Professional and Technical Workplace Skills

The professional and technical workplace skills associate in science degree program is designed in consultation with industry-wide professionals to address changing workforce needs. Students complete a set of interdisciplinary core courses that deliver communication and fundamental workplace competencies and select a specialization in one of the following areas: Helpdesk and Desktop Support or Project Management Support. In addition, students have the option to participate in work experience opportunities that reinforce classroom learning.This degree major will provide robust preparation for a student interested in a career in technology support in either of these job categories.

 

Eligible DVC students have the option to complete this program in an accelerated format through the DVC YearUp program. See the college website for details.

 

The DVC professional and technical workplace skills major is not intended for transfer. General Education Option 1 (DVC GE) is advised for students who do not intend to transfer. Students who intend to transfer to a four-year baccalaureate program should consult with a coun­selor regarding specific major preparation requirements at the transfer institution of their choice. Students who intend to transfer are advised to select General Education Option 2 (IGETC) or Option 3 (CSU GE).

 

To earn an associate in science degree with a major in professional and technical workplace skills, students must complete each course used to meet a major requirement with a “C” grade or higher and complete all general education requirements as listed in the catalog.

 

Certain courses may satisfy both major and general education requirements; however the units are only counted once.

We expect approximately 10 completers each year.

This program addresses the career education mission of community colleges. Students may complete the requirements in one of two ways:

1.     Complete courses as described in the program sequence chart above.

2.     Enroll in an intensive, one-year technology-training program in collaboration with Year Up. Students work complete accelerated coursework at DVC, while being supported through intensive personal and career services that help launch students into careers in the tech industry.

3.     Complete general education requirements.

The curriculum has been designed with the input of industry and is continuously reviewed and updated for currency and relevance.

DVC entered into a partnership with the national organization “Year Up” in Fall of 2017. Year Up provides an intensive, one-year technology-focused workforce training program for Diablo Valley College students that combines technical and professional skill development with high-quality internships at some of the Bay Area’s top companies. Students complete accelerated coursework at DVC, while being supported through intensive personal and career services that help launch students into the tech industry. During the first semester of the program, students complete courses with their Year Up Learning Community at DVC. In the second semester, students spend approximately 35 hours/week at a professional internship at one of Year Up’s 50+ corporate partners – organizations like Salesforce, Twitter, AirBNB, Workday, and Bank of the West. Completion of this coursework allows students to apply for a certificate of achievement in professional and technical workplace skills.Students have requested that the college develop an associate degree with the professional and technical workplace skills as the major. The addition of general education requirements to the core skill set will link the program even more clearly to the DVC Institutional Learning Outcomes.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
BUS-250	Business Communications	3	1
BUSMG-168	Customer Service	0.5	1
BUSMG-174	Business Ethics	0.5	1
CIS-116	Microsoft Excel-Comprehensive	2	1
COMM-120	Public Speaking	3	1
COMSC-101	Computer Literacy	4	1
plus all units from one of the following specializations:
Helpdesk and desktop support
BUS-101	Business English	3	1
CNT-104	IT Essentials (A+)	4	1
Project Management Support
CIS-180	Introduction to Project Management	3	1
CIS-185	Project Management Tools	2	1
plus at least 0-12 units from:
BUS-295	Occupational Work Experience Education in BUS	1-4	1
BUS-296	Internship in Occupational Work Experience Education in BUS	1-4	1
WRKX-180	Internship in Occupational Work Experience Education	1-4	1

This program submission is a request to add the general education requirements to an already approved certificate program in order to allow students the option to earn an associate degree.

Since this is merely an additional award in an already established program, there will be no impact to similar programs in the region.