Daria Davis

Hello! My name is Daria Davis, and I am the Administrative Secretary to Dr. Al Taccone, the Dean of Career & Technical Education (also known as vocational education) here at MiraCosta College. I have been working in my current position since November 2003.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs allow students the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in all aspects of a particular occupation or trade. Certificates can be earned in a variety of programs by completing all course requirements in a specific area.

MiraCosta College offer two types of certificates: Certificates of Proficiency, which are short-term certificates that typically require fewer than 18 units of coursework; and Certificates of Achievement, which require 18 or more units of instruction. A Certificate of Proficiency is a good choice for those students who wish to test a potential career area, who want to be competitive for entry-level jobs in one part of an industry, or who prefer to enter the industry and pursue further education in that particular field after they start working. In some cases, the courses completed for these certificates may also be applied toward the next step; the Certificate of Achievement.

Certificates of Achievement are designed to prepare students for employment in specific career areas. The total units required for a Certificate of Achievement vary, but the minimum, however, is 18 units of instruction. In some cases, these certificates may be used to satisfy the requirements for an Associate in Arts degree in an area of specialization. Interested students should review the degree requirements and supplement certificate courses with appropriate general education courses. In some areas, students earning degrees can transfer to upper-division at 4-year institutions. Further information about transfer possibilities can be obtained at MiraCosta's University Transfer Center.

Following are links to some of the vocational programs offered here at the college: