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Certificate programs are designed to augment University curricula by providing specialized instruction and training within a field. These programs usually require significantly fewer units than a degree. A postbaccalaureate certificate program must contain a minimum of 16 units. Normally, courses in certificate programs will be upper division or graduate level, except for prerequisites. Students may transfer from another institution no more than one quarter of the total units required for a certificate (75% of the course work must be completed at Cal State L.A.). A maximum of one quarter (25%) of the total units required for a certificate may be devoted to internships or independent study, or a combination of both. The minimum grade point average required for completion of a postbaccalaureate certificate program is B (3.0). These grade point average requirements do not pertain to noncredit certificate programs. A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successful completion of the program requirements. Some certificates are offered within degree majors and can be applied toward a baccalaureate or a master’s degree; others are offered through the College of Extended Studies and International Programs with the certificate being the main goal.
Cal State L.A. offers credit certificate programs at both undergraduate and postbaccalaureate levels. Listed below are postbaccalaureate certificate programs. Individual program and course requirements appear in academic department and division listings in the chapters that follow.
Postbaccalaureate certificate programs require a completed bachelor’s degree for entry into the program.
Advanced Information Systems
Offered by the Department of Information Systems, (323) 343-2983, the certificate program is designed to give individuals who are pursuing or have earned a degree in business administration (or have equivalent experience) an introduction to the techniques of information systems design, planning, and management. Applicable toward degrees in business administration.
Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings
Offered by the Division of Special Education and Counseling in the Charter College of Education, (323) 343-4400, the program is designed to prepare Behavioral Intervention Specialists and provides practitioners an opportunity to develop skills for implementing and evaluating applied behavior analysis programs in behavior management, motivation, consultation, and teaching.
Applied Gerontology
Offered by the College of Health and Human Services through the Applied Gerontology Institute, (323) 343-4724, this program is designed to enhance the preparation of individuals enrolled in courses or working in health-related disciplines to exercise their effectiveness as practitioners with older populations, particularly ethnic minorities. The program includes instruction about aging in several domains: biological, social/psychological, and policy-social services.
Autism
Offered by the Division of Special Education and Counseling, (323) 343-4400, this program is designed to better prepare educators in establishing the unique behavioral and educational program often required for students with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. New resources and technologies for supporting students with autism in school and community settings are being developed at a rapid rate. This program will provide students with substantive opportunity to acquire a depth of knowledge in the understanding of the needs of individuals with autism and the skills to address those needs.
Biotechnology
Offered by the Department of Biological Sciences, (323) 343-2050, the program is designed to give graduate biology students the practical knowledge and laboratory skills needed for the application of modern molecular genetic approaches to research problems and for work in the biotechnology industry or in research laboratories that utilize the techniques of gene manipulation. Applicable toward the Master’s degree in Biology.
Career Counseling
Offered by the Division of Special Education and Counseling, (323) 343-4400, this program provides postbaccalaureate students the competencies needed to succeed in the field of career counseling. Students will acquire competencies in the areas of job development, integrated life planning, lifestyle and career development theory, career counseling, occupational information, community resources, assessment, cross-cultural counseling, and career counseling for special populations.
Clinical Genetic Molecular Biology Science
Offered by the Department of Biological Sciences in special sessions through the College of Extended Studies and International programs, this certificate is the didactic component of the Cal State LA Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) Training Program. The courses required in this certificate program provide students with the technical knowledge, critical thinking, and management skills needed to pass the American Society for Clinical Pathologists Technologist in Molecular Biology certification exam. Completion of a full year of clinical training and passage of this exam are required to obtain a California license as a CGMBS.
Clinical Laboratory Science Program
Offered by the Department of Biological Sciences in special sessions through the College of Extended Studies and International Programs, (323) 343-2050, this program is the didactic component of the Cal State LA Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) Training Program. The courses required in this certificate program provide students with the technical knowledge, critical thinking, and management skills needed to pass the American Society for Clinical Pathologists certification exam for Medical Laboratory Scientists. Completion of a full year of clinical training and passage of this exam are required to obtain a California license as a CLS.
Computer Applications In Schools
Offered by the Division of Applied and Advanced Studies in Education in the Charter College of Education, (323) 343- 4330, the program is designed to prepare teachers to use computers in their classrooms and to take leadership roles in their schools: teaching computer programming/problem solving; selecting and modifying instructional software; evaluating and selecting hardware; and using computers to manage classrooms and schools. Open to graduate students with K-12 teaching experience only. Applicable toward Masters degree programs in education.
Early Childhood Special Education: Infancy Emphasis
Note: This is not the add-on ECSE certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This certificate program is approved only by CSULA. The program offered by the Division of Special Education and Counseling, (323) 343-4400 is designed for professional persons who already hold a credential and/or master’s degree, but who are seeking the professional preparation that is related to working in school, agency, or home settings with infants with exceptional needs and their families.
Early Childhood Special Education: Preschool Emphasis
Note: This is not the add-on ECSE certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This certificate program is approved only by CSULA. The program offered by the Division of Special Education and Counseling, (323) 343-4400 is designed for professional persons who already hold a credential and/or master’s degree, but who are seeking the professional preparation that is related to working in school, agency, or home settings with children ages three to five with exceptional needs and their families.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Offered by the Division of Applied and Advanced Studies in Education in the Charter College of Education, (323) 343- 4330, the program prepares and qualifies teachers to work in classrooms or other educational settings where students are learning to speak, read, and write English as a second language
Manufacturing
Offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, (323) 343-4490, the program is designed to provide practicing mechanical engineers with a specialization in manufacturing. For graduate students only, this program provides high quality, up-to-date scientific and practical knowledge of manufacturing processes, modern materials, automatic control, automated manufacturing, and robotics. Applicable toward-Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Pre-Health Professionals
Offered by the Department of Biological Sciences, (323) 343-2050 this postbaccalaureate certificate program provides an opportunity for pre-health career students to strengthen their academic background prior to application for admission to a health professional school. The program is designed to make postbaccalaureate students more competitive for admission through a combination of coursework, standardized test preparation, and health science activities. A student may not apply to the CSULA Master of Science Degree Program in Biology prior to the completion of the certificate program.
Reading
Offered by the Division of Curriculum and Instruction, (323) 343-4350 the Reading Certificate authorizes the holder to assess student reading problems and provide reading remediation in response to the assessments. The holder is also authorized to develop, implement, and adapt reading and content curriculum and assist classroom teachers in these areas. This certificate is for classroom teachers who wish to earn certification to qualify them to become school site level reading specialists or school site literacy coaches. The certificate holders may perform these services at one or more school sites at the grade levels authorized by their prerequisite credential.
Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Preparatory Certificate
Offered by the Department of Communication Disorders, (323) 343-4690, the program is designed to prepare students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than communication disorders for entry into master’s degree programs in Speech-Language Pathology. Holders of this certificate will attain the student learning outcomes typically attained in undergraduate degree programs in communication disorders. Specifically, certificate holders will have knowledge of 1) basic human communication processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases, and 2) the nature of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and differences, including their etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.
Storytelling
Offered by the Division of Curriculum and Instruction in the Charter College of Education, (323) 343-4350, the program is designed for persons with an interest in the techniques, theories, and literature associated with the ancient and modem art of storytelling. Especially valuable for teacher use in language arts instruction and for improving communications skills; can also be used effectively by librarians and recreation leaders. Open to all postbaccalaureate students who meet the University requirements for admission to postbaccalaureate standing. Applicable toward some master’s degree programs in education and other fields.
Teaching Critical Thinking
Offered by the Department of Philosophy, (323) 343-4180, the program is designed for those with an interest in the theory and techniques of teaching critical thinking at college or secondary school levels and is available to students with any major. Open to holders of the baccalaureate who meet University requirements for admission to postbaccalaureate standing.
Teaching Writing
Offered by the Department of English, (323) 343-4140 the program provides advanced study in composition and rhetoric for current teachers at secondary, and postsecondary levels of education. The program of study provides in-depth study to supplement the more limited coursework in the teaching of writing that students have had in undergraduate and credential programs. In keeping with the State’s emphasis on literacy across the curriculum in schooling at all levels, the certificate addresses writing instruction across the curriculum as well as in traditional English/Language Arts. It enables teachers who are required to teach writing in all disciplinary areas but who often have had little or no training in writing instruction to incorporate writing instruction in their classes.
Transition Specialist
Offered by the Division of Special Education and Counseling, (323) 343-4400. This program is designed for those who already have a master’s degree and/or teaching credential(s) or related professional certificate(s) to work with students with disabilities. This program will give you the competencies to develop innovative transition programs assisting students with disabilities to make smooth transitions into post-school lives. |
