Program for Accelerated College Education (PACE)
Enroll in classes now!
Trouble enrolling? Current students: Contact Students Services Online
Questions? We have PACE Zoom drop-in hours:
Monday: 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday: 12 - 1pm and 6 -7pm
Wednesday: 10-11am
Thursday: 12-1 pm and 6-7 pm
Please Note: There are no Zoom drop-in hours on Tuesday or Thursday evening when there is a 'Zoom Information Session' - see dates below
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Lupita: @email
Upcoming Zoom Information Session:
Prospective PACE students - RSVP through Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link on the day of the event:
July 23 2024 from 6-7 pm Group 2: Eventbrite RSVP
August 6, 2024 from 6-7 pm Group 1: Eventbrite RSVP
August 15, 2024 from 6-7 pm Group 1: Eventbrite RSVP
Please note - You can register for either GROUP as they are the same presentation.
K-12 Students: Students on a K-12 waiver will not be processed into the PACE group.
Can't make a PACE Info Session? No problem. You can meet with our Student Services Assistant, Lupita, for a one-on-one Information Session: narkevlr@laccd.edu
What is PACE?
The Program for Accelerated College Education (PACE) is a special Pierce College program designed to provide students with the ability to graduate in two years. This long-standing Pierce College program was designed to assist older students, re-entry students, and working adults in achieving their academic goals. We know life can be busy; therefore, we designed a program to help you achieve your career and academic goals.
- PACE coursework is compressed to fit into 8-week quarters instead of 16-week semesters.
- PACE classes follow the CSU & IGETC GE certified plans that can be applied to ANY Associate Degree for Transfer program.
- PACE offers a guided pathway toward graduation.
- PACE students typically take 10 classes each year, during 5 PACE sessions (fall, spring, summer) to graduate in two years. There are five PACE sessions offered in a school year: two in the fall, two in the spring, and one in the summer. Note: Students are not required to follow this sequence. See below.
Why do students love PACE?
Pick TWO to get through! PACE students study for only TWO 8-week classes at a time and still complete FOUR classes (or more) in a semester! You can remain a full-time student while studying for only TWO classes at a time.
How to Become a PACE Student in TWO steps:
We are PROUD of so many
PACE success stories!
"I am the first female transportation director in LAUSD and I am the first Latina transportation director. PACE opened that door for me and made education possible. I would not be in the position I am today without that initial step, that opportunity that allowed me, a single parent, to grow.
I was invited to Washington DC where I received recognition. There, a congressman said to me, 'Someone along the way opened the door for you.' That was PACE. PACE created the access I needed by offering classes in a non-traditional schedule in a program set up to support people like myself. I knew I was capable of more, I just needed help to get there."
- Lilia Montoya, former LAUSD Director of Transportation; Deputy Chief Executive Officer Long Beach Transit
"PACE was such a great journey! I went back to school at 48 years old. The program helped me with everything. I didn’t have to navigate which classes to take. PACE laid out the plan for me and I followed it. The guidance from the Pierce College PACE program was excellent. It was an easy-to-follow program and it worked with my schedule. I took classes in the evening after work. I never hit any speed bumps where I thought it was too much. The structured program made it easy for me and I was surprised and excited that I graduated with two degrees before transferring to CSUN. I received my Bachelor's degree in Public Sector Management and advanced in my career to Regional Transportation Manager."
- Deborah Duarte, LAUSD Regional Transportation Manager
Why PACE? Fast-track your education!
- PACE classes are quick! PACE students "Pick Two to Get Through" with eight-week classes.
- PACE students get priority in getting the classes they need! PACE classes are only open to PACE students first.
- PACE students can take regular Pierce classes and PACE classes. This gives students access to more class options.
- PACE follows a guided pathway, a structured plan for students to follow; this simplifies enrollment.
- PACE offers an alternative schedule — online classes, evening classes, or remote live classes.
- PACE classes are hybrid or all online which means less time on campus.
- PACE has several educational paths; each path prepares students for a degree AND transfer.
- PACE students can work full-time and attend college full-time.
- PACE has a designated counselor to assist students in planning their educational goals.
- PACE is also designed so that students can seamlessly transfer to various four-year institutions — public and private.
- Questions? Check out our virtual hours at the top of the page.
Add and Drop Dates
In SIS, click on the class section number. At the bottom of the page, you will find the Important Dates section with add and drop dates.
Important: To ADD CLASSES once the semester begins, students need to go to class to get a permission code to add. For online classes, please email the instructor for a code. Do not forget to enter the permission code in the system to complete your enrollment.