The Advanced ESL Success certificate is for non-native English speakers at the advanced level.  This certificate demonstrates completion and acquisition of advanced English needed for college success, career, and personal growth and more. This certificate also prepares students for higher level classes within ESL program.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ self-edit paragraphs and essays.

✔ develop academic paragraphs and thesis-driven essays.

✔ integrate readings into paragraphs and essays to support ideas.

✔ demonstrate advanced reading skills.

✔ demonstrate critical-thinking skills.

✔ demonstrate advanced listening, speaking, and presentation skills.

The Certificate of Portfolio Development in Studio Arts is a 24–27 unit certificate designed to provide students with a broad experience in a variety of media along with the opportunity to progress in a specific area of concentration. The certificate as a stand-alone is appropriate for the returning professional who is seeking to develop their Studio Arts portfolio. The certificate, in conjunction with the Associate Degree for Transfer (AD-T) in Studio Arts is appropriate for the competitive portfolio-review requirements of the BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)-bound transfer student. Students complete a shared core of 15-units in drawing, 2D & 3D design, digital media and photography, while also completing 3 additional courses in one of the following discipline areas: Drawing/Painting, Sculpture/Ceramics, Photography, or Animation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:

🗸 Utilize industry standard tools and techniques in order to produce professional quality work in a particular genre (form, style, or subject matter).
🗸 Give and receive constructive critical feedback both in writing and verbal communications
🗸 Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of design principles, art concepts and vocabulary across a variety of media
🗸 Recognize parallel applications in other media
🗸 Manage the research, concept design, planning, production, exhibition and distribution of original work

The Accounting Specialist Certificate at West Valley College focuses on helping students develop bookkeeping and accounting specialist’s skills using current accounting/bookkeeping software. Possible job titles for certificate earners include but are not limited to auditor, bookkeeper, accounts receivable clerk, accounts payable clerk, and office manager. Certificate earners will be able to utilize current software to perform various accounting functions and will be able to apply the principles of business communications in a variety of business settings.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program a student will be able to:

🗸 Utilize current accounting software to compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete for a business.
🗸 Successfully apply business communication and math skills in the office environment in which they will be performing bookkeeping and accounting tasks.

This certificate meets the educational requirements and provides a portion of the classroom experience required for the Associate Teacher Level of the Child Development Permit Matrix issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Community Care Licensing, Title 22 requirements for a fully qualified teacher.

To earn a certificate of achievement, students must complete each course used to meet a certificate requirement with a “C” grade or higher. Attending classes in the day, the evening, or both can complete certificate requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ create a developmentally appropriate integrated curriculum.

✔ analyze the psychological, physical, and cognitive influences on child development.

✔ identify the principles and ideas of the early childhood education profession.

✔ assess how socializing agents and culture impacts the lives of children and families.

✔ experience the principles and practices of early childhood education in the classroom.

The certificate of achievement in musical theater prepares students for transfer to four-year musical theater programs and professional training schools, as well as entry level opportunities as a musical theater actor in community and professional theater. To prepare students for this competitive field, the certificate of achievement in musical theater offers students intensive, hands-on experience through course work and supporting musical theater drama productions presented in the performing arts center and the arena theater.

A certificate of achievement in musical theater provides a solid foundation to prepare students for transfer as a musical theater or drama major, and can lead to professional careers in acting, musical theater, technical theater, directing, choreography, and design.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ recognize the importance of musical theater in the history and tradition of American Theater.

✔  demonstrate advanced musicality with a variety of vocal techniques.

✔  analyze the sociological, political and economic factors that have impacted musical theater throughout history.

✔  demonstrate the ability to integrate singing, dancing, and acting in the context of a musical theater scene, song, or production.

✔  demonstrate professional musical theater audition skills.

The certificate of achievement in acting prepares students for transfer to four-year drama programs and professional training schools, as well as entry level opportunities as an actor in community and professional theater. To prepare students for this competitive field, the certificate of achievement in acting offers students intensive, hands-on experience through course work and supporting drama productions presented in the performing arts center and the arena theater.

A certificate of achievement in acting provides a solid foundation to prepare students for transfer as a drama or theater arts major, and can lead to professional careers in acting, musical theater, technical theater, directing, and design.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ analyze the important impact of historical and current acting training techniques in the American theater.

✔ demonstrate professional acting techniques and character development.

✔ analyze the sociological, political, and economic factors that have impacted American theater throughout history.

✔ demonstrate correct audition techniques for stage.

The certificate of achievement in Social and Urban Dance Skills offers a variety of dance courses with an emphasis on social dance and diversity. The program introduces and develops skills in movement techniques, composition, history, and performance with a focus on diverse cultural aesthetics in an academic context. The program requirements are designed for those interested in dance as an academic and/or professional practice.

The certificate may also provide preparation for transfer and degree application to some Dance programs in UC and CSU systems. Students who wish to transfer must consult with program faculty and college counselors to ensure that the requirements for transfer to appropriate institutions are met. To earn a certificate of achievement, students must complete each course used to meet a certificate requirement with a “C” grade or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ analyze the evolution and impact of social and urban dance forms.

✔ demonstrate practical movement literacy of various Social and Urban dance techniques utilizing proper alignment, axial and locomotor skills, and the ability to execute performance technique.

✔ demonstrate the ability to design a dance composition incorporating principles of technique, choreography, music, performance, staging and aesthetic design.

✔ demonstrate and perform dance with technical facility and artistry for the stage.

The Dance Performance Skills Certificate includes pre-professional training in dance techniques, performance, and choreography. This certificate offers intermediate movement courses with a focus on dance as a performing art and dance studies. In addition to studying movement techniques, students learn dance theory, history composition.

To earn a certificate of achievement, students must complete each course used to meet a certificate requirement with a “C” grade or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ demonstrate intermediate and advanced mastery of a variety of dance techniques utilizing proper alignment, axial and locomotor skills and the ability to execute intermediate advanced performance technique.

✔ analyze the evolution of dance including various cultures through the 20th century to present including the history of dance and other art forms.

✔ demonstrate the ability to design a dance composition incorporating principles of technique, choreography, music, performance, staging and aesthetic design.

✔ analyze the integration of various arts and ideas in selected technical historical and thematic context for the theater music and dance performing arts.

This training program prepares students for many entry-level positions in commercial kitchens and bakeries, specialty shops, and catering businesses. This certificate of accomplishment is the first step in pursuing a certificate of achievement in culinary arts, baking and pastry, or restaurant management.

Culinary and food service students must have a current record of satisfactory tuberculosis (TB) screening on file in the Culinary Department Office by the beginning of classes. Students are required to supply their own equipment and uniforms depending on the class. To earn a certificate of accomplishment, students must complete each course used to meet a certificate requirement with a “C” grade or higher. Certificate requirements may only be completed by attending a combination of day and evening scheduled classes.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ explain typical career ladders for employees in the hospitality industry.

✔ select and explain the use of the appropriate kitchen equipment for specific kitchen tasks.

✔ explain proper health and safety procedures in the kitchen environment.

✔ identify critical control points during all food handling processes as a method to minimize the risk of food-borne illness.

✔ demonstrate different types of cooking and protein fabrication methods.

✔ Identify and prepare basic stocks, soups, and sauces.

✔ demonstrate the following tasks: follow a standard recipe, use standard weights and measures, and perform basic skills with culinary equipment.

✔ describe properties and functions of various ingredients and interpret recipes and produce cookies, quick breads, pies, cakes, creams, custards and sauces, and meringues.

✔ describe properties and functions of various ingredients and produce a variety of egg-based dishes, sandwiches, salads, casseroles, creams, cold and hot hors d’oeuvre, and appetizers.

This certificate program will provide students with specific information on owning, licensing/permitting, and operating a mobile food business in addition to exposure to fundamental accounting and marketing practices to support a business.

To earn a certificate of accomplishment students must complete each course used to meet a certificate requirement with a “C” grade or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ create an operational plan for a mobile food business (vehicle, menu, permits).

✔ locate and establish a commissary kitchen.

✔ create a business plan for a mobile food business (permits, revenue, margin).

✔ design a digital marketing plan for a mobile food business.

✔ create a basic accounting setup to support a mobile food business.