The College of Alameda, located on Alameda's West End, is one of four colleges in the Peralta Community College District, which includes Berkeley City College and Oakland's Laney and Merritt Colleges. Founded in 1968, the College of Alameda is a two-year college offering classes in all major academic disciplines as well as a range of vocational programs including dental assisting, transportation technology, computer information systems, aviation maintenance and apparel design and merchandising. Academic and vocational counseling services are available to all students as well as financial assistance, tutoring, health services and job placement. At COA, students can earn an associate's degree or certificate from one of many programs or fulfill lower-division university general education requirements in preparation for transfer to the California State University, the University of California, or private four-year colleges.