Meet with a CSM counselor to discuss how to achieve academic goals and to develop a comprehensive student educational plan (SEP).

University Transfer Program
60–70 transferable units

California State University
University of California
Independent Colleges and Universities

Program Overview

The Critical Pacific Islands & Oceania Studies Certificate of Achievement is an 18-20 unit certificate that introduces students to a critical analysis of Pacific peoples and cultures in the U.S. diaspora and beyond. Privileging the voices of native Pacific Islanders, the interdisciplinary curriculum explores historical and contemporary topics such as colonization, militarization, social movements, and immigration, through the use of academic and community-based scholarship. All required courses are University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU)-transferable and meet College of San Mateo General Education (GE) area requirements. Although the certificate is ideal for those whose careers involve working with native Pacific Islanders and other communities of color such as service providers, health practitioners, law enforcement, researchers, teachers, and other professionals, the primary goal is to encourage students to further their educational aspirations through the completion of an associate's degree and successful transfer to a four-year university.

Program Requirements

Requirements
Required Core Courses: 15-16 units Units
COMM 110 Public Speaking 3 units
ETHN 104 Asian Pacific Islanders in United States History and Culture 3 units
ETHN 106 Oceania & the Arts 3 units
FILM 100 Introduction to Film 3 units
OR
FILM 140 Contemporary World Cinema 4 units
LCTR 240 College and Academic Success 3 units
Required Selective Courses: Science Option: select one course 3-4 units Units
ANTH 125 * Physical Anthropology 3 units
ASTR 100 ** Introduction to Astronomy 3 units
ASTR 115 ** The Solar System 3 units
ASTR 125 ** Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology 3 units
BIOL 100 Introduction to the Life Sciences 3 units
BIOL 110 General Principles of Biology 4 units
GEOG 100 Physical Geography 3 units
GEOL 100 Survey of Geology 3 units
OCEN 100 Oceanography 3 units
* Students who take ANTH 125 should also consider ANTH 127 Physical Anthropology Laboratory
** Students who take ASTR 100, 115, or 125 should also consider ASTR 101 Astronomy Laboratory
Total Required Units: 18 - 20