Certificates
The Office Administration’s Computer Business Applications program successfully prepares students with an introduction to intermediate level knowledge of computer literacy. Emphasis is placed on learning state-of-the-art computer business applications and fundamental business skills required in today’s business offices. Computer business applications include MS Windows, Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word; financial applications such as QuickBooks Pro; and computer keyboarding. Fundamental business skills include proofreading, administrative business procedures, and filing and records management.
The primary focus of the CBA program is to provide students the knowledge and skills to achieve certification at the college, national, and international levels. CBA offers students the option of majoring in Computer Business Applications, Administrative Assistant, and/or Legal Secretary/Assistant. CBA utilizes MS Certified Application Specialist Approved Courseware so that students can achieve national certification at the Specialist and Professional levels upon completion of the required CBA courses. CBA offers certification for the International Association of Administrative Professional’s Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exams.
Federal Gainful Employment Report
Use the link below to view Golden West College’s gainful employment reports. These reports provide you, the student, with important information regarding the costs, benefits and potential employment options of our certificate programs.
Federal Gainful Employment Reports
Certificates of Achievement
Administrative Assistant
(Pending State Approval)
This certificate will provide the essential business and computer skills needed to gain entrance into top-level administrative assistant positions. The skills acquired with this certificate will prepare one for working closely with business management professionals; assisting physicians with reports, speeches, and conference proceedings; and/or assisting engineers or scientists with correspondence and technical material. Specialized duties include: intermediate to advanced expertise in Microsoft Office Suite such as generating reports, presentations, spreadsheets, charts, coordinating calendars, travel arrangements, expense reports, and all forms of correspondence; Internet proficient; knowledgeable in office procedures and administrative processes.
Required Courses Units
First Year
Semester 1
Business 125 Business English 3 Units
Business 130 Introduction to Business Writing 3 Units
Comp Bus App 117 Proofreading Skills 3 Units
Total Units 9
First Year
Semester 2
Comp Bus App 150 Windows, Introduction 1.5 Units
Comp Bus App 181 MS OFFICE, Introduction 4 Units
OR the following 4 courses meet and/or exceed the requirement of CBA G181:
Comp Bus App G155, Word, Intro
Comp Bus App G160, Excel, Intro
Comp Bus App G165, Access, Intro
Comp Bus App G170, PowerPoint, Intro
Comp Bus App 149 Outlook, Introduction 2 Units
Total Units 7.5
Second Year
Semester 1
Comp Bus App 119 Administrative Business Procedures 3 Units
Comp Bus App 183 MS OFFICE, Intermediate 4 Units
OR the following 4 courses meet and/or exceed the requirement of CBA183:
Comp Bus App G156 Word, Intermediate
Comp Bus App G161 Excel, Intermediate
Comp Bus App G166 Access, Intermediate
Comp Bus App G171, PowerPoint, Intermediate
Comp Bus App 190 Internet, Introduction 1.5 Units
Total Units 8.5
Total Units Required 25
Computer Business Applications
This certificate of achievement is designed to provide the student with an introduction to computers and computer literacy as well as a working knowledge of the most frequently used computer business application programs common in today’s business office. Some of those duties include: effectively use a computer to process data, manage folders and files, customize the Windows environment, work with hardware and printers; analyze spreadsheet data and create charts and graphs; compose various business documents, such as letters, reports, manuscripts, and memorandums; create and manage a database; integrate information among the various applications; customize and explore a personal information manager and e-mail program to integrate with other technologies; examine business accounting records and perform sound business decisions based on financial reports; and research and evaluate topics on the Internet. Successful completion of this certificate will help students focus on, prepare for, and accomplish the Microsoft Certified Application Professional Certification exam. Some of the courses in this certificate may not be available every semester. Students are requested to check advisories.
Required Courses Units
First Year
Semester 1
Comp Bus App G145 Introduction to Computers 1.5 Units
Comp Bus App G150 Windows, Introduction 1.5 Units
Comp Bus App G151 Windows, Intermediate 1.5 Units
Comp Bus App G181 OFFICE 4 Units
OR the following 4 courses meet or exceed the requirement of CBA G181:
Comp Bus App G155 Word, Intro
Comp Bus App G160 Excel, Intro
Comp Bus App G165 Access, Intro
Comp Bus App G170 PowerPoint, Intro
Comp Bus App G149 Outlook, Introduction 2 Units
Total Units 10.5
First Year
Semester 2
Comp Bus App G183 OFFICE, Intermediate 4 Units
OR the following 4 courses meet or exceed the requirement of CBA G183:
Comp Bus App G156 Word, Intermediate
Comp Bus App G161 Excel, Intermediate
Comp Bus App G166 Access, Intermediate
Comp Bus App G171 PowerPoint, Intermediate
Comp Bus App G157 Word, Advanced 2 Units
Comp Bus App G190 Internet, Introduction 1.5 Units
Comp Bus App G120 QuickBooks Pro 2 Units
Comp Bus App G195 Acrobat, Introduction 1.5 Units
Total Units 11
Total Units Required 21.5
Legal Secretary/Assistant
This certificate will provide the essential skills needed to gain employment in the court system, in a law office, or in a legal department of business or industry. Specialized duties will include performing highly specialized work requiring knowledge of technical terminology and procedures. This may include preparing correspondence and legal papers such as summons, complaints, motions, responses, and subpoenas under the supervision of an attorney or paralegal. Some of the courses in this certificate may not be available every semester. Students are requested to check Advisories.
Required Courses Units
First Year
Semester 1
Comp Bus App G104 Computer Keyboarding, Speed and Accuracy 1 Units
Business G110 Business Law 3 Units
OR
Business G108 Legal Environment of Business 3 Units
Accounting G100 Accounting Elements 4 Units
OR
Accounting G101 Financial Accounting 4 Units
Total Units 8 Units
First Year
Semester 2
Comp Bus App G115 Filing & Records Management 3 Units
Comp Bus App G117 Proofreading Skills 3 Units
Law C127** Legal Procedures 1 3 Units
Total Units 9 Units
Second Year
Semester 1
Law C128** Legal Procedures 2 3 Units
Comp Bus App G150 Windows, Introduction 1.5 Units
Comp Bus App G182 OFFICE, Introduction 2 Units
Total Units 6.5 Units
Second Year
Semester 2
Comp Bus App G155 WORD, Introduction 2 Units
Comp Bus App G156 WORD, Intermediate 2 Units
Total Units 4 Units
Total Units Required 27.5 Units
**Offered at CCC
CERTIFIED BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL: CPS/CAP CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OPTION
Individuals who have passed the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and/or Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exam administered by the Institute for Certification of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) may be awarded 30 units of course work toward the Associate in Arts Degree at Golden West College.
The 30 course credits (with units earned and a credit grade) awarded to Certified Professional Secretary and/or Certified Administrative Professional certificate holders will be recorded on the student's transcript upon completion of the remaining Associate in Arts degree requirements at Golden West College and/or upon completion of the 12-unit residency requirement.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Supply evidence of CPS or CAP certification from IAAP to the Admission and
Records Office at Golden West College. - Meet with the GWC counselor for this area to complete a Course and Credit
Selection Agreement following the appropriate Certified Business Professional
curriculum. - Complete an application of eligibility.
Note: If the student has taken or wishes to take any of the core courses listed, the
student may select other course units on the Course and Credit Selection Agreement to
replace those units.
STUDENTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL SECRETARY AND/OR CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION WILL BE AWARDED 19 (Nineteen) UNITS OF CREDIT IN THE FOLLOWING COURSES. (THESE COURSES WILL ESTABLISH THE AREA OF CONCENTRATION FOR THE AA DEGREE.)
Business G130 Intro to Business Writing 3 Units
Comp Bus App G117 Proofreading Skills 3 Units
Comp Bus App G119 Admin Business Procedures 3 Units
Management G111 Human Resource Management 3 Units
Accounting G100 Accounting Elements 4 Units
OR
Accounting G101 Financial Accounting 4 Units
Business G110 Business Law 3 Units
OR
Business G108 Legal Environment of Business 3 Units
AN ADDITIONAL 11 (Eleven) UNITS (FOR A TOTAL OF 30 UNITS) WILL BE AWARDED FROM AMONG THE LIST OF COURSES OUTLINED ON THE COURSE AND CREDIT SELECTION AGREEMENT, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED IN THE COUNSELOR'S OFFICE.
CERTIFIED BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL:
PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SECRETARY CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OPTION
Individuals who have passed the Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) exam administered through the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) may be awarded up to 30 units of course work toward the Associate in Arts Degree at Golden West College. The 30 course credits (with units earned and a credit grade) awarded to Certified Professional Legal Secretary certificate holders will be recorded on the student's transcript upon completion of the remaining Associate in Arts degree requirements at Golden West College and/or upon completion of the 12-unit residency requirement.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Supply evidence of PLS certification from NALS to the Admissions and Records
Office at Golden West College. - Meet with the GWC counselor for this area to complete a Course and Credit
Selection Agreement following the appropriate Certified Business Professional
curriculum. - Complete an application of eligibility.
Note: If the student has taken or wishes to take any of the core courses listed, the
student may select other course units on the Course and Credit Selection Agreement to
replace those units.
STUDENTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SECRETARY EXAMINATION WILL BE AWARDED 18 (Eighteen) UNITS OF CREDIT IN THE FOLLOWING COURSES. (THESE COURSES WILL BE APPLIED TOWARD THE AREA OF CONCENTRATION FOR THE AA DEGREE.)
Business G139 Business Communication 3 Units
Computer Science G101 Computer Literacy 3 Units
Management G110 Elements of Management 3 Units
Management G140 Organization and Professional Values/Ethics 2 Units
Accounting G100 Accounting Elements 4 Units
OR
Accounting G101 Financial Accounting 4 Units
Business G108 Legal Environment of Business 3 Units
OR
Business G110 Business Law 3 Units
AN ADDITIONAL 12 (Twelve) UNITS (FOR A TOTAL OF 30 UNITS) WILL BE AWARDED FROM AMONG THE LIST OF COURSES OUTLINED ON THE COURSE AND CREDIT SELECTION AGREEMENT, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED IN THE COUNSELOR'S OFFICE.
CERTIFICATES OF SPECIALIZATION
Microsoft Office
This certificate of specialization is designed to provide the student with a working
knowledge of the Microsoft OFFICE Suite. Specialized duties include composing
correspondence, creating spreadsheets, managing databases, and creating presentations.
Integrating information among the various applications for dissemination to staff
and clients is essential in running an organization efficiently. Some of the courses in
this certificate may not be available every semester. Students are requested to check
Advisories.
Required Courses Units
Semester 1
Comp Bus App G102 Computer Keyboarding, Introduction, Part 2 1 Units
Comp Bus App G150 Windows, Introduction 1.5 Units
Comp Bus App G155 WORD, Introduction 2 Units
Comp Bus App G160 EXCEL, Introduction 2 Units
Total Units 6.5
Semester 2
Comp Bus App G165 ACCESS, Introduction 2 Units
Comp Bus App G170 PowerPoint, Introduction 2 Units
Comp Bus App G182 OFFICE, Introduction 2 Units
Total Units 6
Total Units Required 12.5