California law provides that certificates may be authorized by the Governing Board upon satisfactory completion of a designated vocational curriculum. Consistent with one of the major functions of the community college, these occupationally-oriented curriculums are designed with input from business and industry representatives to provide specific job skills.
Certificates often provide training for immediate employment.
Although college academic courses are not usually required for the certificate, students must have basic knowledge in such subjects as reading, writing, and math to master the work and advance in the occupation they select. Most vocational certificate programs may be used to satisfy the requirements for a major for the associate in arts degree offered by the college. Review the degree requirements and supplement vocational course work with other general education classes. Certificate programs that are taken as part of and prior to the associate degree are approved for veterans benefits. Limited English speaking students who are otherwise eligible will not be excluded from any vocational education program.