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Certificates & Degrees
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- Spring 2025 — Classes start Jan 13
About the Business Discipline
Get started on a career in business, finance, management, and more! Our programs give you the skills employers are looking for to help you land a job, get promoted, or level up in any field—not just business. Plus, business courses can also greatly enhance your career and life over the long term with foundational skills such as communication, teamwork, management, and much more.
Skills for business, Skills for life!
Certificates in Business
Business Information Workers are in high demand both locally and nationally, comprising one of the largest occupational fields in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The administrative arena includes job opportunities in a diverse range of fields including education, health care, government and social services, finance, real estate, insurance, the retail trade and hospitality industries. Well-trained workers continue to play a vital role in small entrepreneurships, providing an array of key support services. Salaries can vary widely, based on training, abilities and experience. Job applicants with stronger computer skills rise to the top of the candidate pool, frequently earning higher salaries.
The role of today’s Business Information Worker has evolved with the demands of a changing economy and ever-evolving technologies. Typically, this professional oversees daily operations including supporting employees; creating, editing and updating simple to complex documents; developing and maintaining spreadsheets, presentations and databases; planning and scheduling meetings and appointments; managing projects; organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files; conducting research; disseminating information using the telephone, mail services, websites and emails; and assisting with budgets as well as monitoring and maintaining office resources.
Learners earning a Business Information Worker – Administrative Assistant Certificate of Achievement will complete a variety of courses preparing them for the growing demands of the 21st Century workplace. After receiving this certificate, a student may choose to complete a few more classes and Woodland Community College’s general education requirements to qualify for the Business Information Professional Associate of Science degree.
Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.
Required Courses for this major (29.5 Total Units)
- ACCT3 Computerized Accounting (3 Units)
- ACCT50 General Accounting (3 Units)
- BCA15 Business Computer Applications – Beginning (3 Units)
- BCA20 Computer Calculation (1.5 Units)
- BCA33 Microsoft Excel II (1 Unit)
- BCA37 Microsoft Access II (1 Unit)
- BCA38 Microsoft Access III (1 Unit)
- BCA60 Computer Keyboarding (3 Units)
- BCA64 Microsoft Word II (1 Unit)
- BCA66 Microsoft Outlook (1 Unit)
- BCA67 Adobe Acrobat (1 Unit)
- BCA68 Records and Information Management (1 Unit)
- GNBUS21 Business Communications (3 Units)
- GNBUS56 Business Mathematics (3 Units)
- GNBUS72 Introduction to Business Information Worker (3 Units)
The Business Information Worker – Clerical Certificate of Achievement will provide entry-level job seekers with skills for the growing demands of a 21st Century workplace. Job opportunities are readily available locally and throughout the country in government, education, retail, hospitality, the service industries, big business and in smaller entrepreneurial enterprises. In fact, the administrative support field ranks high among the largest U.S. occupation categories, and labor statistics show steady employment opportunity growth.
The role of today’s office professional has advanced with the demands of a changing economy and ever-evolving technologies. Entry-level positions traditionally involve working with the public, preparing correspondence and reports, telephone and internet communications, and performing a variety of recordkeeping tasks. In actual day-to-day operations, a clerical employee experiences great variety in their daily tasks and significant opportunity for advancement within the business.
After earning the Business Information Worker – Clerical Certificate of Achievement, completing some additional coursework will qualify the learner for the Business Information Worker – Administrative Assistant Certificate of Achievement, which may open additional employment opportunities and also move the learner closer to an Associate of Science degree.
Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.
Required Courses for this major (15.5 Total Units)
- BCA15 Business Computer Applications – Beginning (3 Units)
- BCA20 Computer Calculation (1.5 Units)
- BCA59 Computer Literacy (1 Unit)
- BCA60 Computer Keyboarding (3 Units)
- BCA66 Microsoft Outlook (1 Unit)
- GNBUS56 Business Mathematics (3 Units)
- GNBUS72 Introduction to Business Information Worker (3 Units)
The Certificate of Achievement in Business Management will provide today’s business professional with the robust management skill set necessary to function successfully in a high-paced, high-tech, results-oriented business environment. Graduates will be well-prepared to enter a rapidly growing field with the confidence that they have received the knowledge and training sought by 21st-century employers. Business managers are being actively recruited every day by all industry sectors including government, education, retail, hospitality, service, and big and small business.
Students who complete the Business Management Certificate of Achievement will be well on their way to an Associate’s Degree in Business Management, with only four more classes to complete in addition to general education graduation requirements.
Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.
Required Courses for this major (24 Total Units)
Required Courses (21 Units)
- ACCT50 General Accounting (3 Units)
- BCA15 Business Computer Applications – Beginning (3 Units)
- ECON1B Elementary Economics-Micro (3 Units)
- GNBUS10 Introduction To Business (3 Units)
- GNBUS11 Principles of Management (3 Units)
- GNBUS21 Business Communications (3 Units)
- GNBUS56 Business Mathematics (3 Units)
Plus three additional units from the business elective courses listed below: (3 Units)
- ACCT9 Business Payroll Procedures (3 Units)
- GNBUS13 Principles of Marketing (3 Units)
- GNBUS15 Human Resource Management (3 Units)
- GNBUS35 Organizational Behavior (3 Units)
- GNBUS55 Principles of Selling (3 Units)
- GNBUS57 Principles of Social Media Marketing (3 Units)
- GNBUS58 Principles of Customer Service (3 Units)
The Entrepreneurship Certificate of Achievement is an online learning program designed for students who plan to open their own business, manage a small business, or work in a small business environment. This curriculum provides students with an understanding of 21st century business management practices for today’s entrepreneurs. Students will be able to understand and apply core competencies required in 21st century business management and ownership including principles of accounting, business ethics, social responsibility, management, marketing, and communication, all while simultaneously mastering digital fluency. Students who successfully complete the Entrepreneurship Certificate of Completion will be prepared to become CEOs of their own start-ups, franchise owner-operators, sole proprietors, and satellite or branch managers of larger operations.
Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.
Required Courses for this major (15 Total Units)
Required Courses (12 Units)
- ACCT50 General Accounting (3 Units)
- GNBUS13 Principles of Marketing (3 Units)
- GNBUS21 Business Communications (3 Units)
- GNBUS59 Entrepreneurship (3 Units)
Plus at least 3 units from the following (3 Units)
- ACCT3 Computerized Accounting (3 Units)
- ACCT6 Individual Income Taxes-Federal/State (4 Units)
- ACCT9 Business Payroll Procedures (3 Units)
- GNBUS18 Business Law (3 Units)
- GNBUS55 Principles of Selling (3 Units)
- GNBUS57 Principles of Social Media Marketing (3 Units)
- GNBUS58 Principles of Customer Service (3 Units)
The Medical Office Specialist Certificate of Achievement will provide today’s medical office business professional with the robust management skill set necessary to function successfully in a high-paced, high-tech, results-oriented medical office environment. Graduates will be well-prepared to enter this high-profile field with the confidence that they have received the knowledge and training sought by 21st-century employers. Medical Office Specialists with a solid foundation of office management skills and specialized training in medical terminology, customer service, and medical coding are being actively recruited every day in this rapidly growing industry.
Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.
Required Courses for this major (24 Total Units)
Required Courses (18 Units)
- BCA15 Business Computer Applications – Beginning (3 Units)
- GNBUS21 Business Communications (3 Units)
- GNBUS58 Principles of Customer Service (3 Units)
- GNBUS64 Medical Terminology for Office Specialist (3 Units)
- GNBUS65 Medical Office Procedures (3 Units)
- GNBUS66 Medical Coding (3 Units)
Required Work Experience – Take 3 units total from CWEE45A-Occupational Work Experience-Volunteer OR CWEE45B-Occupational Work Experience-Paid (3 Units)
Associate Degrees in Business
Business Information Professionals are in high demand both locally and nationally, comprising one of the largest occupational fields in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The administrative arena includes job opportunities in a diverse range of fields including education, health care, government and social services, finance, real estate, insurance, the retail trade and hospitality industries. Well-trained workers continue to play a vital role in small entrepreneurships, providing an array of key support services. Salaries can vary widely based on training, abilities, and experience. Job applicants with stronger computer skills rise to the top of candidate pools, frequently earning higher salaries.
The role of today’s office professional has evolved with the demands of a changing economy and ever-evolving technologies. Typically, a Business Information Professional oversees daily operations–including supporting employees; creating, editing and updating simple to complex documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases; planning and scheduling meetings and appointments; managing projects; organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files; conducting research; disseminating information using the telephone, mail services, websites and emails; developing and supporting marketing and advertising efforts; managing the company’s social media presence; and assisting with budgets as well as monitoring and maintaining office resources.
Students earning the Business Information Professional Associate in Science Degree will complete a variety of core courses preparing them for the growing demands of the 21st Century workplace. The general education requirements round out this technical training and help the student achieve stronger cultural awareness, enhanced self-understanding, improved critical thinking, writing, and communication skills, and an appreciating for life-long learning.
Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.
Required Courses for this major (35.5 Total Units)†
- ACCT3 Computerized Accounting (3 Units)
- ACCT50 General Accounting (3 Units)
- BCA15 Business Computer Applications – Beginning (3 Units)
- BCA20 Computer Calculation (1.5 Units)
- BCA33 Microsoft Excel II (1 Unit)
- BCA34 Microsoft Excel III (1 Unit)
- BCA37 Microsoft Access II (1 Unit)
- BCA38 Microsoft Access III (1 Unit)
- BCA60 Computer Keyboarding (3 Units)
- BCA64 Microsoft Word II (1 Unit)
- BCA65 Microsoft Word III (1 Unit)
- BCA66 Microsoft Outlook (1 Unit)
- BCA67 Adobe Acrobat (1 Unit)
- BCA68 Records and Information Management (1 Unit)
- BCA70 Microsoft PowerPoint II (1 Unit)
- GNBUS21 Business Communications (3 Units)
- GNBUS56 Business Mathematics (3 Units)
- GNBUS72 Introduction to Business Information Worker (3 Units)
- GNBUS74 Business Information Professional (3 Units)
The Business Management Associate in Science Degree is a natural progression beyond the Business Management Certificate of Achievement and will provide today’s business professional an additional layer of preparedness, providing the robust management skills training necessary to function successfully in a high-paced, high-tech, results-oriented business environment. Graduates will be well-prepared to enter a rapidly growing field with the confidence that they have received the knowledge and training sought by 21st-century employers. Business managers are being actively recruited every day by all industry sectors including government, high-tech, education, retail, hospitality, service, and big and small business.
Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.
Required Courses for this major (31–32 Total Units)†
Required Courses (25 Units)
- ACCT1 Principles of Accounting-Financial (4 Units)
- ACCT50 General Accounting (3 Units)
- ECON1B Elementary Economics-Micro (3 Units)
- GNBUS10 Introduction To Business (3 Units)
- GNBUS11 Principles of Management (3 Units)
- GNBUS18 Business Law (3 Units)
- GNBUS21 Business Communications (3 Units)
- GNBUS56 Business Mathematics (3 Units)
Electives (choose two) (6.0 – 7.0 Units)
- ACCT2 Principles of Accounting-Managerial (4 Units)
- GNBUS13 Principles of Marketing (3 Units)
- GNBUS15 Human Resource Management (3 Units)
- GNBUS35 Organizational Behavior (3 Units)
- GNBUS55 Principles of Selling (3 Units)
- GNBUS57 Principles of Social Media Marketing (3 Units)
- GNBUS58 Principles of Customer Service (3 Units)
The Associate of Science in Business Administration for Transfer Degree 2.0 prepares students to transfer to a CSU institution by completing required major preparatory coursework in business administration. Students complete required core courses (28 units) in accounting, economics, math, and business. The breadth of these specific courses combined with general education courses prepare students for upper division coursework in business administration at a CSU institution.
The Associate of Science in Business Administration for Transfer Degree 2.0 provides students with the opportunity to complete their freshman/sophomore level classes needed for a bachelor’s degree in business administration within the California State University System. The Associate of Science in Business Administration for Transfer Degree 2.0requirements (as stated in SB1440 law) requires students to also complete the following: A minimum of 18 semester in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district; 60 semester CSU transferable units; California State University General Education-Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) pattern of 39 units OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern of 37 units. Students must obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better, or a “P” (pass) in all courses required for the major.
Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.
Required Courses for this major (28 Total Units)†
- ACCT1 Principles of Accounting-Financial (4 Units)
- ACCT2 Principles of Accounting-Managerial (4 Units)
- ECON1A Elementary Economics-Macro (3 Units)
- ECON1B Elementary Economics-Micro (3 Units)
- GNBUS10 Introduction To Business (3 Units)
- GNBUS18 Business Law (3 Units)
- MATH9 Calculus for Business, Social and Life Sciences (4 Units)
- STAT1 Introduction To Statistical Methods (4 Units)
Courses in Business
Courses in Business
GNBUS10 Introduction To Business
Survey of the diverse activities of businesses operating in a changing global environment. Examines how economic systems, technology, legal factors, business strategies, human relations, trade barriers, finance, and culture interact to affect U.S. business policies and practices. Demonstrates how businesses achieve organizational goals and maintain their competitive advantage. Explores how entrepreneurship, organizational design and structure, leadership, human resource management and organized labor practices, organizational communication, innovation, marketing and consumer behavior, e-business, legal issues, accounting, and financial management can improve business practices.
Transferable to both UC and CSU
- C-ID: BUS 110
GNBUS11 Principles of Management
Managerial and organizational theory and practice; planning, organizing, influencing and controlling. Focusing on the role, functions, and responsibilities of management in a contemporary organization.
Course Details:
- Letter Grade Only
- Lecture Hours: 54
Limitations on enrollment:
Transferable to CSU only
GNBUS13 Principles of Marketing
This course is a general overview of marketing principles. The course covers the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individuals and organizational goals. Elements of the marketing environment such as government regulation, environmental protection, competition, and consumer behavior will be analyzed.
Transferable to CSU only
GNBUS15 Human Resource Management
Foundations for the contemporary theory and practices relating to the management of people; managing human resources within an organization; basic personnel processes.
Transferable to CSU only
GNBUS18 Business Law
Law and its relationship to business. Laws and regulations affecting managerial decisions. Dispute resolution, torts, contracts, government regulations and other area of commercial law explored through case analysis. Other legal concepts explored include ethics, employment, consumer transactions, competition, the environment, agency, and business organizations.
Transferable to both UC and CSU
- WCC Graduation: Area E
- C-ID: BUS 125
GNBUS21 Business Communications
Application of principles of ethical and effective communication to the creation of letters, memos, e-mails, and written and oral reports for a variety of business situations. Development and refinement of written and oral business communication skills including planning, organizing, composing, editing, and revising business documents using word processing software for written documents and presentation software to create and deliver professional oral reports. This course is designed for students who already have college-level writing skills.
Transferable to CSU only
GNBUS35 Organizational Behavior
Introduction to theories of management psychology and organizational behavior and their application in the workplace, including individual and group behaviors, organizational structure, the role of ethics in the workplace, change management, conflict resolution, and organizational dynamics.
Transferable to CSU only
GNBUS55 Principles of Selling
This is a course on the theory and practice of personal and professional selling with a focus on relationship marketing and a concentration on the selling process. This course includes an emphasis on sales strategies, techniques, settings, and skills development in product knowledge, customer analysis, prospecting, presenting, and closing the sale. Team sales presentations are also addressed.
GNBUS56 Business Mathematics
Math for business, accounting, management, real estate and marketing. Topics include discussion and calculations for banking, cash/trade/and bank discounting, retail and wholesale markups and markdowns, simple and compound interest, present value, annuities and sinking funds, discounting of notes, buying and selling of mutual funds and stocks, depreciation, taxes, insurance, financial statements and real estate loans.
Course Details:
- Letter Grade Only
- Lecture Hours: 54
Prerequisites:
GNBUS57 Principles of Social Media Marketing
This course is designed to provide students with a foundation in social media using interactive Internet and mobile applications. Students will learn and develop social media strategies for use in business and learn how to implement social media campaigns as part of a marketing strategy. Cost-effective methods of social media promotion for small businesses will be covered. Relationship-building, public relations, and event marketing using social and mobile media tactics will also be a focus. A social media promotion plan will be developed.
GNBUS58 Principles of Customer Service
Whether local or global, face-to-face, or online, providing excellent customer service is a necessary practice to attract and retain business in every industry. Workers who provide excellent customer service give their companies the best opportunity to produce profit, goodwill, and deliver services and products that satisfy and please clients. With a focus on both new and existing customers, students learn how to maximize this major source of business revenue. Students will also practice and fine-tune communication, active listening, and conflict resolution skills. Specific customer service tactics when working with both internal and external customers will be covered.
GNBUS59 Entrepreneurship
Principles of establishing and managing a small business, including the preparation of a business plan; emphasis on goal-setting, types of business organizations, obtaining licenses and permits, financing options, accounting aspects, legal requirements, managing the enterprise, and other aspects in business entrepreneurship.
GNBUS64 Medical Terminology for Office Specialist
Familiarization with and refinement of medical terminology from programmed text outlining word structure, definitions, and usage. Primarily intended for those who are preparing for a career in health or business, with an emphasis on clerical support staff responsibilities.
GNBUS65 Medical Office Procedures
Students will learn the role of a medical office administrative assistant by mastering medical office duties and becoming proficient in customer and patient service and the creation and maintenance of medical records.
GNBUS66 Medical Coding
Students will learn how to transform healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes. Students will be prepared to help ensure the codes are applied correctly during the medical billing process, which includes abstracting the information from documentation, assigning the appropriate codes, and creating a claim to be paid by insurance carriers.
Course Details:
- Letter Grade Only
- Lecture Hours: 54
Prerequisites:
GNBUS72 Introduction to Business Information Worker
This course provides the learner with a survey of skills and topics covered in the Business Information Worker Program certificates and degree program. Business English, entry-level office procedures such as the role of a business information professional, the workplace environment, workplace communication, ethics, customer focus, and teamwork are covered. The focus is an introduction to skills that are relevant to success as an office clerk, administrative assistant, office manager, or other business information worker roles.
GNBUS74 Business Information Professional
Designed for the last semester of study in the Business Information Worker pathway, this capstone course is designed to integrate and refine business information skills presented throughout the program in advanced preparation for the administrative professional occupation. Further administrative procedures including but not limited to travel arrangements, organizing meetings or conferences, and electronic records management integration are introduced. Emphasis is on time management, customer service, human relations, workplace ethics, and effective communication. A final focus on job applications, interviewing, and employment documents is included.
Course Details:
- Letter Grade Only
- Lecture Hours: 54
Prerequisites:
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Registration is now open to all students for Summer & Fall 2022
Summer Semester starts: June 13
Fall Semester starts: August 15
Area Dean
Sandra Fowler
Full-Time Faculty
Annette Lee
Jennifer Hanson
Liberty Harrison
Part-Time Faculty
Jennifer Pyzer
Matthew Dudman
Matthew Russell
David Bayne
Stanley Silsby
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Business, Hospitality & Entrepreneurship
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