• Dr. Jerry C. Lee Appoints Dr. Dana Gibson as Third National University President
• National University System Acquires WestMed College as Newest Affiliate
• National University System Joins NASILP
• National University System Names Three to Board of Trustees
• National University System to Open K-12 Charter School Focused on Health Care Education
• National University's Endowment Continues to Rank Among Nation's 200 Largest

College of Oceaneering Adds Second Facility in San Diego

January 3, 2003

San Diego, CA - The College of Oceaneering (COO), a National University System affiliate and a leading educator of professionals in commercial diving, nondestructive testing, underwater welding and advanced diving and hyperbaric medicine, has opened a new satellite facility here to meet a growing demand for its graduates.

In addition to standard classrooms, the San Diego facility includes a diving tank, a hyperbaric chamber and a nondestructive testing lab, an open computer lab and a computer-equipped classroom. Located on Aero Court in Kearny Mesa, it will offer the same programs available at the home campus in Wilmington, CA with the exception of the WeldTech® specialty. However, students interested in the WeldTech® program can take their first 30 weeks of classes in San Diego and then transfer to Wilmington to complete the specialty program there.

Applications are now being accepted for classes in San Diego. COO plans to offer additional topside programs at both locations by next year.  

COO was acquired by the National University System in January 2002.  The non-profit institution, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, provides Associate of Science degrees in marine technologies. It operates within the National University System as a separate but affiliated entity.  

The College of Oceaneering (COO) is a non-profit institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Commercial Diving Educators (ACDE).  It is approved by the United States Department of Education to participate in Title IV Student Financial Assistance Programs, approved by the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for international student enrollment, and approved to enroll veterans for the purpose of receiving educational benefits. 

Founded 1967, COO has educated more than 8,500 students and graduates close to 300 entry-level professionals per year in the fields of hyperbaric medical technology, non-destructive testing technology, underwater welding technology, and marine technologies. Its Los Angeles Harbor facility is considered one of the most respected diver training centers in the world, educating a educating a workforce that is in high demand among offshore energy exploration, marine development industries and engineering firms throughout the world. It is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Council on Education, the International Diving Schools Association, the American Welding Society, the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technologists, the Historical Diving Society and the Association of Diving Contractors. 

For more information, visit the COO Web site at www.coo.edu or call Hoyt Smith at (858) 642-8111.