Department Coordinator - Mary Sessom, J.D.

Associate Degree and Certificate Programs

	Accounting
	Business Administration
	Business Data Management
	Business Office Technology
	Entrepreneurship
	Management
	Paralegal Studies
	Real Estate
Disciplines highlighted in red have their own program website. They can be accessed from the discipline's section on this page, left navigation bar, or directly from the college's Academic Departments page.

Department Programs

The Business and Professional Studies Department of Cuyamaca College offers a variety of programs designed to prepare you for a career in the various arenas of business, the paralegal environment, or real estate. Each of these programs offers you an Associate Degree and/or Certificates of Achievement or Proficiency. Some of the programs offer you courses which transfer to San Diego State University and other four-year colleges and universities to fulfill part of their course requirements for bachelors degrees.

You will receive a quality education through Cuyamaca College business and professional studies programs. Besides having academic preparation and many years of teaching experience, many of our instructors bring the experience of successful business and professional careers to the classroom. Most of the classes are smaller in size (25 to 40 students) than those of many large universities. Smaller class sizes mean more interaction with instructors and the other students.

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Accounting
Faculty Contact: Christopher O'byrne
Program Website: Accounting

Accounting
Associate in Science Degree (Major Code 50020)
The Associate Degree program with a major in accounting is designed to prepare students to enter the employment field as accounting technicians or as tax technicians. The accounting curriculum is supported by related business courses and a strong general education program for men and women interested in qualifying for responsible positions in accounting. This program is designed for a two-year degree or certificate only. Students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting should consult the catalog of the transfer institution for specific requirements.

Certificate of Achievement
Students who complete only the major requirements of the Associates Degree program qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Accounting.

Bookkeeping Certificate (Major Code 50024)
Students who complete specified requirements to train for a full-charge bookkeeper can qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Bookkeeping.

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Business Administration
Faculty Contact: Mary Sessom

Business Administration
Associate in Science Degree (Major Code 50041)
The Business Administration curriculum is designed to give students who choose to work towards a bachelor's degree a well-balanced introduction to a professional career in business. This program fulfills the lower division requirements for most majors in the School of Business Administration at San Diego State University and is typical of requirements at other four-year schools.

Certificate of Achievement
Students who complete only the major requirements of the Associates Degree program qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Business Administration.

Our Business and Professional Studies Department offers six courses in this program that transfer to San Diego State University to fulfill 20 units of the 31 unit requirement for lower division courses in the Business Administration Major:

Business-General
Associate in Science Degree (Major Code 50010)
This degree program is designed to develop and foster those skills which can be utilized for employment in an increasingly challenging business environment. The course work provides the student with a broad range of topics in preparation for a career in the business world. This program is designed for students who do not plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.

Certificate of Achievement
Students who complete only the major requirements of the Associates Degree program qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Business-General.

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Business Data Management

Business Data Management
Associate in Science Degree (Major Code: 50016) 

This program prepares students for careers in business using information technology to organize and promote advanced business management policies. Students can also complete classes in preparation for the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator exams.

Certificate of Achievement

Students who complete only the major requirements above qualify for a Certificate in Business Data Management. An official request must be filed with the Admissions and Records Office prior to the deadline as stated in the Academic Calendar.

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Business Office Technology
Faculty Contact: Pat Newman
Program Website: Business Office Technology

Business Office Technology
Associate Degree in Science (Major Code 59501)
The Business Office Technology curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment and advancement in today's business offices which are technology intensive. The curriculum is also appropriate for those wishing to update current skills. The emphasis of the program is on the computerized office and development of the office worker into supervisory positions.

Certificate of Achievement
Students who complete only the major requirements of the Associates Degree program qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Business Office Technology.

Within the Business Office Technology program are additional specialties. These include:

Degree Program and Certificate of Achievement
Administrative Assistant (Major Code 50149)
Executive Assistant (Major Code 50150)
 

Certificate of Proficiency
Office Assistant Level I (Major Code 57105)
Office Assistant Level II (Major Code 57106)
Office Professional (Major Code 57104)

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Entrepreneurship
Faculty Contact: Joe D'Amato

Entrepreneurship
Associate in Science Degree (Major Code 50047)
The Entrepreneurship curriculum is designed to provide a course of study for the student who is interested in working toward an Associate Degree or Certificate while developing an appreciation and understanding of the functional areas within the small business environment. As outlined, the Entrepreneurship program provides a working knowledge of small business operations to both the prospective business person as well as the owner/manager of an existing business. This program is co-sponsored by the Small Business Administration.

Certificate of Achievement
Students who complete only the major requirements of the Associates Degree program qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Entrepreneurship.

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Management
Faculty Contact: Mary Sessom

(Major Code 53047)
The Management degree program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to be successful as a manager in today's demanding organizational climate. The curriculum is beneficial to men or women who aspire to a mid-level or higher management position in any type of organization including business, government and service organizations.

Certificate of Achievement
Students who complete only the major requirements of the Associates Degree program qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Management.

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Paralegal Studies
Faculty Contact: Mary Sessom
Program Website: Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies
Associate in Science Degree (Major Code 50043)
The legal profession has evolved, like the medical profession, into a profession of specialties. Based on this recent development, lawyers need qualified assistants to better help them provide legal services to their clients. Paralegals are trained, professional technicians able to provide this needed legal assistance.

The Paralegal Studies degree program is approved by the American Bar Association. It is specifically designed to prepare and provide students with the analytical skills and written abilities necessary to assist attorneys in the practice of law. The technical curriculum goals and objectives emphasize three primary areas:

1. Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing
2. Ethics and the Mechanics of Law
3. Cooperative Work Experience

The large curriculum allows practicing paralegals to attend college refresher or new skills development courses. The program does not prepare students for law school or the practice of law.

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Real Estate
Faculty Contact: Lowell Knapp
Program Website: Real Estate

Real Estate
Associate in Science Degree (Major Code 50043)
The programs leading to either an Associate Degree in Real Estate or a Certificate in Real Estate are designed to prepare students for employment in Real Estate or related fields. The Real Estate program will also fill the educational requirements for the California Real Estate Broker's License and will help prepare both the salesperson and the broker for the state examination.

Certificate of Achievement
Students who complete only the major requirements of the Associates Degree program qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Real Estate.

Broker's License
Students may satisfy the California State Education requirement for a Broker's License by completing a series of specified courses.

Escrow Certificate (Major Code 50045)
Students who complete specified requirements can qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Escrow.

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