix Independence University and Stevens-Henager College. The college’s legacy continues through its former students. They made contributions to their chosen fields. The college’s impact on San Diego is undeniable. It trained numerous professionals in healthcare business and technology.