Certificate Programs

	Normal Progress	Accelerated Program	Clock Hours	Semester Hours	Method of Delivery
Business General Program	35 Weeks+	23 Weeks+	480 Clock Hours	24 Semester Hours	Hybrid
Computerized Accounting	55 Weeks+	36 Weeks+	750 Clock Hours	38 Semester Hours	Hybrid
Computer Information System	35 Weeks+	23 Weeks+	480 Clock Hours	24 Semester Hours	Hybrid
Computer Graphic Design	35 Weeks+	23 Weeks+	480 Clock Hours	24 Semester Hours	Hybrid
Professional Computer Graphic Design	54 Weeks+	36 Weeks+	735 Clock Hours	36 Semester Hours	Hybrid and Traditional
Web Design	35 Weeks+	23 Weeks+	480 Clock Hours	24 Semester Hours	Hybrid
Web Software Technology	53 Weeks+	35 Weeks+	720 Clock Hours	36 Semester Hours	Hybrid
English as a Second Language *Duration based on 3 levels, out of 6 levels offered.	36 Weeks*	36 Weeks	720 Clock Hours		In-person

Program Details

Business General Program

The certificate program in business general provides a unique blend of introductory bookkeeping and computer applications for general businesses. This program provides students with working knowledge and technical skills to perform various fundamental bookkeeping duties and office software using the computer. By the end of the program, students are able to create and edit QuickBooks, Microsoft Word and Excel files for a career as an entry-level general office worker or bookkeeper.

Course	Lec	Lab	Units
CIS 101 Introduction to Computer Business Applications	30	30	3.0
GEN 120 Mathematics for Business & Consumers	30	30	3.0
BGP 104 Business Bookkeeping	50	50	5.0
ACT 120 Payroll Accounting	20	20	2.0
CAC 120 Excel for Accounting	40	40	4.0
CAC 160 QuickBooks	40	40	4.0
CIS 111 Microsoft Word	30	30	3.0
Total: 480 Clock Hours	240	240	24.0

Computerized Accounting

The certificate in computerized accounting program provides fundamental understanding and technical knowledge of accounting principles and process, and the practical use of accounting and tax software for both small business and corporations. This program provides students with working knowledge and relevant skills to perform various accounting duties using the computer. By the end of the program, students are able to prepare basic payroll and income taxes in preparation for a career in accounting as a bookkeeper.

Links: Course Descriptions | General Education Course Descriptions

Course	Lec	Lab	Units
CIS 101 Introduction to Computer Business Applications	30	30	3.0
ACT 100 Principles of Accounting I	40	40	4.0
ACT 120 Payroll Accounting	20	20	2.0
ACT 140 Principles of Accounting II	40	40	4.0
CAC 160 QuickBooks	40	40	4.0
CAC 170 Tax Software	30	0	2.0
CAC 120 Excel for Accounting	40	40	4.0
CAC 210 Advanced Accounting Software	40	40	4.0
ACT 160 Individual Income Taxes	40	40	4.0
GEN 120 Mathematics for Business and Consumers	30	30	3.0
ACT 200 Cost Accounting	40	40	4.0
Total: 750 Clock Hours	390	360	38.0

Computer Information System

The certificate program in computer information system provides a unique blend of basic knowledge of accounting principles and computer processes, and the practical use of accounting and office software for small business. This program provides students with working knowledge and relevant skills to perform various elementary accounting duties and office software using the computer. By the end of the program, students are able to create and edit QuickBooks, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files for a career as an entry-level office assistant or bookkeeper.

Course	Lec	Lab	Units
ACT 100 Principles of Accounting I	40	40	4.0
ACT 120 Payroll Accounting	20	20	2.0
CAC 160 QuickBooks	40	40	4.0
CAC 120 Excel for Accounting	40	40	4.0
CAC 140 Advanced Excel for Accounting	40	40	4.0
CIS 111 Microsoft Word	30	30	3.0
CIS 140 Microsoft PowerPoint	30	30	3.0
Total: 480 Clock Hours	240	240	24.0

Computer Graphic Design

The certificate program in graphic design provides fundamental proficiency in computer-aided design work. By learning the Adobe Creative Suite, students become proficient in photo editing, illustration, desktop publishing and web design. This fast-paced program provides students with working knowledge and relevant skills to perform a variety of graphic tasks and projects. By the end of the program, students are equipped with the essential foundation to meet the industry standards as an entry-level graphic designer.

Course	Lecture	Lab	Units
CGD 160 Photoshop I	30	30	3.0
CGD 170 Photoshop II	30	30	3.0
CGD 180 Illustrator I	30	30	3.0
CGD 185 Illustrator II	30	30	3.0
CGD 190 InDesign	30	30	3.0
CGD 200 Dreamweaver I	30	30	3.0
CGD 210 Dreamweaver II	30	30	3.0
CGD 260 Principles of Graphic Design I	30	30	3.0
Total: 480 Clock Hours	240	240	24.0

Professional Computer Graphic Design

The certificate program in graphic design provides the fundamental understanding of the principles in graphic design and technical knowledge using the Adobe Creative Suite. This program provides students with working knowledge and relevant skills to perform a variety of tasks that meet current industry standards. By the end of this program, students develop and create a diverse portfolio in preparation for a career in graphic design as a Junior Web or Graphic Designer.

Course	Lec	Lab	Units
CGD 133 Typography Design	15	30	2.0
CGD 135 Drawing for Graphic Design	15	30	2.0
CGD 150 Portfolio and Professional Practices	15	30	2.0
CGD 160 Photoshop I	30	30	3.0
CGD 170 Photoshop II	30	30	3.0
CGD 180 Illustrator I	30	30	3.0
CGD 185 Illustrator II	30	30	3.0
CGD 190 InDesign I	30	30	3.0
CGD 195 InDesign II	30	30	3.0
CGD 200 Dreamweaver I	30	30	3.0
CGD 210 Dreamweaver II	30	30	3.0
CGD 260 Principles of Graphic Design I	30	30	3.0
CGD 265 Principles of Graphic Design II	30	30	3.0
Total: 735 Clock Hours	345	390	36.0

Web Design

The certificate program in web design combines art and technology, providing students with a fundamental foundation in web design concepts, coding, and graphic design. Students learn to use the Adobe Creative Suite for scripting, programming, and graphic design for the web. In this program, students develop a portfolio of functioning websites. By the end of the program, graduates are prepared for a career as a web developer and digital designer.

Course	Lec	Lab	Units
CIS 101 Introduction to Computer Business Applications	30	30	3.0
WST 151 XHTML, CSS and Accessibility	30	30	3.0
WST 154 Web Page Development & Scripting I	30	30	3.0
WST 156 Web Media Production	30	30	3.0
WST 157 Website Planning & Production	30	30	3.0
WST 165 Web Design I	30	30	3.0
CGD 160 Photoshop I	30	30	3.0
CGD 180 Illustrator I	30	30	3.0
Total: 480 Clock Hours	240	240	24.0

Web Software Technology

The certificate program in web software technology provides the fundamental and technical knowledge in website development using the Adobe Creative Suite and coding. This program provides students with working knowledge and relevant skills to develop websites using HTLM5 and CSS3, programming, and scripting for the web. Students learn to use industry standard software and tools to develop a comprehensive portfolio of functioning websites. By the end of the program, graduates are prepared for a career as a web developer and web content manager.

Course	Lec	Lab	Units
CIS 101 Introduction to Computer Business Applications	30	30	3.0
WST 151 XHTML, CSS and Accessibility	30	30	3.0
WST 154 Web Page Development & Scripting I	30	30	3.0
WST 155 Web Page Development & Scripting II	30	30	3.0
WST 156 Web Media Production	30	30	3.0
WST 157 Website Planning & Production	30	30	3.0
WST 165 Web Design I	30	30	3.0
WST 167 WordPress	30	30	3.0
CGD 160 Photoshop I	30	30	3.0
CGD 170 Photoshop II	30	30	3.0
CGD 180 Illustrator I	30	30	3.0
CGD 185 Illustrator II	30	30	3.0
Total: 720 Clock Hours	360	360	36.0

English as a Second Language

This program is designed to provide non-native English speaking students with the language skills needed to enter U.S. colleges or universities, and/or to become gainfully employed in their home countries. The ESL program’s aim is to teach an intensive English course so students may learn the structure, grammar, and idiomatic use of the English language in the most comprehensive manner possible. To graduate from the ESL program, a student must complete a total of three consecutive levels, that is, 48 semester units (720 Clock Hours), and have maintained the school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. The ESL Achievement Scale explains the student’s ability by ESL Level.

Students who complete the ESL Program by graduating from ESL 6 can move onto the TOEFL courses which are specialty courses that introduce students to the test-taking techniques for improving their TOEFL score.

Course	Lec	Units
ESL 1 Beginning Level	240	16.0
ESL 2 High Beginning Level	240	16.0
ESL 3 Intermediate Level	240	16.0
ESL 4 High Intermediate Level	240	16.0
ESL 5 Advanced Level	240	16.0
ESL 6 High Advanced Level	240	16.0
Total Needed:	720 hours	48.0

Specialty Courses	Lec	Units*
TOEFL iBT	240	16.0
TOEFL PBT	240	16.0

*Note: A total of 20 instructional hours per week are provided.

Admission Requirements

Admission to Degree and 720 Clock-Hour Degree Programs:

Applicants for the Associate of Occupational Studies or Associate of Applied Science programs and Certificate Programs 720 Clock Hours or more must meet the General Admission Requirements and the following requirements:

Score of 28 or higher on the Scholastic Level Exam^TM (SLE).
Demonstrated desire to pursue a career in the field of study.
For English as a Second Language Students: Minimum TOEFL^® score of 450 for TOEFL PBT, or 45 for TOEFL iBT, or a minimum Cambridge Michigan English Exam score of 54, unless the country of origin uses English as the language of instruction.

Admission to Certificate Programs Less than 720 Clock Hours:

Applicants for the Certificate programs must meet the General Admission Requirements and the following degree program requirements:

Score of 24 or higher on the Scholastic Level Exam^TM (SLE).
Demonstrated desire to pursue a career in the field of study.
For English as a Second Language Students: Minimum TOEFL^® score of 450 for TOEFL PBT, or 45 for TOEFL iBT, or a minimum Cambridge Michigan English Exam score of 54, unless the country of origin uses English as the language of instruction.

Admission to the ESL Certificate Program:

Applicants for the English as a Second Language (ESL) program must meet the General Admission Requirements and complete the following:

Take an English Placement Exam to place the applicant at an ESL level corresponding to their English proficiency.

For the complete policy on the Admissions Requirements, please reference the LAPC Catalog.

Start of Program

The Computer Graphic Design (CGD), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computerized Accounting (CAC), and Web Software Technology (WST) programs admit new students at the start of each new course within the program.

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program has an open enrollment window. If students enroll during a term and the ESL class has been in session for ten school days or more, students are given the option of auditing the class (no credit given) for its duration, or taking the class when it starts again. Students may progress to the next level in the ESL Program if the student passes the final exam for each subject with a grade of C or higher.