First Line Supervisor

This certificate prepares students with a set of soft skills recognized as crucial to performing

in a supervisory role in a business setting. Specifically, improving communication skills,

understanding the structure and functions of business, and knowledge of human relations in

the workplace are all considered essential to the success of business today. It also develops

information technology literacy, including computer applications and online research skills.

Enrollment and Completer Projections for Program and Certificate Courses

*2017 – 2021

Enrollments

*2017 – 2021

Retention

*2017 – 2021

Success

BUS 32 - Introduction to

Business 2190 82.25% avg. 62.6%

BUS 43 - Business Information

Systems and Information Literacy 856 80.25% 65%

BUS 194 - Human Relations 63 87% 77.25%

COM 1 – Public Speaking 4525 84% 69%

*Data based on PPA data provided by Institutional Research Office

COMPLETERS

Completion of BUS Degrees

Award Type 2017 - 2018 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21

BUS ADM –

AST**

102 83 92 88

** Data pulled from FLEX-IT report

The First Line Supervisor Certificate is designed for students who are beginning their work

careers, or those who wish to advance in their current positions, and who have as a personal

goal that they will become direct supervisors. It is intended to provide the necessary soft

skills required by employers to ensure that they have a well-trained supervisory staff who can

function in the dynamic, multi-cultural, global work environment of the 21 st century. It

assumes that students are either currently employed and wish to advance their careers, or that

they are currently enrolled in a program leading to a specific business-related certificate or

degree. The certificate program will focus on three areas of primary importance to effective

personnel supervision: communication skills, contemporary human resource practices, and a

working understanding of the modern business environment and the role of supervisory

personnel within a work organization.

Program Narrative for First Line Supervisor

1. Program Goal

The First Line Supervisor Certificate is designed for students who are beginning their work careers, or those who wish to advance in their current positions, and who have as a personal goal that they will become direct supervisors. It is intended to provide the necessary soft skills required by employers to ensure that they have a well-trained supervisory staff who can function in the dynamic, multi-cultural, global work environment of the 21st century. It assumes that students are either currently employed and wish to advance their careers, or that they are currently enrolled in a program leading to a specific business-related certificate or degree. The certificate program will focus on three areas of primary importance to effective personnel supervision: communication skills, contemporary human resource practices, and a working understanding of the modern business environment and the role of supervisory personnel within a work organization.  

1. Catalog Description

This certificate prepares students with a set of soft skills recognized as crucial to performing in a supervisory role in a business setting. Specifically, improving communication skills, understanding the structure and functions of business, and knowledge of human relations in the workplace are all considered essential to the success of business today. It also develops information technology literacy, including computer applications and online research skills. 

1. Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the First Line Supervisor certificate, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and the functions of modern businesses

• Demonstrate basic oral and written business communication skills

• Apply concepts, methods, and tools of management in an ethical manner to typical business operations.

• Use technology and software applications effectively for common business operations.

• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.

1. Program MetaMajor

This certificate will be in the Agriculture, Business, and Industries MetaMajor.

1. Program Requirements 

Requirements for the First Line Supervisor Certificate Units

BUS 32 Introduction to Business 3

BUS 43 Business Information Systems & Info Literacy 4 

BUS 194 Human Relations 3

BUS 42 Electronic Spreadsheets (Excel) 3

COM 1 Public Speaking 3

Total Units 16

1. Program Map

Requirements	Course ID	Course Title	Units	Sequence (Semester)
Required	BUS 32	Introduction to Business	3	Fall		Spring
Required	BUS 43	Business Information Systems and Information Literacy	4	Fall		Spring
Required	BUS 194	Human Relations	3	Fall		Spring
Required	BUS 42	Electronic Spreadsheets (Excel)	3	Fall		Spring
Required	COM 1	Public Speaking	3	Fall		Spring
		Total Units	16

1. Master Planning – how it fits in the mission, curriculum, and master planning of the college and higher education in California

This certificate aligns with the mission statement of the college which is, “Focusing on the education and workforce development needs of communities in the Salinas Valley, Hartnell College strengthens communities by providing opportunities for students to reach career and/or academic goals (associate degrees, certificates of achievement, transfer to four-year institutions) in an environment committed to student learning, achievement and success.”

The certificate was based on a certificate created by the Bay Area California Community College consortium in 2020. The certificate addresses all four of the college’s strategic goals of:

1. Completion of Degrees and Certificates

2. Time and Units to Degree Completion

3. Transfer to Four-Year Institutions

4. Student Employment Following Training or Degree/Certificate Completion

The certificate has two distinct pathways:

1. It has a pathway that is focused on workforce and employment. It provides a combination of classes that will provide an employee with the knowledge and skills desired to move up the career ladder into beginning management. 

2. It has a pathway that is focused on transfer. Two of the courses, BUS 194 and COM 1 are required courses in the Business Office Technology Information Processing degree, which is an A.S. degree. Students will be encouraged and counseled to take the two additional classes, BUS 32 and BUS 43 if they have an interest in transferring to a four-year school. The certificate will provide them with required units that already exist in the BUS ADM AST degree. 

1. Enrollment and Completer Projections for Program and Certificate Courses

	*2017 – 2021 Enrollments	*2017 – 2021 Retention	*2017 – 2021 Success
BUS 32 - Introduction to Business	2190	82.25% avg.	62.6%
BUS 43 - Business Information Systems and Information Literacy	856	80.25%	65%
BUS 194 - Human Relations	63	87%	77.25%
COM 1 – Public Speaking	4525	84%	69%

*Data based on PPA data provided by Institutional Research Office

COMPLETERS

Completion of BUS Degrees
Award Type	2017 - 2018	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21
BUS ADM – AST**	102	83	92	88
** Data pulled from FLEX-IT report

1. Place of Program in Our Curriculum/Similar Programs

The majority of the courses in the First Line Supervision certificate already exist in the broader context of the Business Administration transfer degree and the Business Office Technology (BOT) certificates and degree. 

• BUS 32 and 43 are major required and elective courses for the BUS ADM transfer degree.

• BUS 194 and COM 1 are major required courses in the BOT Information Processing AS degree. 

• BUS 42 is required for Bookkeeping Certificate

• In addition, COM 1 is one of the Golden Four courses for transfer to CSUs. 

• The program currently has two certificates and one degree as follows:

Associate of Science – Information Processing

Certificate of Achievement – Information Processing

Certificate of Achievement - Bookkeeping

This certificate is being designed to allow pathways for students who are currently enrolled in classes leading to either the BUS AST or the BOT AS degrees. Since two of the four courses are required in either of the programs as indicated above, the student can take the additional two remaining courses and earn a certificate. For students in the BOT program, this may serve as a pathway to the BUS transfer degree. For other students it may serve as a pathway to promotion within their job.

1. Place of Program in Local Area Curriculum/Similar Programs

According to the LMI report, there are currently no local community colleges that offer a similar program. 

Requirements	Course ID	Course Title	Units	Sequence (Semester)
Required	BUS 32	Introduction to Business	3	Fall		Spring
Required	BUS 43	Business Information Systems and Information Literacy	4	Fall		Spring
Required	BUS 194	Human Relations	3	Fall		Spring
Required	BUS 42	Electronic Spreadsheets (Excel)	3	Fall		Spring
Required	COM 1	Public Speaking	3	Fall		Spring
		Total Units	16

n/a

Annabelle Rodriguez - Cabrillo College CTE Dean Andy Stone - WIB for Santa Cruz County Chris Donnelly - WIB Monterey County Enrique Arreola - WIB San Benetto County Susan Sweeney - CTE dean @ Gavilan All supported the program and had no objections