Golden West kicks off another year

Mike Sciacca

Students are back in the water and swimming at Golden West

College. Classes for the 2002-03 school year at the school began last

week.

Golden West offers associates degrees and certificates in various

subjects. Although there are no new degrees being offered this year,

there are several new programs available this fall.

New courses are being offered through the Business and Information

Systems Division for students interested in learning advanced

computer skills.

The course will provide the fundamentals to convert existing

documents to an interactive, multi-platform portable document format

file that can be distributed electronically.

“The Business and Information Systems Division is continually

developing new programs to respond to the need for trained,

entry-level and experienced professionals, in various businesses and

industries,” said Charlanne Nee, dean of Business and Information

Systems.

Golden West’s “Weekend Express” classes have been designed for

students wishing to accelerate and optimize their time in earning a

degree or certificate.

Weekend Express courses are being offered in five-week blocks on

Friday evenings and Saturdays. The courses began Aug. 30 and end on

Dec. 14.

Five new programs also offered through the college include the

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer through the Computers program,

the 15-hour SAT Prep Seminar through the College For Kids and Teens

program, First Time Home Buyer through the Finance program,

Anger-Control/Parenting Training through the Personal Development

program and The Language of Environment through the Holistic Health

program.

Golden West is offering a new certificate program in Managerial

and Organizational Leadership and in becoming an Enrolled Agent Tax

Specialist.

The 17-unit, Managerial and Organizational Leadership certificate

program provides key managerial techniques and team development

styles in an effort to promote positive work environments.

The Enrolled Agent Tax Specialist program is a course that covers

accounting, business law and taxation, and also is a 17-unit

certificate program.

Exam preparation courses for office professionals to become a

Certified Professional Secretary are currently being offered at

Golden West. The fall Certified Professional Secretary Courses

include Office Technology, Economics and Management and Business Law.

Office Administration and Communications, Accounting and

Behavioral Science in Business will be offered by the school in

spring 2003.

Classes at Golden West College are $11 per unit, the lowest

enrollment fee of any college system in California. The college

offers more than $10 million in financial aid each year.

Last year, 41,000 students enrolled in degree programs and

technical training courses on campus.