Today’s businesses require competent, professional office support personnel. A well-organized team player with an attention to detail will successfully work in an office environment. A student who has completed the administrative assistant or general office certificate programs is well-prepared for a variety of positions.

The Business Information Worker Certificate of Achievement is designed to prepare students for entry-level office and administrative support in a variety of fields or businesses. A certificate of achievement may be earned by completing all the courses required for this major with a grade of C or better.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Identify the appropriate software application, type, save, format, edit, and print various business documents.

- Type at least 35 words per minute with no more than 4 errors.

- Access information using the Internet.

- Prepare an oral presentation using appropriate media and technology.

- Interpret proofreading marks and identify appropriate business vocabulary.

The Geography Program is part of the History, Anthropology, and Geography (H.A.G.) Department and is committed to the highest possible standards in teaching and facilitating learning in a student-centered environment. Geography is the study of the earth and its land, features, inhabitants, and phenomena from a spatial perspective. Most geographers work in one of two main branches of geography: physical and cultural. Physical geographers examine the physical aspects of a region, including its land forms, climates, soils, vegetation, water, plants, and animals. Cultural geographers analyze the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including its economic activities, social characteristics and political organization. Geographers are further classified on the basis of their specific focus.

Geographers incorporate many different technologies into their work, such as geographic information systems (GISs), global positioning systems (GPSs), and remote sensing (i.e. air photos and satellite imagery). For example, a geographer may use GIS and GPS to track information on population growth, traffic patterns, environmental hazards, natural resources, and weather patterns, all in digital format. By overlaying remotely sensed aerial or satellite images with GIS data, such as population density, they create computerized maps that can advise governments, businesses and the general public on a variety of issues, including the impact of natural disasters and the development of houses, roads and landfills.

A certificate of accomplishment may be earned by completing all the courses required for this major with a grade of C or better.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Describe how geography looks at the world through spatial patterns.

- Explain why culture is a key component in the development of the human landscape.

- Analyze the concept of region as central concept in geography.

- Critique how people modify the landscape to meet their personal and societal needs.

- Describe how the earth is affected by the sun and moon.

Students whose first language is not English will find that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will help them read and understand college-level textbooks, write college level essays and improve their English grammar. Contra Costa College English instructors report that students who complete the highest levels of ESL are more successful in required English classes and are more likely to pass English composition than the average student.

In this program, students will practice pronunciation patterns in the English language to improve their oral communication skills.

This Certificate of Competency may be earned by completing the following courses. Students must complete all courses for the certificate with a grade of P.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Communicate in writing on a college level.

- Understand and express themselves orally on a college level.

- Read authentic college-level texts.

- Understand college-level academic lectures.

Students whose first language is not English will find that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will help them read and understand college-level textbooks, write college level essays and improve their English grammar. Contra Costa College English instructors report that students who complete the highest levels of ESL are more successful in required English classes and are more likely to pass English composition than the average student.

In this program, students will practice a variety of language skills in English at the high-intermediate level. Students work on developing grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

This Certificate of Competency may be earned by completing the following courses. Students must complete all courses for the certificate with a grade of P.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Communicate in writing on a college level.

- Understand and express themselves orally on a college level.

- Read authentic college-level texts.

- Understand college-level academic lectures.

Students whose first language is not English will find that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will help them read and understand college-level textbooks, write college level essays and improve their English grammar. Contra Costa College English instructors report that students who complete the highest levels of ESL are more successful in required English classes and are more likely to pass English composition than the average student.

In this program, students will practice a variety of language skills in English at the intermediate level. Students work on developing grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

This Certificate of Competency may be earned by completing the following courses. Students must complete all courses for the certificate with a grade of P.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Communicate in writing on a college level.

- Understand and express themselves orally on a college level.

- Read authentic college-level texts.

- Understand college-level academic lectures.

Students whose first language is not English will find that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will help them read and understand college-level textbooks, write college level essays and improve their English grammar. Contra Costa College English instructors report that students who complete the highest levels of ESL are more successful in required English classes and are more likely to pass English composition than the average student.

In this program, students will practice a variety of language skills in English at the high-beginning level. Students work on developing grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

This Certificate of Competency may be earned by completing the following courses. Students must complete all courses for the certificate with a grade of P.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Communicate in writing on a college level.

- Understand and express themselves orally on a college level.

- Read authentic college-level texts.

- Understand college-level academic lectures.

Students whose first language is not English will find that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will help them read and understand college-level textbooks, write college level essays and improve their English grammar. Contra Costa College English instructors report that students who complete the highest levels of ESL are more successful in required English classes and are more likely to pass English composition than the average student.

In this program, students will practice English for everyday life. Students work on developing basic grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

This Certificate of Competency may be earned by completing the following courses. Students must complete all courses for the certificate with a grade of P.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Communicate in writing on a college level.

- Understand and express themselves orally on a college level.

- Read authentic college-level texts.

- Understand college-level academic lectures.

Today’s businesses require competent, professional office support personnel. A well-organized team player with an attention to detail will successfully work in an office environment. A student who has completed the administrative assistant or general office certificate programs is well-prepared for a variety of positions.

A certificate of achievement may be earned by completing all the courses required for this major with a grade of C or better.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Identify the appropriate software application, type, save, format, edit, and print various business documents.

- Type at least 35 words per minute with no more than 4 errors.

- Access information using the Internet.

- Prepare an oral presentation using appropriate media and technology.

- Interpret proofreading marks and identify appropriate business vocabulary.

Students whose first language is not English will find that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will help them read and understand college-level textbooks, write college level essays and improve their English grammar. Contra Costa College English instructors report that students who complete the highest levels of ESL are more successful in required English classes and are more likely to pass English composition than the average student.

In this program, students will practice pronunciation patterns in the English language to improve their oral communication skills.

he English language to improve their oral communication skills. This Certificate of Accomplishment may be earned by completing the following courses. Students must complete all courses for the certificate with a grade of P.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:

- Communicate in writing on a college level.

- Understand and express themselves orally on a college level.

- Read authentic college-level texts.

- Understand college-level academic lectures.

Students whose first language is not English will find that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will help them read and understand college-level textbooks, write college level essays and improve their English grammar. Contra Costa College English instructors report that students who complete the highest levels of ESL are more successful in required English classes and are more likely to pass English composition than the average student.

In this program, students will practice a variety of language skills in English at the advanced level. Students work on developing grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

A Certificate Accomplishment may be earned by completing the following courses. Students must complete all courses for the certificate with a grade of C or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the program will be able to:
- Communicate in writing on a college level.
- Understand and express themselves orally on a college level.
- Read authentic college-level texts.
- Understand college-level academic lectures.