About Pacific Coast College - United States of America

Our Mission

Education That Empowers, Research That Matters

Pacific Coast College is dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity, professional excellence, and civic responsibility in every student who walks through our doors — whether on campus or online.

Founded in 2008 on the scenic West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast College has grown from a small professional training institute into a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across nine schools. Our philosophy is simple: combine rigorous academics with hands-on experience, and ground everything in a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement.

We believe that the most pressing challenges of our time — from climate change to technological disruption — do not fit neatly within traditional academic boundaries. That is why our curriculum is deliberately interdisciplinary, encouraging students to connect ideas across fields and cultures.

Our Core Values

What Drives Us Every Day

◆

Innovation

We embrace new ideas, emerging technologies, and creative approaches to teaching and research. Our faculty are encouraged to experiment, and our students are empowered to build what has not been built before.

❖

Sustainability

From our LEED-certified buildings to our carbon-neutral operations plan, sustainability is not an afterthought — it is woven into the fabric of campus life, academic programs, and institutional decision-making.

✦

Interdisciplinarity

The most important problems do not come in departments. Our students learn to draw on multiple fields — business, science, humanities, technology — to develop solutions that are both rigorous and humane.

✧

Community

We are more than a campus. Through service-learning, local partnerships, and global outreach, our students and faculty contribute meaningfully to the communities — local and international — of which they are a part.

⬥

Accessibility

Quality education should not be a privilege. We offer flexible online programs, generous financial aid, and multiple entry points so that motivated learners everywhere can pursue their goals.

◈

Integrity

We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in research, teaching, and governance. Academic honesty, transparency, and respect for diverse perspectives are non-negotiable.

Our Journey

A Brief History of Pacific Coast College

2008

Founding

Pacific Coast College was founded with a single mission: to provide practical, industry-relevant professional education on the U.S. West Coast. Our first cohort of just 48 students began classes in temporary facilities.

2011

First Accreditation

The College earned regional accreditation and launched its first graduate programs, including the flagship MBA. Enrollment surpassed 500 students for the first time.

2014

Campus Expansion

PCC opened its main campus complex, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, a library, and dedicated research facilities. The School of Engineering and School of Health Sciences were established.

2017

Online Learning Launch

Recognizing the needs of working professionals and international students, PCC launched its Global Online Learning division, bringing its programs to learners in over 30 countries.

2020

Doctoral Programs

The DBA and PhD programs were introduced, cementing PCC's status as a comprehensive institution. The School of Medicine welcomed its inaugural class the following year.

2024

Today & Beyond

With over 12,000 alumni worldwide and nine academic schools, PCC continues to grow. Our new Sustainability Research Center and expanded online division position us for the next chapter.

Leadership

Office of the President

President's Welcome

"Welcome to Pacific Coast College. Whether you are a prospective student, a parent, an alumnus, or a partner, I invite you to explore what makes this institution special. Here, you will find a community that takes ideas seriously — but never takes itself too seriously.

Our location on the Pacific Coast shapes who we are: outward-looking, innovative, and deeply connected to the natural world. Our faculty are scholars and practitioners who bring the real world into the classroom. Our students are curious, ambitious, and unafraid to cross boundaries.

I hope you will visit us, virtually or in person, and see for yourself what makes PCC unique."

— Dr. Margaret L. Chen, President, Pacific Coast College

Accreditation & Recognition

Committed to Academic Quality

Regional Accreditation

Pacific Coast College is accredited by a recognized U.S. regional accrediting body, ensuring that our programs meet rigorous academic standards and that credits are transferable to other institutions.

Program Accreditations

Individual programs hold specialized accreditations from relevant professional bodies, including the School of Business (ACBSP-aligned), School of Health Sciences, and School of Engineering.

State Authorization

PCC is authorized to operate and grant degrees by the relevant state higher education authority, and participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) for online education.

Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders, Today