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 major. An undergraduate credit certificate program must contain a minimum of 24 quarter units and a graduate level program, 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 an undergraduate credit certificate program is C (2.0), and for postbaccalaureate certificates, 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 the following credit certificate programs that are open to qualified undergraduate students. Additional postbaccalaureate and graduate level programs are listed in the Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Study chapter. Individual certificate program requirements and required courses appear in the program listings of the academic departments, divisions, schools and colleges that offer them.
Accounting
Offered by the Department of Accounting, (323) 343-2830, the program is designed to provide an organized series of courses in accounting for students in other majors who wish to qualify to take a professional accounting examination, to meet civil service educational requirements for employment as a professional accountant or auditor, or to acquire the skills needed for employment as a professional accountant in private industry.
Alcohol and Drug Problems Specialist
Offered by the Department of Health Science, (323) 343-4740, the certificate prepares students to work in community agencies involved with alcohol and/or drug related problems. Applicable toward degree programs in health science.
Alternative Nutrition
Offered by the School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Sciences, (323) 343-4650, this program may be taken by coordinated dietetics and nutritional science students in upper division standing. Health professionals in such disciplines as dietetic technician, health science, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, biology and chemistry would also find this program useful.
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.
Child Maltreatment and Family Violence
Offered by the College of Health and Human Services, (323)343-4696, the program provides individuals from various disciplines with expanded knowledge and formalized education in the area of child abuse and domestic violence, training and field experience in serving this population, and opportunities to qualify for career positions in which multidisciplinary training is required or essential.
Computer Programming
Offered by the Department of Information Systems, (323) 343-2983, the program is designed to prepare individuals for entry level computer programmer positions. Courses in COBOL programming are required and other programming languages may be studied as electives. Applicable toward the baccalaureate in Business Administration. Also available through the College of Extended Studies and International Programs, (323) 343-4900, for nonmatriculated students.
Entrepreneurship
Offered by the Department of Marketing, (323) 343-2960, the program is designed to prepare students and business people for careers in small companies: starting companies, managing small businesses, and working in small businesses. The program includes instruction about how to take a product or service from the idea stage through the introduction and growth stages and how to successfully manage the business. A focus may be taken in retailing, marketing of services and products, consulting, accounting, finance, or entrepreneurship.
Fashion Design
Offered by the Department of Art, (323) 343-4010, The department offers a certificate program in Fashion Design that prepares individuals for career positions in fashion design. The program includes technical methods, theory, and creative concepts. A total of 42 units is required for completion of the certificate program, as outlined below.
Fashion Merchandising
Offered by the Department of Art, (323) 343-4010, The department offers a certificate program in Fashion Merchandising that prepares individuals for career positions in the fashion industry. The program includes technical information, theory, and creative concepts. A total of 40 units is required for completion of the certificate program, as outlined below. Refer to the Undergraduate Study: General Information chapter of this catalog for general regulations governing all certificate programs.
Finance
Offered by the Department of Finance and Law, (323) 343-2870, the program is designed to prepare individuals who hold or are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a field other than finance for entry into careers in corporate finance, money management, investment banking, and commercial banking.
Fire Protection Risk Analysis and Reduction
Offered by the Department of Technology, (323) 343-4550, the program offers students and individuals in the insurance industry and in private sector fire protection positions a series of professionally related courses in fire protection and fire safety. The program prepares individuals to serve as fire protection and safety specialists, inspectors, evaluators, and managers. Applicable toward the baccalaureate in fire protection administration and technology.
Fire Service Administration
Offered by the Department of Technology, (323) 343-4550, the program offers fire department personnel who hold an associate degree an opportunity to continue their knowledge and formalized education in the elements of effective modern fire department functioning. Course work covers planning, prevention and disaster administration, public administration, and personnel and budgeting administration. Applicable toward the baccalaureate in fire protection administration and technology.
General Management
Offered by the Department of Management, (323) 343-2890, the certificate program is designed to prepare nonmanagement option Business Administration Majors and nonbusiness students for employment in a general management position, and to provide working and professional people the general management knowledge necessary for rapid career advancement.
Geographic Information Systems
Offered by the Department of Geography and Urban Analysis, (323) 343-2220, the program provides an analytical as well as a practical approach to the design, layout, and graphics needed in constructing and managing geographic information systems.
Human Resources Management
Offered by the Department of Management, (323) 343-2890, the certificate program is designed to prepare nonmanagement option Business Administration Majors and nonbusiness students for employment in human resources management positions, and to provide working and professional people the human resources management knowledge necessary for rapid career advancement.
Intercultural Proficiency
Offered by the College of Health and Human Services through the School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science, (323) 343-4650, the Intercultural Proficiency Certificate Program is designed to increase students’ abilities to communicate and interact effectively within our increasingly multicultural living and working environment. Achieving intercultural proficiency is a personal dynamic and developmental journey. The overall goal of the program is to prepare our students to be change agents with the knowledge and skills that will enable organizations and institutions to accept, value and honor diversity.
International Business
Offered by the Department of Marketing, (323) 343-2960, the program prepares students for careers in firms operating on a multinational basis; for careers in import-export, international finance and banking, and international agencies; and for the Commerce Option of the Foreign Service Officer Examination with the federal government, and provides training for managers of internationally oriented companies in the Los Angeles area. Applicable toward the baccalaureate in Business Administration. This certificate program is also available through the College of Extended Studies and International Programs, (323) 343-4900, for nonmatriculated students.
International Business Communication
Offered by the Department of Marketing, (323) 343-2960, this certificate program affords the opportunity to combine language, culture, and communication and business knowledge. The program will give business degree students a chance to add language and intercultural expertise, along with enhanced communication skills, to their program of study. At the same time, it will give language degree students, communication studies students, or area studies students a chance to add business courses to their program of study and obtain a certificate. The certificate will enable students to pursue careers in organizations that want both recognized language skills and business training, such as international businesses, international foundations, non government organizations (NGOs), and international educational organizations. The language, culture and communication components will also benefit students who obtain jobs in local organizations whose employees represent multiple cultures.
International Economic Relations
Offered by the Department of Economics and Statistics, (323) 343-2930, the Certificate Program in International Economic Relations will benefit students to better understand the economic and political factors that influence the global economy. The certificate will help students pursuing careers in federal or state agencies dealing with international affairs, corporations involved in international business and finance, and in international organizations, foundations, and nongovernment agencies.
Labor Relations
Offered by the Department of Economics and Statistics, (323) 343-2930, the Certificate Program in Labor Relations is designed to strengthen the skills of students interested in labor relation careers and improve access to career opportunities for administrators, mediators, arbitrators, and government labor officials.
Marketing
Offered by the Department of Marketing, (323) 343-2960, the program is designed to prepare students in majors other than business for professional careers in marketing in profit or nonprofit organizations. Students may select a focus in marketing management, advertising, public relations, marketing research, retailing, direct response marketing, international marketing, transportation, or financial service marketing. Applicable toward degree programs in business administration. Also available through the College of Extended Studies and International Programs, (323) 343-4900, for nonmatriculated students.
Operations Management
Offered by the Department of Management, (323) 343- 2890, the certificate program in operations management is designed to prepare non-management option business students and non-business students for employment in an operations management position, and to provide working and professional people with the operations management knowledge necessary for rapid career advancement.
Retail Professional Development
Offered by the Department of Marketing, (323) 343-2960, in conjunction with the Institute of Retail Management, the program is designed to provide the skills required for executive positions in the retail industry and to prepare individuals to become successful entrepreneurs in their own retail business. Available through the College of Extended Studies and International Programs, (323) 343-4900, for nonmatriculated students.
Sports Nutrition
Offered by the School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science, (323) 343-4650, the program is designed to provide students in health related disciplines information about diet and sports/exercise for healthy living. Students planning a health related career would benefit by gaining the breath of knowledge and skills this certificate provides.
Transportation (Commercial)
Offered by the Department of Marketing, (323) 343-2960, the program is designed for individuals intending to pursue a career or enhance their advancement potential in the field of industrial traffic and transportation or carrier operation. Applicable toward the baccalaureate in business administration.
Youth Agency Administration
Offered by the College of Health and Human Services through the School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science, (323) 343-4650, the program is designed to prepare professionals for careers in non-profit management. Applicable toward baccalaureate programs. |
