Degrees & Certificates

Many students at Columbia College are preparing for careers in Nursing or other allied health fields such as Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene and Radiologic Technology. Columbia College does not offer any of these programs, but it does offer the required prerequisite courses. Within the Yosemite Community College District, Modesto Junior College offers an Associate Degree for Nursing satellite program that operates on the Columbia College campus and within hospital facilities in Sonora. Modesto Junior College also offers an Associate Degree in Respiratory Care as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Care.

The goal of the Nutrition and Dietetics Associate in Science for Transfer program is to prepare students for transfer to a California State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and/or Dietetics. The program is intended and designed to make the transfer of Columbia College students to CSU as seamless as possible. The major requirements of this degree align with the Transfer Model Curriculum. It is the most efficient pathway for students desiring to transfer to CSU in a similar major in a timely manner. Students should consult with a counselor to determine whether this degree is the best option for their transfer goals. The Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer degree (AS-T in Nutrition and Dietetics) prepares students for success in a baccalaureate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics with the lower-division coursework required to transfer into the CSU system. Students learn about chemicals and nutrients in food and their effects on the human body and the world. The study of nutritional science contributes to preparing students for careers as nutritionists, registered dietitians (RD), food scientists, or other dietetics professionals. The study of Nutrition provides students exposure to topics in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, human biology, and general biology.

Students completing the certificate will learn critical skills needed in the business environment.

The Patient Access Representative Skills Attainment Certificate enables an individual to perform front office duties in a medical setting including, but not limited to, entering patient information into databases and maintaining accurate records, relaying information to relevant staff members, informing patients and their caregivers of hospital procedures, policies, and protocols, providing patients with billing and payment information, dealing with patient questions, concerns, and issues, and performing general administrative tasks.

Designed to provide entry level skills as a Payroll Clerk, Bookkeeper, or Front Office Clerk.

The goal of the Physics Associate in Arts for Transfer program is to prepare students for transfer to a California State University (CSU) to pursue a BA or BS in a similar major such as Physics and Physics Education. The program is intended and designed to make the transfer of Columbia College students to the CSU as seamless a possible.

The goal of the Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer program is to prepare students for transfer to a California State University to pursue a B.A. or B.S. in Political Science. The program is intended and designed to make the transfer of Columbia College students to CSU as seamless as possible. The major requirements of this degree align with the Transfer Model Curriculum. It is the most efficient pathway for students wishing to transfer to CSU in a similar major in a timely manner. Students should consult with a counselor to determine if this degree is the best option for their transfer goals.

The goal of the Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer program is to prepare students for transfer to a California State University to pursue a B.A. in Psychology. The program is intended and designed to make the transfer of Columbia College students to CSU as seamless as possible. The major requirements of this degree align with the Transfer Model Curriculum. It is the most efficient pathway for students wishing to transfer to CSU in a similar major in a timely manner. Students should consult with a counselor to determine whether this degree is the best option for their transfer goals.

The goal of the AS-T Public Health Science degree program is to prepare students for transfer to the California State University (CSU) to pursue a BA or BS in a similar major such as Health Science or Health Education. The program is intended and designed to make the transfer of Columbia College students to the CSU as seamless as possible. The requirements of this degree align with the Transfer Model Curriculum. It is the most efficient pathway for students desiring to transfer to CSU in a similar major in a timely manner. Students should consult with a counselor to determine whether this degree is the best option for their transfer goals. The Public Health Science Associate Degree for Transfer program trains students in multidisciplinary approaches to public health practice and research, which is essential to recognizing and addressing public health issues at the state, national and global levels.

Completing the coursework required for this certificate will train students for positions in river management and patrol, such that exist on many rivers and jurisdictions such as the Forest Service, Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management, locally, in the western United States, and around the world.

The Associate in Arts Degree is designed for students who wish to have a broad knowledge of behavioral and social sciences. The curriculum allows students to develop an appreciation of the experiences and values that have shaped and enriched our culture, and may also be used to meet a majority of the courses required for transfer to CSU/UC system. (NOTE: Where appropriate courses may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements for the AA or AS degree.)

The goal of the Associate in Arts in Social Work and Human Services for Transfer program is to prepare students for transfer to a California State University to pursue a B.A. in Social Work or a B.A. in Human Services. The program is intended and designed to make the transfer of Columbia College students to CSU as seamless as possible.

The Social Work and Human Services Certificate of Achievement prepares students for basic entry level positions in social work and other human services agencies. The Certificate of Achievement provides a broad array of entry-level knowledge and skill building needed to effectively work in social services delivery systems.

The goal of the Sociology Associate in Arts for Transfer program is to prepare students for transfer to a California State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology or a similar major. The program is intended and designed to make the transfer of Columbia College students to CSU as seamless as possible.

The purpose of the Sport Science major is to provide a general program of study that focuses on the principles of physical education, fitness and sport. This program will also develop the student's understanding of the sociological impact of sport in society, as well as provide an introduction to sport psychology, basic first-aid, injury prevention and treatment, and organization of physical education, fitness, and athletics programs.

Students who successfully complete the certificate coursework will possess entry-level skills to service, diagnose, and repair steering and suspension, braking, and manual transmission/drive train systems.

The Associate in Science Degree in Watershed Management prepares recipients for immediate employment in the field of Watershed Management.

The Certificate of Achievement in Watershed Management helps prepare recipients for immediate employment in entry level positions in the field of Watershed Management.

The Welding Technology Certificate of Achievement is aligned with the American Welding Society and primarily focuses on Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Flux Core Arc Welding, Oxy-Fuel Welding, and various fabrication techniques. The courses within the welding program expose students to both laboratory and lecture learning opportunities.