The Architectural Technology Program offers courses in design, building materials, construction documents, design visualization and graphics, computer-assisted design, building information modeling and fabrication. Our comprehensive program provides students with the discipline and critical thinking skills necessary to transfer to a broad range of universities and the training and technical skills to gain employment with the many and varied firms in Southern California that hire our graduates. Former California Architects Board President, Christine Lampert, AIA, rates our program as one of the top community college programs in the state. OCC’s Architecture program has a long history of successful graduates and our current students continue to excel as indicated by winning design awards, high transfer rates, and becoming valued members of the professional community.

This certificate may be completed with no required textbook costs. All required courses will have at least one section each semester that has either an online textbook provided to you free of charge or no required textbook. Most of the restricted electives are also textbook-cost-free. You may be required to purchase other course supplies for these classes. You may also choose to purchase a print copy of any of these texts if you wish.

Program Outcome

✓ The 1st year Certificate of Achievement in Architectural Design 1 prepares students for an entry-level professional position at an architectural or related design office.

This Certificate is designed for students seeking to start, manage, and/or expand a small business. The curriculum addresses the marketing, legal, regulatory and financial aspects of starting and managing a small business. Completion of this Entrepreneurship Certificate program demonstrates knowledge of the entrepreneurial mindset and process and provides practical tools and methods for starting, managing, and expanding a business. This Certificate builds on the Entrepreneurship I Certificate of Achievement - Small Business Startup Essentials; however, the Entrepreneurship II Certificate may be completed independently of the Entrepreneurship I Certificate.

Program Level Learning Outcomes:

✓ Assess the financial, marketing, legal and regulatory considerations for starting and owning a business.

✓ Prepare business planning documents to start or expand a business.

✓ Apply accounting information and prepare financial statements to evaluate business performance.

✓ Apply managerial methods to conduct operations such as business formation, online presence, and staffing.

This Certificate is designed for students seeking to explore, evaluate, and plan the startup of a business.  The curriculum addresses the traits and skillsets utilized by successful entrepreneurs and enables students to evaluate and test business ideas.  Students will also learn how to identify and attract customers. Completion of this Entrepreneurship Certificate program demonstrates knowledge of the entrepreneurial mindset and process and provides practical tools and techniques used to develop and evaluate new business ideas.

Program Level Learning Outcomes:

✓ Apply personal traits associated with an entrepreneurial mindset.

✓ Evaluate options for starting a new business.

✓ Analyze the customer, competition, costs, challenges and rewards associated with business startup.

✓ Prepare business and market planning documents to evaluate a new business idea or opportunity.

This program is the first certificate within a stackable-certificate pathway to prepare students for careers in business, marketing, human resource management, and general management. The curriculum is designed to provide students with basic business knowledge, communication, and professionalism skills needed in the business work environment. The program is suitable for students seeking entry level business positions, as well as working students seeking to advance in their current job positions. The curriculum also helps students begin to identify pathways and potential career choices that align with their interests.

Program Level Learning Outcomes:

✓ Describe fundamental business disciplines and processes including marketing, human resource management, supply chain management, and accounting.

✓ Demonstrate fundamental business skills including business communication, networking, and team work.

✓ Prepare business presentations, reports, and correspondence.

The Business Administration Certificate of Achievement is for students on a pathway towards earning the Business Administration AS-T or for students interested in earning transfer business course credits to support a non-business degree with a Business Minor. The courses in this program are part of the common core of lower division courses required to transfer and pursue a baccalaureate degree with a major or minor in Business Administration and aligns with CSU Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Program Level Learning Outcomes:

✓ Describe fundamentals of business and the various fields of business study and careers.

✓ Identify core accounting concepts and the fundamental financial statements associated with business.

✓ Apply fundamental concepts in economics to business.

✓ Describe key terminology used in business law and the importance of operating a legal and ethical business.

Aquarium Science is an applied, interdisciplinary science that combines aspects of animal husbandry, community ecology, water chemistry, system design and construction, critical thinking, problem-solving, and group management. This certificate is designed to prepare students interested in gaining experience with aquarium systems and living organism care for a variety of potential future goals. These goals may include working for zoo and aquarium facilities, local aquarium retailers, wholesale supply companies, private maintenance companies, as part of a hands-on experience for an advanced degree in Marine Sciences, organizations/agencies working on water filtration and water quality, stock restoration and conservation projects, research involving keeping aquatic living organisms, and/or the recreational hobby of aquarium-keeping. Students will gain a wide variety of hands-on experience in a number of different skills working in one of the largest and most diverse student-run aquariums in the region.

Program Outcomes

✓ Describe how a properly designed aquarium environment (habitat, water parameters, filtration components, and microbial populations) influences the health of aquatic organisms.

✓ Identify commonly kept aquatic organisms and explain what critical aspects of their anatomy, physiology and life history a well-trained aquarist must know to be successful with their growth and potential reproduction.

✓ Demonstrate the ability to design, set up, operate, maintain and troubleshoot aquarium life support equipment including biological filtration, mechanical filtration, chemical filtration, centrifugal pumps, and quarantine life support systems.

✓ Demonstrate the ability to manage aquarium facilities including preparation of equipment and supply ordering lists, proper documentation, and restocking of facility.

This program focuses on sustainability in the apparel industry including, the study of responsible business, with a focus on environmental sustainability, responsible decision making, social impacts, corporate social responsibility, regulatory compliance, certifications, and other emerging technologies. Students will examine current topics, concepts, trends, and rules that are driving the sustainability and responsible business movement and will develop the skills to compete in the global fashion industry. Completion of the Apparel Industry Sustainability certificate program prepares students for careers in the fashion industry and in related businesses.

Program Outcome

✓ The outcome of the program is to prepare students for entry-level employment in the fields of sustainable apparel design, merchandising, compliance, product development, production, sales and marketing and meet the needs of the local fashion industry.

The Apparel Construction Certificate of Achievement will provide students with core skills in textiles, pattern making, advanced garment construction, fashion history, industry-specific computer programs, and sustainability. Students will also gain knowledge in directed skills related to draping, tailoring, couture clothing construction, and alterations. Upon completion, students will be prepared for entry-level employment in the fields of garment construction, costume stitching, alterations, pattern making, tailoring, and dressmaking in the fashion industry and related businesses.

Program Outcomes

✓ Students will demonstrate hands-on skills in advanced sewing techniques related to tailoring and couture sewing.

✓ Students will be able to demonstrate pattern making skills, with special attention to the skills involved in draping and flat pattern methods.

✓ Students will be able to sketch designs, cut patterns, sew and alter garments with attention to industry-specific client’s needs.

This program is designed to prepare students for careers as automotive smog technicians. The curriculum aligns with the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification areas A6 Electrical Electronics, A8 Engine Performance, and L1 Advanced Engine Performance. This prepares students who are entering the workforce for the first time as well as those in the workforce who want to improve skills to advance their careers. Upon completion of this program, students will have developed the skills required to diagnose and repair automotive emission systems.

Program Level Learning Outcomes:

✓ Analyze diagnostic trouble codes and freeze frame data to determine root cause of emissions failures.

✓ Describe the laws, regulations, and procedures associated with consumer authorization of inspections and the overall administration of the Smog Check Program.

✓ Perform Smog check functional tests on various vehicle designs.

✓ Analyze emission monitor readiness on vehicles equipped with second generation On-Board Diagnostics systems (OBDII).

✓ Describe catalytic converter performance standards of practice expected by Smog Check Inspectors.

This program prepares students for careers as automotive service technicians. The curriculum aligns with four areas of the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technician certification program. This prepares students who are entering the workforce for the first time as well as those in the workforce who want to improve their skills to advance their careers. Upon completion of this program, students will have developed the skills required to diagnose and repair complex vehicle systems.

Program Level Learning Outcomes:

✓ Diagnose powertrain related systems using industry accepted diagnostic tools and equipment.

✓ Assess powertrain components using precision measuring tools and comparing findings to published manufacturer's specification.

✓ Perform a powertrain system repair procedure utilizing published Service Information (SI) procedures.