The Certificate of Achievement in Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician (ASHP/ACPE Accredited) curriculum is a nine-month sequential program accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (ASHP/ACPE accredited), with an entry in the Fall Quarter only. This program prepares students for pharmacy technician positions in a variety of pharmacy settings—hospitals, nursing homes, community/retail, home health care, and public and government agencies. Graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement and are qualified to apply and register with the California State Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician. Registration is a legal requirement in order to work as a Pharmacy Technician.

An optional two-year expanded Pharmacy Technician Associate in Science degree program is also available which includes general education. This two-year course sequence offers the student the ability to transfer to a four-year college or to enter the job market with an additional technical and theoretical background. General education coursework can be completed either before or after acquiring the Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician Certificate.

Students may also elect to take additional coursework at Foothill College to satisfy all prerequisite course requirements for Pharmacy School admission. For more information regarding Pharmacy School prerequisites, consult with a counselor.

The Certificate of Achievement in Pharmacy Assistant (Aide/Clerk) is the first in a series of stackable pharmacy career certificates. This short-term, entry-level certificate serves as a direct CTE pathway for high school/rising students to pursue careers within the pharmacy profession or pursue other entry-level allied health professions. The academic curriculum, competency-based training, and transferable skills development will result in skills and credentials necessary to secure living wage skilled positions in the pharmacy profession with the potential for promotion and opportunities for future educational advancement in pharmacy or any healthcare-related career.

The Certificate of Achievement in Basic Pharmacy Technician is a nine (9) month, part-time, stackable program, which serves as a direct CTE pathway for students to pursue careers within the pharmacy profession and various entry-level allied health professions. The academic curriculum, competency-based training, and transferable skills development will result in skills and credentials necessary to secure living wage skilled positions in the pharmacy profession with the potential for promotion and opportunities for future educational advancement in pharmacy or any healthcare-related career. Students must be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma/GED or equivalent to participate in an externship and apply for a license with the California Board of Pharmacy.

Learn more about the program on the Pharmacy Technology website.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Graduates will demonstrate pharmaceutical knowledge, clinical skills, and values necessary to practice as a competent pharmacy technician in both community/retail and hospital pharmacy settings.

- Graduates will demonstrate competency with entry-level clinical skills in accordance with ASHP/ACPE accreditation requirements.

Career Opportunities

Pharmacy technician opportunities are available in community/retail pharmacies, hospitals, home health care, mail order, nursing homes, long-term care, health insurance companies, veterinary clinics, and public and government medical facilities.

The Certificate of Achievement in Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician (ASHP/ACPE Accredited) curriculum is a nine-month sequential program accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (ASHP/ACPE accredited), with an entry in the Fall Quarter only. This program prepares students for pharmacy technician positions in a variety of pharmacy settings—hospitals, nursing homes, community/retail, home health care, and public and government agencies. Graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement and are qualified to apply and register with the California State Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician. Registration is a legal requirement in order to work as a Pharmacy Technician.

An optional two-year expanded Pharmacy Technician Associate in Science degree program is also available which includes general education. This two-year course sequence offers the student the ability to transfer to a four-year college or to enter the job market with an additional technical and theoretical background. General education coursework can be completed either before or after acquiring the Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician Certificate.

Students may also elect to take additional coursework at Foothill College to satisfy all prerequisite course requirements for Pharmacy School admission. For more information regarding Pharmacy School prerequisites, consult with a counselor.

The Certificate of Achievement in Pharmacy Assistant (Aide/Clerk) is the first in a series of stackable pharmacy career certificates. This short-term, entry-level certificate serves as a direct CTE pathway for high school/rising students to pursue careers within the pharmacy profession or pursue other entry-level allied health professions. The academic curriculum, competency-based training, and transferable skills development will result in skills and credentials necessary to secure living wage skilled positions in the pharmacy profession with the potential for promotion and opportunities for future educational advancement in pharmacy or any healthcare-related career.

The Certificate of Achievement in Basic Pharmacy Technician is a nine (9) month, part-time, stackable program, which serves as a direct CTE pathway for students to pursue careers within the pharmacy profession and various entry-level allied health professions. The academic curriculum, competency-based training, and transferable skills development will result in skills and credentials necessary to secure living wage skilled positions in the pharmacy profession with the potential for promotion and opportunities for future educational advancement in pharmacy or any healthcare-related career. Students must be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma/GED or equivalent to participate in an externship and apply for a license with the California Board of Pharmacy.

Learn more about the program on the Pharmacy Technology website.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Graduates will demonstrate pharmaceutical knowledge, clinical skills, and values necessary to practice as a competent pharmacy technician in both community/retail and hospital pharmacy settings.

- Graduates will demonstrate competency with entry-level clinical skills in accordance with ASHP/ACPE accreditation requirements.

Career Opportunities

Pharmacy technician opportunities are available in community/retail pharmacies, hospitals, home health care, mail order, nursing homes, long-term care, health insurance companies, veterinary clinics, and public and government medical facilities.

The Certificate of Achievement in Personal Trainer program is a multi-disciplinary educational experience. Instruction emphasizes assessment, program development and proper mechanics through the principles of anatomy and exercise physiology, psychology and small business practices and how to start and run a small business. Hands-on experience is available to the student intern through an array of fitness industry professional internships. Through the program, students will intern with small businesses and or corporate gyms, working with potential employers.

Learn more about the program on the Kinesiology website.

Program Learning Outcomes

In addition to demonstrating competency in required coursework, graduates will have important job skills in the areas of interpersonal interaction, communication, creativity, honesty, leadership and motivation, teamwork, patience, enthusiasm, and the ability to work with a diversity of people and run a business.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be qualified to work as paraprofessionals in the following fields: activity leader, coach, director, teacher, personal trainer and group exercise leader. The certificate includes a small business start-up course for those students interested in owning their own business or being self-employed. Graduates will gain the knowledge needed to prepare them to take industry-standard national certifications such as NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), ACE (American Council on Exercise), and ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine).

The Foothill College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Paramedic curriculum is a rigorous 15 to the 18-month sequence of instruction. The program begins in the Fall Quarter, each year.

This program is for students who have worked as EMTs for at least three months at a full-time capacity, or the equivalent part-time experience (480 hours), wishing to become paramedics. The first three quarters are didactic (classroom) instruction, meeting two days a week. During the second quarter of didactic instruction, students will concurrently attend hospital specialty rotations (operating room, obstetrics, etc.). The final quarters include the emergency department hospital rotations and an ambulance field internship. The curriculum exceeds state law requirements by providing instruction based on the U.S. DOT National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards and the Paramedic Instructional Guidelines, Title 22 Chapter 4, Paramedic Basic Scope of Practice, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals, Prehospital Trauma Life Support, and studies of current nation-wide protocols and expanded practices. Students will be qualified to sit for the National Registry of EMTs paramedic examinations. This program has a 100% pass rate on the NREMT Written examination.

Graduates will be awarded a certificate of achievement and are qualified to apply to the State for paramedic licensure. Licensure is a legal requirement to work as a paramedic in California.

Learn more about the program on the Paramedic website. 

Program Learning Outcomes

- Graduates will become knowledgeable in multiple areas of anatomy and pathophysiology of various illnesses and injuries, which will help the paramedic to provide competent patient care.

- Graduates will have outstanding clinical assessment and skills.

- Graduates will meet or exceed the requirements for state licensure in California.

Career Opportunities

The program prepares students for employment as paramedics working for ambulance services, fire department agencies, air ambulance medical operations, and hospital emergency departments.

This program provides practical skills and knowledge for entry-level students interested in a career as a geriatric home aide. It prepares students to provide care to ambulatory elderly patients in their own homes, under the supervision of a registered nurse. The course curriculum is focused on basic needs, safety considerations and nutrition needs for the geriatric patient population.

Learn more about the program on the Non-Credit Programs website.

Program Learning Outcomes

- The student will be prepared to administer safe care to elderly patients in their own homes under the supervision of a registered nurse.

- The student will be prepared to document their care to elderly patients in their own homes under the supervision of a registered nurse.

The Certificate of Completion in Emergency Medical Technology provides practical skills and knowledge for entry-level students interested in a career as an EMT. It prepares students to respond and provide life-saving care to emergent and non-emergent incidents that involve victims of illness or injury. Students also learn to provide non-emergent patient care and inter-facility transportation. Upon successful completion of this certificate, the student will be eligible to take the National Registry EMT written exam for national certification.

Learn more about the program on the Emergency Medical Services website.

Program Learning Outcomes

- The student will be able to perform as a competent, entry-level EMT in accordance with Title 22, providing life-saving care during emergent and non-emergent incidents that involve victims of illness or injury.

- The student will be eligible to take the National Registry EMT written exam for national certification.

The Certificate of Completion in Bridge to College Level Mathematics prepares students to retake the placement test and helps students build skills for greater success in their next math course. Additionally, students who complete the program will demonstrate improved numerical literacy and quantitative reasoning skills necessary for future progression in math courses. Students will learn, practice skills, and problem solve in arithmetic, beginning algebra, and intermediate algebra. Topics will include: Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and signed numbers; order of operations with real numbers; understanding ratios and proportions; solving linear equations and inequalities, including percents and proportions; solving systems of linear equations; using exponents; factoring; graphing and analyzing linear equations; evaluating expressions involving square roots.

Learn more about the program on the Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering website.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Students will demonstrate improved numerical literacy and quantitative reasoning skills necessary for future progression in math courses.

The Certificate of Competency in Bridge to College Level English prepares students to be successful within the English discipline as well as in courses across the disciplines that demand critical reading, writing and thinking. The core course provides a foundation upon which students build as they transition into their transfer-level English courses, and the ongoing corequisite support courses encourage students to more readily complete the first-year requirements supported by the state's funding formula. Students will be exposed to college readiness skills courses for reading and writing at a college level, with a significant focus on developing self-advocacy, agency, metacognitive awareness, and study skills, as well as reading and writing strategies to successfully complete assignments required in transfer-level courses.

Learn more about the program on the English website.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Students will be prepared to take degree-applicable credit coursework in pursuit of an associate degree or transfer.

- Students will build college readiness skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking necessary to be successful in courses across the disciplines.

- Students will develop metacognitive awareness of student success strategies for reading, writing, critical thinking and academic progress.

- Students will feel confident to seek assistance in and out of class as needed to self-advocate.

- Students will be able to identify campus resources to promote their academic success.

- Students will gain equal access to degree-applicable courses without barriers resulting from economic, national, or cultural status.

The Certificate of Competency in Bridge to College ESL Pathway prepares students to bridge from noncredit to credit ESL courses. Students will be exposed to integrated skills courses for learners of English as an additional language. The focus is on developing a basic level of grammar and vocabulary through listening, speaking, reading and writing so that learners can communicate with other English speakers in and outside of the classroom. This program provides practical skills and knowledge for students progressing out of adult education classes as well as students seeking some English language proficiency for career advancement.

Learn more about the program on the English for Second Language Learners website.

Program Learning Outcomes

- The student will be able to identify campus resources to promote their academic success.

- The student will feel confident to seek assistance in class and around campus as needed to self-advocate.

- The student will gain the study skills necessary to be successful in ESL courses and courses in other disciplines.

The Associate in Arts degree in Music is a comprehensive course of study preparing the student to transfer to a four-year institution in music or a music-related field or to enter the music industry or a related field upon completion. Foothill's Music Department offers a wide variety of courses to satisfy the diverse interests and needs of its students. In addition to core courses in comprehensive musicianship and history/literature, the department also offers courses such as Music of American Cultures, the Music of the Beatles, and many others. The department's award-winning faculty are active as composers, authors, performers, arrangers, and publishers in the Bay Area and throughout the U.S. The department has some of the newest and most comprehensive facilities in the country. Our performance facilities have been newly renovated and all of our classrooms are equipped with Steinway pianos and/or top-of-the-line sound reinforcement/multimedia delivery systems. The Interdisciplinary Electronic Arts Center has many new features such as a new media classroom with MIDI keyboard stations fully equipped with the latest in recording and sound production design.

Learn more about the program on the Music website. 

Program Learning Outcomes

- Through the study of music history/literature, students examine music masterpieces from multiple eras and cultures, synthesizing information and making judgments as they evaluate how music reflects individual composers' lives, as well as the contemporary social/historical context in which the compositions were created and performed.

- Through music theory/composition, students analyze the structure of music and learn to create their own original works satisfying specific and complex compositional requirements.

- Through music performance, students learn how to apply and express their historical, theoretical, and artistic understandings in a presentation addressing an appropriate audience.

- Using this three-lens framework, students increase their community/global consciousness as they learn to appreciate how music is a potent tool for understanding individual and cultural uniqueness within the larger context of our common humanity.

Career Opportunities

Career prospects in the music industry are diverse and abundant. With the advent of digital music delivery systems and alternative media, music is an integral part of the media revolution. Students have the opportunity to enter the industry in a variety of positions directly and indirectly related to this media revolution. Careers are not localized: due to the growth of new media and the communication available via the internet, opportunities exist in many locations.