
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Golden West College offers majors and programs that lead to an Associates Degree or Certificate. We also offer courses that fulfill for general education requirements and transferable courses which fulfill lower division requirements for many other majors. It is important that you meet with a GWC Counselor early in your studies to develop your Student Education Plan (SEP).
ACADEMIC DIVISIONS
Degree and Certificate Descriptions
Associate in Arts Degree
Associate Degrees are commonly conferred by community colleges, with one of two purposes. Either the program prepares an individual for transfer to a four-year college or university, or the program is intended to prepare the student for immediate employment. The requirements for the associate degree include the specific courses in the major or area of emphasis and courses comprising the general education or breadth requirement for a total of 60 units.
Associate in Science Degree
Associate Degrees are commonly conferred by community colleges, with one of two purposes. Either the program prepares an individual for transfer to a four-year college or university, or the program is intended to prepare the student for immediate employment. The requirements for the associate degree include the specific courses in the major or area of emphasis and courses comprising the general education or breadth requirement for a total of 60 units.
Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
This is a variation of the associate degrees offered at California community colleges. It is intended for students who plan to transfer to a CSU campus. These degrees guarantee admission to the CSU system but not to a particular campus or major. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree in order to meet the requirements for a particular CSU campus. More information about the ADTs is available at http://www.adegreewithaguarantee.com/
Associate in Science Degree for Transfer
This is a variation of the associate degrees offered at California community colleges. It is intended for students who plan to transfer to a CSU campus. These degrees guarantee admission to the CSU system but not to a particular campus or major. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree in order to meet the requirements for a particular CSU campus. More information about the ADTs is available at http://www.adegreewithaguarantee.com/
Certificate of Achievement
This certificate goes through the State approval process and requires a minimum of 12 units of coursework in a particular academic or occupational area. The certificate is recorded on the student’s transcript and they are recognized at the graduation ceremony.
Certificate of Achievement – Transfer
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) and the California State University General Education – Breadth Certificates of Achievement are state approved and along with a Major or Area of Emphasis meets the requirement for an AA degree with the purpose of transferring to a 4-year institution.
Certificate of Specialization
This certificate focuses on the student gaining competency in a skill so he/she can quickly move into the workplace and must be under 18 units. This certificate does not require state approval, it is not recorded on the student’s transcript, and there is no acknowledgment of completion given at the graduation ceremony.
Degrees and Certificates in Alphabetical Order
Accounting
Accounting – AA
Staff Accountant – COA
IRS Enrolled Agent – COS
American Sign Language Interpreting
American Sign Language Interpreting- AA | COA
Anthropology
Anthropology – AA-T
Art
Art – AA
Art History – AA-T
Studio Arts – AA-T
Automotive Technology
Chassis & Drivetrain Specialist – AA | COA
Engine Performance & Emissions Specialist – AA | COA
Biology
General Biology – AA
Business Administration
Business Administration – AS-T | AA | COA
Entrepreneurship I – Small Business Ownership & Expansion – COS
Entrepreneurship II – Small Business – COS
Chemistry
Chemistry – AA
Communication Studies
Communication Studies – AA-T
Computer Aided Design & Drafting
CADD – AA | COA
Technical Drafting – COS
Computer Business Applications
Computer Business Applications – AA | COA
Business Information Worker I – COA
Microsoft Office – COS
Certified Business Professional: CAP – AA
Certified Business Professional: Professional Legal Secretary – AA
Computer Science
Computer Science – AS
Software Development – AA | COA
Video Game Development – AA | COA
Cosmetology
Cosmetology – AA | COA
Esthetician – AA | COA
Barbering – COA
Criminal Justice
Administration of Justice – AS-T | AA
Corrections – AA
Law Enforcement – COA
Police Academy – AA
Dance
Dance – AA
Design
Design – COA
Digital Arts
Digital Arts – AA
Biotechnology Media Design – COS
Graphic Design and Production – COA
Graphic Design Advanced Production – COS
Graphic Design Foundation – COS
Graphic Design Web Site Design – COS
Digital Media
Digital Media- AA | COA
Audio Recording – COS
Video Editing – COS
Video Production – COS
Economics
Economics – AA-T
Elementary Teacher Education
Elementary Teacher Education – AA-T
Liberal Studies for Elementary Education – AA
English
English – AA-T
Environmental Studies
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy – AA
Energy Auditor – COA
Solar Energy – COA | COS
Floral Design and Shop Management
Floral Design and Shop Management – AA | COA
Floral Design Artisan – COS
Floral Design Entrepreneur – COS
French
French – AA
Geography
Geography – AA-T
Geology
Geology – AS-T
Global Studies
Global Studies – AA | COA
History
History – AA-T
Kinesiology
Kinesiology- AA-T
Liberal Arts
AA – AREA OF EMPHASIS:
Arts and Humanities – AA
Business and Public Administration – AA
Computer Science and Technology – AA
Mathematics – AA
Science – AA
Social and Behavioral Sciences – AA
Human Behavior and Self-Development – AA
Management
Management – AA | COA
Human Resources Management – COA
Retail Management – COA
Marketing
Marketing – AA | COA
Mathematics
Mathematics – AS-T | AA
Music
Music – AA-T
Nursing
Nursing – Registered Nurse – AS
Nursing – LVN to RN – AS
Peace Studies
Peace Studies – AA
Philosophy
Philosophy – AA-T
Physics
Physics – AS-T | AS
Political Science
Political Science – AA-T | AA
Psychology
Psychology – AA-T | AA
Science
See Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
Sociology
Sociology – AA-T
Spanish
Spanish- AA-T | AA
Theater Arts
Theater Arts – AA-T | AA
Scenic, Lighting and Projection Design Technician – COA
Vietnamese
Vietnamese – AA
World Language
World Language – AA