The Basic Drone Piloting certificate prepares students to take the Federal Aviation Administration's initial aeronautical knowledge test for a remote pilot certificate through lecture, discussion and individual flying of drones. The program will help guide students on basic aeronautics and operations as they pertain to drone piloting and their preferred career Student's also learn the principles, guidelines and regulations regarding effective piloting of unmanned aerial vehicles. Safety , ethics and the laws associated with drone flight will also be stressed. Certificate of Completion Pursuant to Title 5, § 55151, students completing noncredit courses in a prescribed pathway, chaptered by the Chancellor’s Office, leading to improved employability or job opportunities, a Certificate of Completion may be awarded. A noncredit Certificate of Completion means a document confirming that a student has completed a noncredit educational program of noncredit courses that prepares students to progress in a career path or to take degree applicable credit courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the federal and local regulations for piloting a drone.

2. Prepare students to take the FAA’s initial aeronautical knowledge test for a remote pilot certificate.

3. Properly employ and execute various operations of a drone.

4. Create a basic working autonomous system.

The Sustainable Crop Management Certificate of Achievement is intended for students interested in a career in the area of crop health. Students typically select this emphasis as part of the requirements to earn a specialized government license or certification such as a Pest Control Advisor (PCA) license, an International Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), or a Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg).

Additional requirements apply in order to obtain a California PCA license, CCA or CPAg. In addition, a BS degree in Plant Science, Crop Science or similar area of study is recommended for most students seeking this career pathway.  

For further information about the California PCA license, contact the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (http://www.cdpr.ca.gov) or CAPCA (https://capca.com/pca/). For further information about becoming a CCA or CPAg, contact the American Society of Agronomy (https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/).

The Small Farm Operation and Management Certificate is intended for students interested in becoming entrepreneurs in the area of crop production. Students will learn the foundation skills for farming and agriculture business from the ground up. Students will learn in an actual small farm production environment with a focus on organic production systems. Students may use this emphasis as a foundation to start their own business or obtain skills and knowledge to work in industry. This certificate contains all the required major coursework for an AS in Agriculture with an Emphasis in Agriculture Small Farm Operation and Management. Several courses in the Small Farm Operation and Management emphasis are held off‐campus at the ALBA Facility, 1700 Old Stage Road, Salinas.

Program Outcomes:

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

🗸 Demonstrate problem‐solving techniques and critical thinking skills while engaged in a crop production environment.
🗸 Prepare and deliver business documents and use math skills in an appropriate form, format, and language essential for career success in a crop production setting.
🗸 Prepare a detailed business and marketing plan for an entrepreneurial agricultural business.
🗸 Distinguish and propose inputs and controls needed to produce a consistently healthy crop in an area of study.
🗸 Demonstrate professional and personal development of work habits and safety practices

The Digital Animation certificate builds on the Digital Art Foundation Certificate for students interested in Digital Animation. It combines the study of animation, art, graphics and problem solving using the tools and techniques for digital animation. This course of study prepares students for entry-level positions in digital animation. This certificate requires successful completion of the Digital Art Foundation Certificate or demonstration of equivalent knowledge and skills.

Learning Outcomes

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

🗸 Define and apply principles of animation in creative work.
🗸 Create, edit, and troubleshoot animated project files using industry-standard tools and software.
🗸 Analyze and critique creative work in verbal and written form.
🗸 Employ professional design and production studio practices.
🗸 Manage a portfolio of animation work.

The Marine Science Certificate of Achievement offers an opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge about the ocean. Marine science includes the study of tiny microscopic plankton that make the oxygen we breathe, ocean currents that travel the entire planet and regulate climate, deep sea volcanoes that are homes to the most ancient life known on Earth, and waves that erode our coast. Students will gain hands-on practical experience doing marine science, including gaining skills making field observations from shore or ships, interpreting ocean data, and engaging in scientific discourse. Participating students will develop their abilities to problem-solve and work together, essential qualities in the highly collaborative field of marine science. Students will also connect with marine careers in several sectors, such as government, non-profit, education, and consulting.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ Analyze oceanographic data in both laboratory and field settings and apply practical methods and techniques to collect data.

✔ Integrate their knowledge of oceanographic processes with other natural sciences to evaluate scientific arguments and solve problems.

The Voice Certificate of Achievement prepares students for careers in vocal performance, private teaching, and directing vocal ensembles. Essential principles of singing will be developed through four semesters of leveled singing courses that emphasize posture, breathing, diction, tone production, stylistic interpretation, body movement, and song interpretation. Students will have many opportunities to perform solo pieces drawn from common classical music genres including musical theater. Participation in one or more vocal ensembles will ensure that students gain experience in harmonic and choral settings. Piano skills are introduced for students desiring to become vocal instructors or choral directors.

This certificate provides a foundation to join the workforce in commercial music performance as a vocalist or a musician who sings, as a choral director for religious or secular choirs, to enhance a music teaching career, to continue to an associate’s degree, or as a foundation for further advanced study.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ Demonstrate the fundamentals of vocal technique including breath control, tone production, diction, and methods of vocal pedagogy.

✔ Perform vocal music from the standard classical repertoire and from popular musical theater, demonstrating stylistic performance practices unique to each genre.

The Piano Certificate of Achievement prepares students for careers in piano performance, private teaching, accompaniment for choirs and musical theater, and performance in mixed classical and popular music ensembles. Essential principles of piano performance will be developed through four semesters of leveled courses that emphasize proper physical technique, pedaling, sight-reading, stylistic interpretation of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary repertoire, history of keyboard composers, and advanced musical techniques in the repertoire. Students will perform in master class format and for a live audience each semester. Participation in piano ensemble for four semesters will ensure that students gain experience in solo and combined musical settings. Accompaniment skills are introduced for students desiring to become accompanists for choral ensembles or musical theater. Upon completion, students will have a foundation to join the workforce in commercial music performance as an accompanist and/or musician, to enhance a music teaching career, to continue to an associate’s degree, or as a foundation for further advanced study.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ Perform piano literature with proficiency in technique and musicality in a live concert setting.

✔ Demonstrate knowledge and analysis of historical and technical developments of the keyboard.

The Mexican Mariachi and Banda Ensemble Certificate of Completion is a noncredit certificate designed to present the study, rehearsal, and performance of selected traditional Mexican popular music from the mariachi and banda styles in an ensemble setting. Students enter the certificate program with proficiency on a musical instrument or as a singer, add to their repertoire of music within the program, and discover pathways to build an independent career, using social media to promote their mariachi or banda or adding digital audio recording skills to record and produce their music. May be offered in a distance-learning format.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ Incorporate Mexican Mariachi and Banda Ensemble musical styles into personal musical performance.

✔ Develop a career pathway to promote professionally through self-promotion or digital audio sales.

The Latin American Music Certificate of Achievement is designed to provide students with a knowledge of selected Latin American musical cultures as well as the practical skills to perform music in Latin Jazz styles (Salsa, Cuban Son, and Rumba; Brazilian Bossa Nova and Samba) and/or the traditional popular music of western Mexico (Banda and Mariachi). Music students who are on a transfer path to a four-year college will gain educational experience in multicultural music through lecture and performance. Students on a career path in commercial music will be able to apply their skill and knowledge of Latin music styles to their own performance repertoire or create their own performance ensembles.

Latin American music has long been an important part of the development of both Jazz and popular music in the United States. Regionally, the music of western Mexico, both Mariachi and Banda, have become increasingly popular and support a workforce of professional musicians in the greater Bay Area and central coast.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ Demonstrate musical preparation, creativity, and professionalism while incorporating Latin American musical styles into live musical performances.

✔ Differentiate Latin American musical styles through aural critique and analysis of musical sounds and structures.

The Jazz Studies Certificate of Achievement is designed to provide the coursework necessary to prepare students for the performance of basic jazz styles on their instrument of proficiency. The courses include basic music theory, the study of a chordal instrument (guitar or piano) and jazz improvisation. Performance in at least two jazz-oriented ensembles is required. Students will also gain an understanding of the context of Jazz within American culture, including the historical development of the various Jazz styles and the multicultural influences in its evolution.

This certificate provides a foundation to join the workforce in commercial music performance in Jazz and Jazz-oriented popular music, to enhance a music teaching career,  to continue to an associate’s degree, or as a foundation for further advanced study.

Program Learning Outcomes

✔ Demonstrate musical preparation, creativity, and professionalism while incorporating Jazz styles into live musical performances.

✔ Differentiate Jazz styles through aural critique and analysis of musical sounds and structures.

✔ Assess the musical characteristics and aesthetic values of various historical periods in Jazz, its multicultural influences, and the role that Jazz plays in American culture.