Clover Park Technical College | Field Guide 2024

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Clover Park Technical College offers 42 programs with over 120 degree or certificate options arranged into seven career pathways: advanced manufacturing; aerospace and aviation; automotive and trades; business and personal services; health and human development; nursing; and science, technology, engineering, and design. With campuses in Lakewood and South Hill, we offer online, hybrid, and on-campus courses for students starting their first career, taking their next step in a career, or finding a new career. Our affordable and accessible programs help people of every age and background, from new high school graduates to seasoned employees, gain new skills and fully participate in our workforce. As a technical college that serves Washingtonians hardest hit by strained economic conditions, we are key to creating stronger and more inclusive opportunities.

Key Facts

Highest Enrolled Programs

Nursing: Practical Nursing
Esthetic Sciences
Network Operations and Systems Security
Cosmetology
Pre-nursing (NTA/MRP)

Enrollment

Headcount (all sources): 5,259
FTES (all sources): 3,152
Headcount (state-funded): 4,651
FTES (state-funded): 2,687

Students in Selected Programs

Applied bachelor's: 84
Apprentices: 134
I-BEST: 238
International: 26
Running Start: 136
Technical High School: 413
Worker Retraining: 264

Student Profile

Type of Student

Academic/transfer: 3%
Basic skills: 15%
Workforce education: 72%
Other: 9%

Race/Ethnicity*

Students of color: 55%

American Indian/Alaska Native: 4%
Asian: 13%
Black/African American: 21%
Hispanic/Latino: 21%
Pacific Islander: 4%
White: 59%

Attendance

Full-time: 63%
Part-time: 37%

Family and Finances

Students receiving need-based financial aid: 37%
Students with dependents: 41%

Gender

Female: 62%
Male: 38%

Median age

Points of Interest

New Corporate Education builds local workforce

Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) opened a Corporate Education department in July 2023. This team focuses on the workforce development needs of corporations, for-profits, non-profits, and government agencies to provide results-focused training programs, personalized coaching, and solutions-oriented consulting programs. Customized courses are delivered by industry professionals to fit the workforce goals of each client. Corporate Education offers grants and other funding to offset business costs.

Expanding the Environmental Sciences ecosystem

Beginning fall quarter 2023, CPTC started to offer a new Environmental Sciences Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS-ENV) degree. The BAS-ENV is the first program of its kind offered at a Washington state technical or community college. The BAS-ENV includes highly relevant classes from some of CPTC’s four other Bachelor of Applied Science programs as well as classes from its AAS program that are better suited for a four-year degree, including environmental law and introduction to air pollution. A project management component is also included to position graduates for career advancement. Graduates of the BAS-ENV program will have the skills, knowledge, and credentials needed to jump into an array of environmental, biotech, or natural resources careers.

Building bridges in the nursing program

In fall 2023, CPTC launched a new pathway for licensed practical nurses who want to continue their education without giving up their jobs. The part-time LPN-RN Transition Program offers weekend and evening classes and is specifically tailored for working LPNs. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Once they pass the exam, they will officially be an RN and ready to provide more direct patient care, have more career advancement opportunities and earn a higher salary. In addition to the new LPN-RN Transition Program, CPTC reduced its Practical Nursing Certificate to expedite the career pathways of students into new jobs.

Data is from the 2022-23 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted.

*Students of color percent based on unduplicated headcount. Students may be counted in more than one race, so race/ethnicity percentages may not total 100%. Percentages calculated on reported value.

Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.