Certificates
UH West Oʻahu’s 16 unique certificates offer students a solid foundation in business objectives and processes and prepares students with management roles in business environments. Students are provided with an understanding of the perspectives that form the context of business, including ethical and global issues; the influence of political, social, legal, regulatory, environmental, and technological issues; and the impact of demographic diversity on organizations.
The certificate in Applied Forensic Anthropology (AFAN) will give students a solid foundation in forensic anthropology and a good introduction to the wider field of forensic science. This certificate may be earned alone or in conjunction with a Bachelor’s degree. Degrees that are especially relevant are a Bachelor of Arts in the Social Sciences with a concentration in Anthropology or a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration with a concentration in Justice Administration. When combined with relevant degrees, the certificate in AFAN will make students more competitive for a variety of job opportunities and advanced education in forensic anthropology, the wider field of forensic science, and other related fields.
This program is a collaboration between Leeward Community College and the UH West O‘ahu. A total of 29-30 credits are required. Students are welcomed and encouraged to enroll concurrently in classes at both campuses.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Ariel Gruenthal-Rankin
Assistant Professor
(808) 689-2368
arielgr@hawaii.edu
The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu offers students the opportunity to study the cultures of Asia in an interdisciplinary program leading to an Academic Subject Certificate in Asian Studies. This academic credential is included on student transcripts and can be the first step toward employment in a variety of professional and academic fields related directly, or indirectly, to Asia.
The term “Asia” is of Western origin, but for the purposes of this certificate, refers geographically to the Far East (China, Japan, and Korea), Southeast Asia, and South Asia (India, Pakistan, and Bangaldesh). Although the term is vague, the economic and cultural influence of Asia is real. Due to the increasingly global environment of business, persons with an understanding of Asian cultures are in demand. Asia is home to nearly 60 percent of global GDP, some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, half the world’s population, and an expanding middle class, and so offers great opportunities for U.S. firms and workers. This certificate will be useful to students who work in Hawaiʻi after graduation, given the prominence of international visitors in the tourism industry. In 2016, about one in six visitors to Hawai‘i came from Japan (almost 1.5 million), while there were roughly 250,000 South Korean visitors and 170,000 Chinese visitors (the highest spending of all visitors to Hawai‘i.)
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Jayson Chun
Professor
(808) 689-2350
jmchun@hawaii.edu
The Certificate in Digital Marketing provides students and marketing professionals with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the dynamic field of digital marketing. The certificate curriculum covers key areas including digital advertising strategies, email and mobile marketing, social media management, web analytics, and digital campaign creation and implementation. Upon completion of the certificate, students will have a strong understanding of current digital marketing platforms, tools, and techniques. With this certificate, graduates will be prepared to create and manage successful digital marketing campaigns and establish an effective online presence for brands and organizations.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Eli Tsukayama
Associate Professor
(808) 689-2395
etsukaya@hawaii.edu
Sharla Hanaoka
Program Director
(808) 689-2392
shanaoka@hawaii.edu
The certificate in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (DPEM) provides students and practitioners in the field of disaster preparedness and emergency management with a broad range of administrative skills and knowledge required in the growing and challenging areas of disaster preparedness, emergency management, and homeland security. The certificate can be earned as a self-standing credential and may also be used as a part of a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. The Bachelor’s degree includes on-campus classes. Courses for the bachelor’s degree and certificate are offered through in-class and distance learning instruction.
All courses meet national standards as established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Higher Education Project.
The certificate program is the only undergraduate, stand-alone DPEM certificate program in the State of Hawai’i. Many of non-traditional students pursuing the certificate are already employed by various government agencies tasked with disaster preparedness and emergency management, and as a result of their studies, these students gain the skills and knowledge to enhance job performance and career advancement. These individuals have work experience, but may not have a college degree. The DPEM certificate gives them the credentials they need for increased employability. In addition, the employers of many graduates recognize the certificate as a criterion for employee advancement. Traditionally, students choose to add the DPEM certificate as a way to increase their employability. This is especially the case for degree students majoring in Justice Administration, Health Care Administration, Business Administration, and the Social Sciences.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Ross Prizzia
Professor
(808) 689-2365
rprizzia@hawaii.edu
Dr. Jason Levy
Professor
(808) 689-2492
jlevy@hawaii.edu
A Gender Studies certificate emphasizes progressive and transformative possibilities in our world, while also recognizing how gender interacts with systems of inequality. The Gender Studies certificate is designed for all undergraduates to acquire a focused background in contemporary transdisciplinary scholarship in feminist and gender studies. Whatever a student’s concentration is, they can benefit from studying social and cultural achievements of women and applying contributions from feminist theory to the world around them. The certificate’s practical value is the enhancement of students’ abilities to think critically and constructively about the society and communities they are a part of with a focus on gender. The proposed certificate’s curriculum includes appropriate interdisciplinary courses. It will consist of 15 upper division credits including those in English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration and Sociology. Further, it offers a credential that is applicable to a wide range of careers including medicine, nursing, law, business, education, counseling, and social work. The certificate will also provide the theoretical groundwork for advanced feminist and gender studies at the graduate level.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Monique Mironesco
Professor
(808) 689-2391
mironesc@hawaii.edu
The certificate in Hawaiian & Indigenous Health & Healing strives to create an opportunity for non-traditional students and current healthcare professionals to add knowledge and value to their existing professional credentials. The certificate will also function as a pathway for the dissemination of traditional healing knowledge and skill that will serve as a model for other indigenous groups.
Training will consist of theoretical courses that focus on epidemiology and health disparities and practical courses in the Native Hawaiian traditional healing practices (ho’oponopno or conflict resolution, lomi lomi or massage, and lāʻau lapaʻau or herbal medicines).
An overarching goal is to work towards eliminating health disparities in Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other underserved communities by creating a collaboration between Traditional and Western Medicine. As a student-centered certificate, Hawaiian & Indigenous Health & Healing seeks to promote the integration of underserved and underrepresented students into an academic and cultural milieu that supports educational achievement and economic success.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Kau‘i Baumhofer Merritt
Associate Professor
(808) 689-2385
nicolekb@hawaii.edu
The Hawaiian Language certificate focuses on building language proficiency and is awarded upon completion of the 400-level Hawaiian Language courses (HAW 401 and 402). Required coursework consists of two years (15 credits) of upper-division Hawaiian Language courses and an advanced Hawaiian Language conversational course, with prerequisite elementary and intermediate courses (100- and 200-level), or demonstrated proficiency. Required courses build proficiency in Hawaiian Language and cultural knowledge, establishing a cultural base and language identity in which students can center and ground themselves in a Hawaiian worldview, to better relate to other languages and cultures around the world. Certificate students are encouraged to apply Hawaiian Language and Cultural knowledge in all aspects of daily life at home or throughout the workforce. This program is offered in distance learning and in-person modes of instruction.
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM SHEET
Scott Kaua Neumann
Acting Assistant Professor
(808) 689-2353
sneumann@hawaii.edu
The certificate program in Hawaiian-Pacific Studies provides students of all majors with basic, introductory information on Native Hawaiian and/or Pacific Islander culture. Certificate students learn specific aspects of Native Hawaiian and/or Pacific Island peoples (such as history, geography, politics, arts, music, literature, contemporary issues and cultural practices) to deepen their cultural understanding and to enrich and enhance their educational experience. Moreover, students learn of indigenous approaches and worldviews that enhance student cultural competencies and their abilities to bring alternative viewpoints to problem-solving in their chosen fields. This program is offered in distance learning and in-person modes of instruction.
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM SHEET
Dr. Saʻili Lilomaiava-Doktor
Professor
(808) 689-2355
sailiema@hawaii.edu
Dr. Kalikolani Correa
Assistant Professor
(808) 689-2485
mlcorrea@hawaii.edu
The certificate in Health Care Administration provides students and health care practitioners with a broad range of administrative skills and knowledge needed in the dynamic and growing health care field. For those who are already employed in the health care field, this certificate enhances their qualifications and skills for more effective job performance and greater career mobility. The certificate may also be used as part of a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu or for students who are majoring in other fields. The certificate is the only upper division, stand-alone, Board of Regents approved degree in the State of Hawaiʻi that addresses the growing workforce demand for more certified health care professionals. This program is offered through in-class and distance learning instruction.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Kristina Lu
Professor
Director of Health Care Administration Program
(808) 689-2361
kguo@hawaii.edu
The 15-credit Labor Studies certificate program empowers students with the knowledge to improve their working lives and equips them with the skills necessary for labor resource specialists. Hawai’i is one of the most unionized states in the United States, and organized labor has played a central role for democracy and equality in Hawai’i. Our courses equip students to think critically about the relationship between work and quality of life, and provide students with the opportunity to view race, culture, gender, economics, political science, media, history, and the future of work from a labor perspective. Courses address workers’ rights, labor laws, collective bargaining, and labor theories. As an interdisciplinary field, Labor Studies prepares students for graduate school in law, work in unions, labor resources, public service, or social sciences fields. Labor Studies includes an international focus which helps students gain a critical understanding of the broader global economy as it impacts working people.
Note: This certificate will be offered via distance delivery only.
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM SHEET
Leslie Lopez, PhD
Specialist
(808) 689-2764
lalopez@hawaii.edu
The certificate in Long-Term Care provides students and health care practitioners with a broad range of administrative skills and knowledge needed to work in the growing field of long-term care. For those who are already employed in the health care field, including long-term care, this certificate enhances their qualifications and skills for more effective job performance and greater career mobility. The certificate may also be used as part of a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu or for students who are majoring in other fields.
Note: This certificate will be offered via distance delivery only.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Lisa Spencer
Associate Professor
PUBA, Long-Term Care
(808) 689-2483
lisaspen@hawaii.edu
The certificate in Music provides UH West O‘ahu students with an opportunity to improve skills and gain knowledge in four areas of music: music performance; music theory and music writing; music technology; and music history and literature. Students will benefit from a diverse set of experiences designed to enhance musicianship in traditional and contemporary music ensembles, encourage music creativity, and foster a better understanding of music’s role in our world. Students desiring life-long participation in community ensembles will find the Certificate in Music useful as a bridge to post-college music-making. Graduates of the Certificate in Music will also be better prepared to incorporate music into their career pursuits. Elementary educators, for instance, incorporate music into their classroom teaching; Business/Marketing graduates use their knowledge of music literature to support an effective advertising campaign; and Creative Media majors use their practical skills in the recording studio to reinforce the impact of a film or documentary.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Jon Magnussen
Professor
(808) 689-2357
jonmagnu@hawaii.edu
Website: westoahu.hawaii.edu/music
A certificate in risk management and insurance provides training in risk management for personal and commercial lines of insurance, and prepare students for the CPCU examinations and other professional certifications. Courses cover personal property and liability insurance, life and health insurance, retirement planning, business law, loss prevention, risk retention, self insurance, and risk financing techniques. Students completing the certificate in risk management and insurance will be better prepared to obtain an insurance license and pass the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) examination and course of study. UH West O‘ahu worked in partnership with Hawai‘i’s insurance industry to create this Risk Management and Insurance certificate specifically to address the growing need for skilled insurance professionals locally and nationwide. The program is presently offered at UH West O‘ahu both in person and online.
Conferral of a Certificate in Risk Management and Insurance does not result in professional licensure. The State Insurance Commissioner requires candidates to pass an examination that measures the applicant’s qualifications and competence. For more information on the various types of licensure examinations, please consult the Hawai‘i Insurance Candidate Licensing Handbook.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Edward Keaunui
Instructor
(808) 689-2393
ekeaunui@hawaii.edu
The certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Studies (SAAS) is primarily an online, internet-based program designed to help students meet the State education requirements for certification as substance abuse counselors and to provide continuing education opportunities for professionals in the addictions field. All courses are offered as internet courses. Although not required for certification, students are strongly encouraged to concurrently complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences with a concentration in Psychology.
Conferral of a certificate in Substance Abuse and Addiction Studies (SAAS) does not result in professional licensure. For State licensure, the Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division requires that candidates who hold a BA degree and SAAS certificate complete 4000 hours of supervised substance abuse counseling work and pass an examination that evaluates the applicant’s qualifications and competence. For more information on becoming a Hawaii State Certified Substance Abuse Counselor please contact the Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division at (808) 692-7506.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Kanoa Meriwether
Instructor, Social Sciences
808-689-2300
kanoa@hawaii.edu
Global society is at a critical crossroads. Biodiversity loss, climate destabilization, food insecurity, social inequity and resources scarcity collectively pose an existential threat to human welfare and social stability. Recognizing these global challenges, international and regional institutions have responded in identifying strategic goals and programming to begin the transition to a more sustainable society. This certificate focuses on the analysis of key ecological and social issues in sustainability from the regional to the global scale.
The Sustainability Issues certificate at UH West Oʻahu will develop students with the following key competencies: systems thinking; ability to work in diverse communities; work across disciplines; ethical decision-making; innovation; leadership and management skills. Through a holistic study of sustainability, the Sustainability Issues certificate aims to develop highly skilled and civic-minded graduates prepared to advance the green economy through new businesses and social enterprises, their chosen career path and preparing students for graduate-level training in disciplines such as Education, Hawaiian Studies, Anthropology, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Political Science or Urban and Regional Planning.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Monique Mironesco
Professor
(808) 689-2391
mironesc@hawaii.edu
Dr. Albie Miles
Associate Professor
(808) 689-2376
albie@hawaii.edu
Social Science Health and Medicine
The 18-credit certificate program in Social Science Health and Medicine fosters a transdisciplinary perspective on health and medicine where students learn from a broad range of disciplines how to gather, analyze and interpret data using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies techniques and together with social science health related theories, apply them to complex health questions at the individual and community level. The study of research design, data analysis, statistics and theory in the context of health helps strengthen the critical thinking skills vital for complex decision-making in health.
The acquisition of these skills place students in a competitive position in a labor market that requires not only the mastery of specific skill sets, but also the flexibility to respond to changing jobs and job requirements. The certificate enhances students’ primary degree by preparing them for graduate-level social science research on health and medicine related topics as well as students interested in applying for medical school with their MCAT exam or pursue careers in public health, nursing, health policy, health related non-profit organizations, substance abuse/mental health and allied health care services in Hawaiʻi or the wider Pacific.
This certificate can only be declared by Sophomore or higher-level standing students admitted to the program with a 3.0 GPA average. Students must maintain this GPA in all approved certificate health and medicine-related courses.
Note: This certificate will be offered via distance delivery only.
Learning Outcomes and Program Sheet
Dr. Orlando García-Santiago
Professor
(808) 689-2380
garciao@hawaiil.edu
Dr. Christina Mello
Associate Professor
(808) 689-2494
melloc@hawaii.edu