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Why WCGA?

Chosing where to start your pet grooming education is a big decision. Here are just some of the things that set West Coast Grooming Academy apart as leaders in the grooming industry:

• Largest Pet Grooming School in the Nation.
  WCGA currently offers 5 Campuses to chose from and Growing!
• All Classes are Hands-On!
  Get valuable experience working with live animals in a real salon environment. You will gain experience talking to customers, working with a wide variety of pets and temperaments and how to work independently in a fully functioning, busy salon. Work side-by-side with other Certified Groomers who have also gone through WCGA as students and have been on the same journey you are about to emBARK on!
• 1,000 Hours of Training!
  Depending on the course you choose, WCGA provides up to 1,000 hours of training, both online and hands-on, to help you feel comfortable and confident in your skills prior to certification. Walk into your next grooming job feeling proficient and capable doing the career you’ve been dreaming of!
• Official Certifications
  Our graduates will be fully Certified Groomers upon completion. We do not issue mere “Certificates of Completion” which only indicate that you have completed a course or a workshop. “Certificates of Completion” or similar certificates from un-approved or un-accredited schools or instructors will be un-usable when grooming becomes a licensed occupation. A “certificate of completion” does NOT mean that you are “Certified.” Being “Certified” means that our certificates are officially recognized by the State of California, and that our students will not need to repeat courses when licensing comes to the industry. Certifications issued from WCGA are official certificates, permitting students to identify themselves as “Certified Groomers” as long as their certification remains valid.
• Classes are Taught by Dedicated Instructors!
  No waiting around for a groomer to teach you in between grooming or talking with their own customers, answering phones or managing the salon. Our instructors are there for YOU!
• Certified, Experienced Grooming Instructors
  Each WCGA Certified Grooming Instructor has been through customized training to provide you with the best learning experience possible. Our Instructors have worked for many years in the grooming industry, and are able to offer real-world teaching based on practical experience.
• WCGA is State-Approved and Federally Accredited
  WCGA has been through rigorous approval processes, allowing us to operate as a state-approved vocational college through both the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and has received federal accreditation through the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC), making WCGA the first fully accredited pet grooming college in the nation!
• Leaders in Licensing
  Pet grooming is expected to become a licensed occupation by 2026, with WCGA setting the standard for the entire grooming industry. WCGA has worked tirelessly with the California Department of Labor to set the standards for safety, sanitation and animal handling that all professional pet groomers will soon need to follow. Get ahead of the curve now and save time and frustration later!
• Internships & Externships
  Put your education to use and gain necessary hands-on experience that you will need when applying to jobs after you graduate through on-campus internships paired with a real groomer, and externships, done at any salon of your choosing, even one you already work at! With an on-campus internship, you will have the ability to groom pets while still having the safety and comfort knowing you will always have someone nearby to help you. When you are ready to find work, any work hours you do for your employer will still count towards your hours requirement so you can still work while you learn!
• Job Placement Assistance
  By the year 2026, more than 62,000 new groomers will be needed in the industry to meet the current demand. Employers contact WCGA every week seeking to hire our graduates, so if you need assistance finding a job after you graduate, we can help!
• Flexible Schedules
  We know that you have a life, a family, and other commitments. We offer weekend classes at some locations to accommodate your busy schedule. Have a scheduling concern? Contact Us and we may be able to help you!
• WCGA Cares
  WCGA partners with a wide variety of animal shelters and rescues throughout Los Angeles to provide free grooming services to low and no-income individuals. WCGA also travels to the shelter weekly to provide grooming for adoptable shelter pets looking for their forever homes.