High Desert Medical College: Programs, Accreditation, and Student Experience

High Desert Medical College (HDMC) is a private, for-profit institution that offers focused healthcare career training programs. With multiple campuses in California, HDMC aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the allied health and veterinary fields. This article delves into the programs offered, accreditation status, campus locations, and overall student experience at High Desert Medical College.

Overview of High Desert Medical College

Incorporated in California in 2002, High Desert Medical College began classes at its Lancaster campus in 2003. The college expanded its reach in 2008 by launching a Bakersfield branch campus, followed by opening its Temecula campus in 2018. Today, High Desert Medical College serves an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 students per academic year, though enrollment varies by campus location.

HDMC is committed to offering a quality educational experience and assistance in individualized placement so graduates can utilize their knowledge and skills to enter their chosen career fields. The college features a hybrid learning model, allowing students to complete portions of their programs online while attending labs and hands-on training in person. High Desert Medical College also offers flexible scheduling with evening options available.

Campus Locations and Facilities

High Desert Medical College has three campuses in California: Lancaster, Bakersfield, and Temecula. Each campus is conveniently located near public transportation, restaurants, and shopping centers. Whether you’re commuting or exploring between classes, each campus is designed to offer convenience, connection, and a supportive learning environment close to home. The Lancaster campus, for instance, features more than 26,000 square feet of medical education space and is located close to many retailers like Lowes and Target.

Accreditation and Licensing

High Desert Medical College is accredited by ACCET, the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Additionally, HDMC is licensed to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) in California. Accreditation is a crucial factor for prospective students as it indicates that the institution meets certain standards of quality and accountability.

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Programs Offered

High Desert Medical College provides specific education for a targeted future healthcare career. Healthcare employment is projected to grow 13% from 2021 to 2031, faster than average occupations. The college offers a variety of programs, with tuition varying by program. Here's an overview of some of the programs:

Phlebotomy Technician: Tuition starts at $945.
Associate Degree of Nursing: Tuition is approximately $75,472.
Love What You Do Surg Tech AAS 61-Week Program: Enrolling Now! Start this March.
Pharmacy Technician: 9-month healthcare #careertraining programs.
Sterile Processing: Classes are now enrolling. Learn how to sterilize, clean, process, assemble, store and distribute medical equipment in as little as 8 months.
Dental Assisting: Program available.
Surgical Technology AAS program: Program available at both Temecula and Lancaster campuses.
Cannabis Dispensary Agent Certification: The total charges for this program: $242.00.
Nursing Assistant: The total charges for this program: $3,255.00.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Associate of Applied Science: The total charges for this program: $59,974.00.
Cardiac Sonography Associate of Applied Science: The total charges for this program: $59,120.00.
Vocational Nursing: The total charges for this program: $89,995.00.
Medical Billing and Coding: The total charges for this program: $19,340.00.

These programs are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen healthcare careers.

Hybrid Learning Model and Flexible Scheduling

At High Desert Medical College, most of our programs are hybrid, so you can complete a portion of your program online and labs in person. Our flexible programs are designed to work around your busy life and schedule. High Desert Medical College offers many programs with flexible scheduling, including evening options.

Student Experience and Support Services

HDMC CAREER + COLLEGE NEWS FAQs about High Desert Medical College Is High Desert Medical College Accredited? High Desert Medical College is accredited by ACCET, the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Additionally, HDMC is licensed to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) in California. Does High Desert Medical College Offer Online or Hybrid Programs? At High Desert Medical College, most of our programs are hybrid, so you can complete a portion of your program online and labs in person. Our flexible programs are designed to work around your busy life and schedule. Can I Take Classes At Night? High Desert Medical College offers many programs with flexible scheduling, including evening options. Can High Desert Medical College Help Me Find a Job After Graduation? Yes, High Desert Medical College’s career services department offers comprehensive support to help match students with an externship, then transition from externship to employment. Placement assistance includes, but is not limited to resume assistance, mock interviews, job placement assistance, and connections with local employers, although employment is not guaranteed. Where are the High Desert Medical College campuses located? High Desert Medical College has three campuses in California: Lancaster, Bakersfield, and Temecula. Each campus is conveniently located near public transportation, restaurants, and shopping centers. Whether you’re commuting or exploring between classes, each campus is designed to offer convenience, connection, and a supportive learning environment close to home. Do I Need an Appointment to Tour a High Desert Medical College Campus? No appointment needed - we love walk-ins! Stop by the HDMC Lancaster, Temecula, or Bakersfield campus locations anytime for a campus tour. Check in at the front office between 8 am to 7 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8 am to 5 pm on Fridays. How Do I Get Started at High Desert Medical College? Click here to get in contact with us. Give us a call or come by for a tour and let us answer the rest of your questions. Invite your family or friends to come along, too.

Career Services

Yes, High Desert Medical College’s career services department offers comprehensive support to help match students with an externship, then transition from externship to employment. Placement assistance includes, but is not limited to resume assistance, mock interviews, job placement assistance, and connections with local employers, although employment is not guaranteed.

Community and Support

At HDMC, we believe in a culture of community and support by helping students along their Path to Purpose. We are here for you from enrollment to graduation, placement and beyond.

Innovation in Education

Our classroom environment and labs incorporate modern technology and digital training while still being hands-on in approach. This may offer a great advantage as you enter the job market.

Admissions and Enrollment

High Desert Medical College has an open admissions policy. The application fee is $200. No appointment needed - we love walk-ins! Stop by the HDMC Lancaster, Temecula, or Bakersfield campus locations anytime for a campus tour. Check in at the front office between 8 am to 7 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8 am to 5 pm on Fridays.

How to Get Started

Click here to get in contact with us. Give us a call or come by for a tour and let us answer the rest of your questions. Invite your family or friends to come along, too.

Student Reviews and Concerns

Based on local Google reviews, High Desert Medical College (HDMC) in Bakersfield is an institution with a highly polarized student experience, where satisfaction largely depends on the specific program and individual instructors.

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Positive Feedback

Programs like Cardiac Sonography are consistently praised for having a “phenomenal” and “extremely educated” Program Director (referred to by reviewers using a common name starting with ‘R’) and faculty who truly care for their students.

Concerns and Criticisms

The momentum for High Desert Medical College is highly concerning, characterized by persistent, high-stakes student-vs-administration conflicts and significant issues with student retention across multiple programs. While the college has pockets of success in specific programs, demonstrated by instructors who genuinely care, the overwhelming negative feedback focuses on systemic administrative failures and financial risk, including a high rate of student drop-out (the Vocational Nursing completion rate was critically low at 20.51% in 2022).

Completion and Placement Rates

Vocational Nursing: The Vocational Nursing completion rate was critically low at 20.51% in 2022.
Medical Billing and Coding: The completion rate is 7.95%.
Vocational Nursing: Placement Rate: 77.63%.

Financial Aid

At High Desert Medical College, 73 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid and the average scholarship or grant award is $5,420.

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