Career Services

(408) 741-2040
https://www.westvalley.edu/services/careers/

West Valley College Career Services serves as a hub to connect students to career tools and opportunities, resources, and courses. 

Services Offered:

• Job and internship database through Handshake
• Handouts, guides, and tips 

 

Honors

(408) 741-2590
https://www.westvalley.edu/learning-communities/honors/

The Honors University Transfer Program at West Valley College offers highly motivated students the opportunity to work closely with dedicated faculty and a community of driven peers while engaging in advanced levels of critical thinking, analysis, research, writing, and communication. The program’s goal is to engage, support, and challenge intellectually curious students who seek a deeper and more meaningful educational experience, empowering them to create pathways to success in their academic, professional, and personal lives. Honors courses provide an enriched learning experience through rigorous and engaging coursework, dedicated faculty mentorship, typically smaller class sizes, and the opportunity to collaborate with other highly motivated students. Learn more and apply here: https://www.westvalley.edu/learning-communities/honors/

Eligibility, Maintenance, and Completion

New and current WVC students meeting the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

• Current WVC student qualification:
  • Completed at least 9 units of transferable coursework
  • Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher in those 9+ units of transferable coursework
• High school student qualification:
  • Completed at least 10th grade (or will complete 10th grade by end of Spring semester applying in)
  • Earned an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher

Students are encouraged to complete at least two Honors classes over an academic year. To maintain active membership in the program, students must maintain a 3.4+ cumulative GPA in transferable coursework and take at least one Honors course every two years. Earning Honors Scholar, i.e., successfully completing the program and receiving all the benefits that entails, requires a student to complete a total of 15+ Honors units with a cumulative GPA of 3.4+ in all transferable coursework.

Notes on earning WVC Honors Scholar:

• Qualifying Honors courses must be at least three (3) units each
• At most six (6) Honors units may be completed at Mission College
• Students may also earn the STEM Honors Scholar distinction for certain coursework
• UCLA TAP has its own additional requirements for Honors Scholars – see below

There is no adverse consequence if a student joins the Honors Program and does not end up meeting the requirements to earn Honors Scholar.

Program Benefits

Students who earn Honors Scholar receive all benefits from the WVC program, all benefits of local and statewide Honors organizations, and all transfer benefits to highly selective universities. WVC provides a permanent Honors Scholar notation on students’ academic transcripts and a special Honors Medal to wear during and keep after commencement. Our membership in the Bay Honors Consortium and the Honors Transfer Council of California provide students with advantages in the application, transfer, and scholarship process. Our accreditation with highly selective universities significantly increases the chance of admission to schools like UCLA, UC Irvine, Yale University, and many more. 

One of WVC’s most notable benefits to Honors students is its partnership with UCLA's Transfer Alliance Program (TAP). Students completing the Honors Program and earning Honors Scholar receive priority consideration for admission to UCLA via TAP. If accepted to UCLA through TAP, students are also eligible to apply for scholarships and other opportunities reserved only for those in the Transfer Alliance Program. Learn more about UCLA TAP at: http://tap.ucla.edu.

Important Update for UCLA TAP: Effective May 1, 2026, UCLA clarified and formalized two expectations for Honors applicants seeking TAP certification:

1. 1. The earliest Honors students may complete the TAP certification process is during the second year of their college studies following high school graduation.
   2. A maximum of six (6) units of Honors coursework counting towards TAP certification may be completed before high school graduation; all remaining units must be completed afterward.

Please see the Honors Website and Honors Canvas Page for additional information.

 

Intercollegiate Athletics

(408) 741-2017
https://westvalley.prestosports.com/landing/index

The College offers men’s and women’s sports at the intercollegiate level. West Valley College is a member of the Coast Conference and participates in water polo, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, swimming, beach volleyball, volleyball and tennis. Students interested in participation and in learning about eligibility requirements may contact the Department of Kinesiology and Athletics at West Valley College.

Service Area Outcomes

After participating in Intercollegiate Athletics a student will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the rules and /or assignment of the sport of participation
• Demonstrate improvement in 3-5 skills specific to the participants sport
• Demonstrate team commitment and team strategies to be successful

 

Library

(408) 741-2028
https://www.westvalley.edu/library/

The Library offers a wide variety of resources and services. These include reference assistance, orientations and classes in how to use the library to conduct research. The Library offers coursework covering research skills, information competency, digital literacy, and critical thinking. The library collection includes books, periodicals, reference materials, databases, streaming media, e-books, laptops, photographic and video equipment, and audiovisual media. Current students may use their student ID card to borrow materials. Computers and printing are available in the library. Library hours are posted at the front entrance to the Library and on the Library website: https://www.westvalley.edu/library/

Service Area Outcomes

After completing courses, orientations, or workshops, a student will be able to do one or more of the following:

• Gather, evaluate, organize and use information in order to successfully complete research projects;
• Properly cite sources according to established formats such as MLA and APA;
• Explain the legal and ethical aspects of research, including copyright and plagiarism.

 

STEM Resource Center 

(408) 741-2053
https://www.westvalley.edu/schools/science-math/stem/index.html 

The STEM Resource Center (STEM RC) provides academic support, organizes events to engage students with science and the community, and connects students with internship and research opportunities. Students can access free drop-in peer tutoring at the MESA Center, in the MRC (SM 5), and online. Additionally, the STEM RC provides resources such as group tables, study rooms, whiteboards, computer stations, textbooks, and calculators. 

Service Area Outcomes

After accessing and using the STEM Resource Center, a student will:

• Build their support network 
• Increase their awareness and access to academic and career opportunities
• Develop group and individual learning strategies

 

Success Center

(408) 741-2038
https://www.westvalley.edu/services/success-center/

The Success Center promotes life-long learning by providing tutorial support, engaging in facilitative learning techniques, assisting students with time management and planning, demonstrating effective studying strategies, providing stress management tools, and helping students set academic and personal goals. All currently enrolled West Valley Students are eligible for FREE support by trained, qualified peer tutors in a wide variety of subjects. Most tutoring is offered on a drop-in basis, though some individual and group appointments can be made. The Center also offers study group facilitation, exam review sessions, use of specialized software on in-house computers, and tailored strategies for a diverse range of learners. Opportunities for paid tutor positions are open on an ongoing basis for qualified applicants; check our website or visit the Center for more information.

Service Area Outcomes

After accessing and using the Success Center, a student will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of campus support services;
• Understand and identify effective time-management and study skills;
• Identify their preferred learning modes and employ them in order to comprehend course materials.

After accessing and using the Success Center, facilitated study groups will be able to:

• Identify and understand effective group study strategies;
• Empower each other to learn difficult course concepts and problem-solve together to achieve course goals;
• Employ and utilize these techniques, whether in the Center or on their own.

After being employed by and working in the Success Center, peer tutors will be able to:

• Understand and follow legal guidelines for peer support (e.g. FERPA) and professionalism in the workplace;
• Demonstrate knowledge of effective study strategies, time management skills, facilitated learning techniques, and the various types of learners we encounter;
• Facilitate group and individual learning of course concepts through differentiated strategies that address a wide variety of learners;
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills, including but not limited to effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills and emotional intelligence.