College Credit Connection, LLC (CCC) is a nationwide provider of University accredited, high-quality, standards-based, on-line, and face-to-face professional development courses. Our curricula is content-rich and abundant with research-based strategies to improve classroom and school environments, to move educators to intentional best practice, and to improve student achievement.
CCC was formed to offer teachers and other professionals a convenient and flexible way in which to earn graduate semester credit from an accredited university utilizing a wide variety of methods. This fully accredited program has been in existence since 2008. CCC is motivated to help teachers and other professionals take their previous, current, and future CEU's (Continuing Education Units), Professional Development (PD) courses, Conference Experience, Leadership Experience, and/or other course work and translate these into college level courses in order to gain university graduate credit. CCC also offers a wide diversity of live "Face-to-Face" courses.
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CCC has partnered with Vanguard University of Southern California to offer learners the opportunity to receive graduate credit for their professional work in many diverse ways. Vanguard University of Southern California is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. Although these courses are non-degree seeking at Vanguard University, they may be accepted as elective units at other colleges or universities.
Accumulated college credit can often be utilized for recertification and/or submitted to a school district for consideration of salary step advancement. Check with your local district for verification. Prior district approval for salary advancement units is recommended and is the responsibility of each learner. These courses are designed for K-16 educators. With district approval, course credit may be used for salary step increases and/or professional growth credential requirements.
This fully accredited program has successfully been in existence since June 2008.
CCC has a special collaboration with ASCD, Annenberg Learner, Amen Clinics, Inc., MDed, Lockett Learning Systems, and PDE to offer a wide variety of courses in six unique learning formats.
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College Credit Connection, LLC management advisory team consists of 14 professional contributors, with the following educational achievements: Six Doctoral degrees, three Masters degrees, and five Bachelor degrees. Our management team has seven educators representing all grade levels, ten high level business executives (who are experts in business, technology, curriculum, pedagogy, and methodology), and a specialist in Business Ethics and Integrity. Our large and diverse group of Instructors and our Coordinators are highly educated, well-trained, experienced, and respected classroom teachers. Courses are developed by teams of teachers and professors from every educational level (elementary, middle school, high school, community college, and university) through a collaborative effort of both practitioners and theorists.
One of our top priorities is making certain that our learners receive personal assistance. Our Office Management team is headed by Ms. Dana Schwartz. Dana and her staff are available to help you during normal business hours.
CCC's Chief Academic Officer is assisted by Sarah Martinez in her role as the Educational Services Coordinator. Sarah is also our leading Online Instructor/Grader.
CCC is proud to be serviced by the talented and hard-working people at Sycamore Online Media, Inc. They keep our website up and running, and they meet our many demands with grace and professionalism. Our website was originally designed by the highly acclaimed and talented Addison Interactive. CCC is also grateful to be represented by the incredibly competent and very pleasant lawyer, Brian Okazaki, a partner in Okazaki Law Offices in Pasadena.
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Dr. Ternes, the Chief Academic Officer, holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from UCLA. He has over 33 rewarding years in the educational field, including experience as a teacher, principal, school administrator, and the Dean of Graduate Education at an accredited university in Southern California. Dr. Ternes is a tenured, full professor, specializing in preparing students to both enter the educational field and develop educational research.
Dr. Wells, the Chief Executive Officer, holds two doctorate degrees, including a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She has over 31 years of high level executive experience, with 26 years as a Senior Vice-President at the Walt Disney Studios. She enjoys teaching graduate school both in local classroom settings as well as nationwide via online programs. Dr. Wells has a wait-list private therapy practice in Southern California, where she is also a sought out seminar and workshop instructor specializing in integral practicum.
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Our large and diverse group of Instructors and our Coordinators are highly educated, well-trained, experienced, and respected classroom teachers.
We are proud to have the following Face-to-Face Coordinators on our team:
JEAN SIMPSON - Jean is a former Professor of Art Education at California State University at Northridge (CSUN) and a former classroom teacher and supervising master teacher with Los Angeles Unified School District. Jean has authored four books, was a television arts and crafts teacher, and was selected as "One of the Four Most Creative Women in America" by the Ladies' Home Journal magazine. Jean is a dynamic and well-versed instructor and a valued coordinator and instructor within our program.
DAVID HALLSTROM - Dave has thirty-eight years of teaching experience. He has been a consultant of education for twenty-five years and has conducted many successful workshops. His excitement and motivation to teaching has a beneficial impact on all the participants.
DENNIS GARRAHY - Dennis has nearly thirty years experience as an educator in the Vista Unified School District. Additionally, for the past thirty-five years, he has coordinated professional staff development courses for North County teachers. With his background and experience, Dennis is able to tap into many outstanding educational ideas and strategies, bringing many beneficial resources to his classes.
LYNNE FREY - Lynne has taught first grade through sixth grade both as a classroom and physical education teacher in the San Ramon School District. She has been an outstanding and dynamic continuing education professional growth Coordinator and facilitator since 1986.
STEPHEN BLUM - Stephen Blum was a classroom teacher for 25 years at Buena High School, Foothill Technology High School, and Ventura Adult Education. He served 12 years as the teachers' union president in the Ventura Unified School District. Mr. Blum coached track and cross-country for 22 years at Buena High. He is in his seventh year as a trustee on the Ventura County Community College District School Board and is a practicing attorney. He holds a Bachelors degree in History, a Masters degree in Education, and Juris Doctorate in Law.
Our talented Face-to-Face and Hybrid Instructors include the following:
LISA ANCHICK - Lisa is an educator at Cabrillo School in the Pacifica School District. She has a passion for teaching and is committed to the success of her students. Her goal is to create exciting educational experiences which enhance student learning. Having a background in high-tech public relations, Lisa provides many opportunities for integrating technology in the classroom, promoting 21st Century learning and preparing students for an evolving world. She graduated from San Francisco State University and earned her teaching credential in 2006.
PAT ANDERSON - Pat has taught K through 12th grades in Castro Valley for many years. Ten years ago, Pat fell in love with bookmaking and has since been teaching book arts to children and classroom teachers.
FRED BECKER - Fred is a nationally known consultant and presenter whose work as an educational professional with children and adults spans the past 25 years. Creator of the popular school curriculum, "Resources For Effective Living," a child/teen course of study modeled after H. Stephen Glenn's "Developing Capable People," Fred has earned Outstanding Educator, Educator of the Year, and Drug Prevention Educator of the Year by San Diego communities. His humor and uncanny ability to relate and empower the teacher is brought forth in his engaging presentations.
LYNNE FREY - Lynne has taught first grade through sixth grade both as a classroom and physical education teacher in the San Ramon School District. She has been an outstanding and dynamic continuing education professional growth Coordinator and facilitator since 1986.
DENNIS GARRAHY - Dennis has nearly thirty years experience as an educator in the Vista Unified School District. Additionally, for the past thirty-five years, he has coordinated professional staff development courses for North County teachers. With his background and experience, Dennis is able to tap into many outstanding educational ideas and strategies, bringing many beneficial resources to his classes.
DAVID HALLSTROM - Dave has thirty-eight years of teaching experience. He has been a consultant of education for twenty-five years and has conducted many successful workshops. His excitement and motivation to teaching has a beneficial impact on all the participants.
VALERIE HETHERINGTON - Valerie Hetherington has taught for twenty-two years, including third, fourth, fifth, and seventh grades. Various responsibilities and teaching make up her repertoire including her Post Grad certificate in education from England. She is certified in health and safety liaison, site science and technology coordinator, student leadership, recycling programs. etc. Her last fourteen years has found her teaching progressive math, reading, and writing programs in San Lorenzo. Participants find her motivational, energetic, helpful, and knowledgable.
JEAN SIMPSON - Jean is a former Professor of Art Education at California State University at Northridge (CSUN) and a former classroom teacher and supervising master teacher with Los Angeles Unified School District. Jean has authored four books, was a television arts and crafts teacher, and was selected as "One of the Four Most Creative Women in America" by the Ladies' Home Journal magazine. Jean is a dynamic and well-versed instructor and a valued coordinator and instructor within our program.
Our Online Instructors include the following:
CONSTANCE WELLS, Ph.D. - Dr. Wells, the Chief Executive Officer, holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology as well as a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology (Psy.D.). She has over 31 years of high level executive experience, with 26 years as a Senior Vice-President at the Walt Disney Studios. She enjoys teaching graduate school both in local classroom settings as well as nationwide via online programs. Dr. Wells has a wait-list private practice in Southern California, where she is a sought out seminar and workshop instructor specializing in integral practicum.
JERRY TERNES, Ed.D. - Dr. Ternes, the Chief Academic Officer, holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from UCLA. He has over 33 rewarding years in the educational field, including experience as a teacher, principal, school administrator, and the Dean of Graduate Education at an accredited university in Southern California. Dr. Ternes is a tenured, full professor, specializing in preparing students to both enter the educational field and develop educational research.
JUDITH SCHWARTZ, M.A. - Judith has over thirty years experience in education. She had taught English and was a counselor in the Denver Public School system for over 23 years. Her experience also includes that of a forensics coach, student teacher supervisor, teacher trainer of English teachers in U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines, and teacher of English as a foreign language in Mexico.
SARAH MARTINEZ, M.A. - After receiving her B.A. in Liberal Studies and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University Long Beach, Sarah began her first year of teaching at a small private school in Westminster, California. She taught middle school English, History, and Spanish. She then obtained her Masters of Arts in Education from Vanguard University and was one of six teachers who helped launch a new charter school in the Watts area of Los Angeles, California. Sarah has taught 6th grade Math and Science for five years at the charter school and piloted a new teacher evaluation program through The College-Ready Promise in association with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Sarah has mentored resident teachers for two years through the Los Angeles Math and Science program at Loyola Marymount University and enjoys collaborating with other teachers to increase student learning. In addition, Sarah is CCC's Educational Services Coordinator.
TYLER TERNES, M.A. - Tyler received his BA in Liberal Studies from California State University Long Beach. He then went to Vanguard University, earning his Multiple Subject and Single Subject math credentials, as well as his Masters in Education. For the first four years of his teaching career, Tyler taught middle school math in grades 6-8 at a private school in Mission Viejo, CA in the subjects of Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Geometry. He now teaches high school math at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. His teaching experience also includes teaching English to young students in the Dominican Republic and coaching boys basketball at the middle and high school levels.
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College Credit Connection’s mission is to support teaching and learning by providing educators and other professionals with relevant, current, and practical coursework experiences coupled with excellent support at a high level of integrity and trust.
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College Credit Connection, LLC (CCC) is the connective force to couple the person's learning style with the time they have available to transform their professional development experiences into graduate college credit. In turn, this college credit can potentially be used for the learner’s salary step advancement, professional development, and recertification.
CCC has partnered with Vanguard University of Southern California to offer learners the opportunity to receive graduate credit for the professional work they are doing with Professional Development courses, Continuing Education Units, Educational Conferences, Workshops, Leadership Experience, and/or Face-to-Face courses. Vanguard University is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
CCC offers flexible choices to match the learner’s preferred style of learning with the time they have available. CCC offers the ultimate in convenience for busy educators. The many options of learning include the following:
• ONLINE VIDEO COURSES
• FACE-TO-FACE COURSES
• ONLINE INTERACTIVE COURSES
• INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSES (which include Independent Research and Independent Book Studies)
• CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP COURSES
• POST-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (ONLINE) COURSES (which include previous PD and previous leadership experience)
For more information, see the individual links for COURSE FORMATS on the left side of the Home page.
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How to contact us:
By postal mail:
College Credit Connection, LLC
2331 Honolulu Ave., Suite H
Montrose, CA 91020
By telephone:
818-369-7083 / 818-369-7084
By fax:
818-279-0567
By email:
For General Information: Info@CollegeCreditConnection.com
For Course Information: Courses@CollegeCreditConnection.com
For Academic or Grade Policy Information: Admin@CollegeCreditConnection.com
For Technical Support: Tech@CollegeCreditConnection.com
For Transcript Information: http://tap.vanguard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TAP-Transcript-Request.pdf OR Admin@CollegeCreditConnection.com
Please be assured that CCC will not share any information we receive from you with third parties. CCC does not sell or exchange mailing lists. You will not be spammed. Please see our Privacy Policy for more detailed information.
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