The Infrastructure Security Certificate of Achievement program provides best practices and competencies for students to design, install and implement services and applications; manage and optimize security infrastructure to ensure compliance with security controls; help prevent, detect, investigate and respond to operational security threats and attacks; facilitate security vulnerability assessments, penetration tests and risk assessments; investigate security events and incidents, including forensic analysis; represent security interests on project teams by ensuring security standards and requirements; conduct security research, analysis and review of infrastructure designs to ensure compliance with company security policies; evaluate new products and technologies to protect against existing and emerging security threats; and develop and implement information security policies and procedures. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the certificate requirements specified below.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career opportunities may include Information Security Analyst, Computer and Information Systems Manager and Computer Systems Analyst.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Install and configure infrastructure, software, and upgrades.

- Install, configure and test network devices, servers, and workstations.

- Troubleshoot hardware, network, and security problems.

The Computer Project Management Certificate of Achievement Program is a workforce program providing instruction in the application of Software Engineering skills to Business projects that use computers for process improvement or innovation. This program can be completed in one year or less and qualifies the graduate to enter the designated occupation at the prevailing wage. It includes training in both principles of management and software engineering to support successful completion of these projects. It also equips the non-technical project manager to manage software projects enabling them to compete for project management positions in the software development work force.

Specifically, students will learn use of the software engineering process and application of skills, tools, and techniques to manage project activities; enumeration of project goals as sequences of tasks with clearly defined beginning, end, scope, and resources; analysis of project goals to create a prioritized task list that will lead to successful completion; analysis of budget and human resources to develop a utilization plan; and communication of progress, status, and milestones. Skills applicable to any kind of project are supplemented by instruction in software engineering to support one of the prevalent project management needs of the Silicon Valley and the Bay Area workforce. These enable the design of integrated software systems to efficiently fulfill business processes and needs.

To qualify for the Computer Project Management Certificate of Achievement Program, students must complete 14-15 units of required core courses with the option to complete 2 units (150 hours of paid work or 120 hours of unpaid work) of Occupational Work Experience (OWE) in Project Management. This OWE qualifies them to take the Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM) examination from the governing body Project Management Institute.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career opportunities may include Computer and Information Systems Manager, Computer Systems Analysts and Information Security Analysts.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Manage activities with defined beginning and end in time, defined scope and resources accomplish a singular goal.

- Coordinate a project team to deliver the on-time, on-budget results.

- Prioritize activities and communicate results, milestones, and deadlines.

The Applications Security Certificate of Achievement provides best practices and competencies for students to design, install and implement secure applications and services; manage, and optimize application to ensure compliance with security controls; help prevent, detect, investigate and respond to Applications Security threats and attacks; facilitate Applications Security vulnerability assessments, penetration tests and risk assessments; investigate Applications Security events and incidents, including forensic analysis; represent security interests on project teams by ensuring security standards and requirements; conduct security research, analysis and review of application solutions to ensure compliance with company security policies; evaluate new products and technologies to protect against existing and emerging security threats; and develop and implement information security policies and procedures. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the certificate requirements specified below.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career opportunities may include Information Security Analysts, Computer and Information Systems Managers and Computer Systems Analysts.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Design and secure applications and services to protect critical assets.

- Develop, test, and implement secure applications to safeguard critical information.

- Manage ongoing maintenance and updates to applications and services to respond to changing security threats

The Community Social Services/Substance Abuse Certificate of Achievement program is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions providing counseling, case management, crisis management, and relapse prevention services to substance abuse clients. The program also offers further training for persons already employed in the field. The program requirements comply with CAADE (California Association on Alcohol and Drug Education) guidelines. Community Social Services/Substance Abuse is offered both for the Associate degree and the certificate. To qualify for the Certificate of Achievement in Community Social Services/Substance, students must satisfactorily complete the Major course requirements.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career opportunities may include employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions providing counseling, case management, crisis management, and relapse prevention services to substance abuse clients.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Apply knowledge of mental health/human service trends, issues and regulations to inpatient, outpatient and other programs within the human services delivery system.

- Display appropriate communication and interpersonal skills through active listening, sensitivity and effective responses to both verbal and non-verbal behavior.

- Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior (e.g. timeliness) and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, leadership, and cultural diversity.

- Establish rapport with clients, gather information about the conditions that bring clients in for a service, and refer clients to appropriate resources.

The Introduction to Infant/Toddler Care Certificate of Completion is the first of two noncredit certificates intended for students who seek to enter careers in child development, further their professional development or prepare for entry into credit courses in child development at Merritt College or other community colleges. This paired certificate between the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Child Development (CHDEV) Departments allows for noncredit students and individuals exploring careers with children to enroll in courses that teach important child development content specific to infant/toddler years, paired with language and literacy development in English. Entry level jobs in child development are available for English language learners and those with lower levels of basic skills. In-home caregivers, nannies, family childcare providers and teacher’s aides are often recruited for childcare jobs based on proficiency in languages other than English, cultural competency and a genuine desire to work with young children.

A student completing this program will learn the content and the language necessary to read, write and converse in English about the basics of infant/toddler care theories and how to care for children in their infant/toddler years. There are no prerequisites for this program though it is recommended that students are high-beginning English Language Learners.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Entry-level jobs in child development are available for English language learners and those with lower levels of basic skills. In-home caregivers, nannies, family childcare providers and teacher aides are often recruited based on proficiency in languages other than English, cultural competency and a genuine desire to work with young children. This paired certificate between the ESOL and Child Development Departments allows for non-credit students, parents and individuals exploring careers with children to enroll in courses that teach important child development and child-rearing issues specific to the early childhood years, (0-3), paired with language and literacy development in English.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Identify and provide examples of the effective principles and practices of child development for infants/toddlers.

- Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly in basic English conversations about infant/toddler development.

- Demonstrate the ability to read and comprehend basic English materials about infant/toddler development theory and practice.

The Introduction to Early Childhood Education for Child Care Providers Certificate of Completion is the second of two noncredit certificates intended for students who seek to enter careers in child development, further their professional development or prepare for entry into credit courses in child development at Merritt College or other community colleges. This paired certificate between the Child Development (CHDEV) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Departments allows for noncredit students and individuals exploring careers with children to enroll in courses that teach important child development content specific to early childhood years (0-8), paired with language and literacy development in English. Entry-level jobs in child development are available for English language learners and those with lower levels of basic skills. In-home caregivers, nannies, family childcare providers and teacher’s aides are often recruited based on proficiency in languages other than English, cultural competency and a genuine desire to work with young children.

A student completing this program will learn the content of how to care for children in their early childhood years and the language necessary to read, write and converse in English about the basics of early childhood education and development theories. There are no prerequisites for this program though it is recommended that students complete the Introduction to Infant/Toddler Care Certificate of Completion before entering the courses for this certificate. This certificate can be earned in one semester.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Entry-level jobs in child development are available for English language learners and those with lower levels of basic skills. In-home caregivers, nannies, family childcare providers and teacher aides are often recruited based on proficiency in languages other than English, cultural competency and a genuine desire to work with young children. This paired certificate between the ESOL and Child Development Departments allows for non-credit students, parents and individuals exploring careers with children to enroll in courses that teach important child development and child-rearing issues specific to the early childhood years, (0-8), paired with language and literacy development in English.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Identify and provide examples of the stages of child development ages 0-8 and the philosophies and best practices that apply at each level.

- Describe the effective principles and methods of communication and positive guidance for children ages 0-8.

- Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly in transitional English conversations about early childhood education.

- Demonstrate the ability to read materials and write short descriptions about observed child behavior using transitional level English.

The Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate of Achievement program is designed to prepare students who are interested in becoming Transitional Kindergarten teachers with the necessary Early Childhood Education units required by the Department of Education to fulfill the requirements of the position. This specialization option under the Child Development Department provides comprehensive knowledge of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks as well as instruction in effective behavior management strategies, for working with children from diverse cultural backgrounds, and knowledge of how to create quality curriculum and environments for young children. This program is designed both for credentialed teachers who want to earn the Early Childhood Education units necessary to qualify as a transitional Kindergarten teacher and for current preschool teachers who want to deepen their understanding of the Preschool Foundations and Frameworks. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon successful completion of the courses specified below. The program can be completed in two semesters.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career opportunities may include Childcare Workers, Preschool Teachers (Except Special Education), Preschool Special Education Teachers, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program Education Administrators, Postsecondary Education Teachers and Teacher Assistants. The career opportunities for teachers with an elementary teaching credential expands to Transitional Kindergarten teacher with the addition of 24 Child Development units.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Identify, evaluate and develop developmentally and culturally appropriate practices and curriculum for preschool-aged children.

- Expand on knowledge and ability to work with diverse children, families and communities.

- Communicate effectively orally, and in writing on relevant topics in the field of Early Care and Education specific to preschool aged children.

The Teacher certificate program is designed to prepared students for Head Teacher-level work in public or private childcare facilities. The option builds on the introductory skills and knowledge base that is needed to work in Early Care and Education through 12 additional Child Development units including observation and assessment, emergent literacy, operations of family child care, health, safety and nutrition and special needs. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the courses specified below. A Certificate of Achievement is indicated on the student’s transcript.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career opportunities include jobs in the field of Early Care and Education.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Identify and evaluate developmentally and culturally appropriate practices in the physical, temporal and interpersonal environments.

- Communicate effectively orally, and in writing on relevant topics in the field of Early Care and Education.

- Work independently, and as a team member, in an effective manner.

The Infant/Toddler Specialist certificate program is designed to prepare students for work in public or private infant toddler programs. This specialization option under the Child Development Department focuses on skills needed to work in infant toddler settings. A Certificate of Proficiency will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the courses specified below. The Certificate of Proficiency is not indicated on the student’s transcript.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career opportunities include Infant/Toddler teacher, owner/director of Family Child Care business, Home Visitor with Early Headstart programs.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Evaluate individual differences and the special needs of exceptional children under age three.

- Create a responsive environment and developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum that supports infant-toddler learning in the four domains of development.

- Practice involving families in all aspects of the program, and demonstrate ability to communicate and work with families in respectful ways.

- Summarize the developmental sequence of infant and toddler growth and development and the methods of facilitating growth.

The Family Child Care Provider certificate program is designed to prepare students to meet the unique demands for running a quality Family Child Care business. This specialization under the Child Development Department focuses on program, business practices and regulatory compliance. A Certificate of Proficiency will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the courses specified below. The Certificate of Proficiency is not indicated on the student’s transcript.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career opportunities include service providers in the Family Child Care Centers.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- Practice involving families in all aspects of the program, and demonstrate ability to communicate and work with families in respectful ways.

- Apply regulatory and legal compliance requirements of a successful Family Child Care Business.

- Implement a comprehensive approach to creating developmentally and culturally appropriate environments in the family child care setting