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About Certificates:
Certificates prepare students for employment or career advancement. Certificates are developed through advisory committees consisting of industry leaders, employers, and SRJC faculty ensuring that students are learning the skills needed by the respective industry. There are four types of certificates recognized by the College: Certificates of Achievement, Skills Certificates, Certificates of Completion (non-credit) and Certificates of Competency (non-credit).
Certificates of Achievement are noted on a student's transcript upon successful completion and contain at least 8 units of coursework. Some certificates of achievement may be completed in as little as 1 year. These certificates are intended to certify that students who have successfully completed the program are prepared to enter the careers associated with their chosen certificate. SRJC strives to meet employer demands and these certificates are subject to rigorous review upon their creation and their continuation. In addition to local approval, these programs must also be endorsed by the Bay Area Community College Consortium and receive approval from the California Community College Chancellor's Office. Prior to the 2008-2009 catalog, Certificates of Achievement were designated as Career Certificates.
Skills Certificates are under 16 units and are not acknowledged on a student's transcript nor are they required to be State Chancellor's Office approved. Some skills certificates may be completed in as little as a single semester. These certificates are designed to provide the student with a brief but intense course of study in a particular area, so that the student may develop specific skills or prepare for an entry-level position in the field. Successful completion of these programs also may certify that students are prepared with a particular set of skills, such as the job entry skills leading to a full Certificate of Achievement program, or skills to upgrade or advance in an existing career. These programs often provide advancement on a "career ladder," and are therefore of shorter duration and narrower in scope than the Certificate of Achievement programs to which they may lead. Prior to the 2006-2007 Catalog, Skills Certificates were designated as Completion Certificates or Competency Certificates. Prior to the 2008-2009 Catalog, Skills Certificates were designated as Achievement Certificates.
Certificates of Completion are non-credit certificates that prepare students to enter the workforce. These certificates are State Chancellor's Office approved and noted on a student's transcript upon successful completion.
Certificates of Competency are non-credit certificates that assist with preparation for college-level work. Certificates of Competency may be in English as a Second Language (ESL) or Elementary and Secondary Basic Skills such as General Education Development (GED) test preparation. These certificates are State Chancellor's Office approved and noted on a student's transcript upon successful completion.
Have a certificate and want to get a degree?
Degrees are often available for many occupational fields that also have a Certificate of Achievement. Students in occupational programs are strongly encouraged to obtain an Associate Degree. This can be done by selecting a major related to the certificate program, or by pursuing a more general major, such as Humanities, Natural Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences. To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must complete the requirements of the major, as well as other degree requirements.
A student who has completed a certificate program may be awarded the Associate Degree in a later semester providing all major and degree requirements are met.
The Certificate of Achievement and Selection Processes:
Some programs - particularly in the Health Sciences or Public Safety fields - may have a selection process for entering students. Please contact the department or a counselor for information about the selection process for any such program.
Coursework Requirements and the Certificate:
No course may be used more than once to fulfill a requirement in the certificate.