Adult Education

(818) 712-2686
Office: Alder 1016

Whether your goal is to prepare for a career or to build your skills, Los Angeles Pierce College Adult Education Department will guide you towards your goal. Our free non-credit programs are designed as convenient learning opportunities for the community.

We offer career training programs, non-credit English as a Second Language courses and GED preparation. All at no cost to the student! 

Want more information? Please call our office at (818)712-2686, email us at adultedinfo@piercecollege.edu or visit our office at Alder 1016. 

To see what is currently offered, please click on our Class Schedule button below.

Class Schedule

Registration Steps

Please follow these steps to register for a non-credit course. If you are having any trouble, have questions or want assistance, please visit our office at Alder 1016, call (818)712-2686 or email adultedinfo@piercecollege.edu. 

  • STEP 1: APPLICATION
    Go to LAPC's application website and submit a Non-credit Application. Within 2-3 business days, you will receive a welcome letter to your personal email with your Student ID number. *If you do not receive an email message with your Student ID, check the spam or junk folder for the LACCD Admission's email notification. 

    Current LACCD students: you do not need to reapply and can just register for non-credit courses in your student portal. 
     

  • STEP 2: INFORMATION SESSION (ORIENTATION)
    Attend one of the information session for your orientation. Information sessions will be held through Zoom. Click on the button for dates and links during that semester.

 Fall 2024

  • STEP 3: COUNSELING APPOINTMENT
    Make a counseling appointment with an Adult Education Counselor to discuss what program or courses you are interested in, and the counselor will build you a Student Education Plan so you know what courses to take. Click here to make a counseling appointment. Appointments are available in-person only. 
     

  • STEP 4: REGISTER FOR CLASSES
    You will register for classes in your student portal. Please review the step-by-step directions on how to register for classes. 

English as a Second Language

Our department offers FREE non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and certificate programs. ESL non-credit classes are foundational courses to help students learn the English Language and prepares students to transition to credit ESL courses.

Click on the title of the program below to get more information about the English as a Second Language (ESL) non-credit certificates and additional ESL courses we offer.

Entering English as a Second Language (Low-Beginning)

This certificate is designed to introduce basic literacy and study skills to students who speak and understand at least one other language, but they do not read and write in any language fluently or accurately. This certificate is an entrance point to enhance job opportunities and academic success. Students will practice writing the alphabet, making words and sentences, and expressing themselves in simple English. The Study Skills course complements the ESL instruction and provides additional resources to help students practice meaningful study habits. A CASAS ESL placement test is required to determine the entrance ESL level. 

Required Courses:

  • BSICSKL 027CE- Foundations: Study Skills (18 hours)
  • ESL NC 006CE- English as a Second Language 0 (216hours)

Beginning ESL (Mid-Beginning)

This certificate program is designed for non-native English-speaking students who want to effectively read, write, listen to, and speak the English language. Students will go from survival communication skills to functional competency as an English-speaking work and school environment. It will also help students transition to the college credit ESL program. The two ESL courses have integrated instruction and prepare students for reading, listening, and writing at a mid-beginning level. A CASAS ESL placement test is required to determine the entrance ESL level. 

Required Courses:

  • ESL NC 007CE- English as a Second Language- I (216 hours)
  • ESL NC 008CE- English as a Second Language- II (216 hours)

Developing English as a Second Language (High-Beginning)

This certificate provides beginning ESL learners with foundation skils to develop basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to communicate in familiar situations they encounter at work, school, and in the community. it prepares students to progress on a career path of their choice and/or to undertake degree-applicable or non-degree applicable credit courses. 

Required Courses:

  • ESL NC 009CE- English as Second Language III (216 hours)
  • ESL NC 015CE- English as a Second Language IV (216 hours)

This certificate program is designed for non-native English-speaking students who want to read, write, listen, and speak in English at the intermediate level. These skills provide academic, vocational, career, and life-skills pathways towards college credit classes to obtain a credit certificate or degree, and/or jobs that require high-level English communication skills. A CASAS ESL placement test is required to determine the entrance ESL level. 

Required Courses:

  • ESL NC 016CE- English as Second Language V (216 hours)
  • ESL NC 017CE- English as a Second Language VI (216 hours)

Conversation English as a Second Language

This is NOT a certificate program, but we do offer conversation English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to supplement our other ESL courses. 

Available Courses:

  • ESL NC 050CE- Beginning Conversation- This course is best suited for ESL students at the beginning level who wish to improve their listening comprehension of English and to increase their ability to make themselves understood, using conversational American English speech. Students will be introduced to vocabulary and life skills needed to function in daily life and work situations. Activities ranging from dialogues, pair and group work, and role plays will be used to develop fluency and help students achieve the language skills needed to succeed in real life and occupational settings.
  • ESL NC 051CE- Intermediate Conversation- This course is best suited for ESL students at the intermediate level who wish to improve their listening comprehension, speaking, and conversational skills in American English in everyday life and the workplace. This course focuses on developing conversational strategies, including verbal and nonverbal communication, and appropriate language usage in everyday life and occupational settings.

 

Career Training Programs

Our department offers a variety of FREE career training programs to our students. These programs will help you build skills and prepare you for the workforce. 

Click on the title of the program below to get more information about the program and the course requirements. 

Career Exploration: Biotechnology Careers

Learn skills and common career pathways in the biotechnology and related industries. Explore your interests and aptitudes in the field. Students will also be exposed to fundamental biotechnology skills and perform basic laboratory tasks.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 660CE- Exploring Biotech Careers (27 hours)
  • BSICSKL 027CE- Foundation of Study Skills (27 hours)

Bookkeeper

Students will be prepared for the AIPB Certified Bookkeeper exam. Bookkeepers are identified as a middle-skill occupation. They compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 560CE- Fundamentals of Bookkeeping (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 096CE- Blueprint for Workplace Success (45 hours)

Community Health Worker

This certificate program prepares students for a career as a community health worker. The community health worker serves as a bridge between the community and the health care, government and social service systems. Community health workers (CHWs) are frontline public health workers who have a close understanding of the community they service. This trusting relationship enables them to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. 

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 096CE- Blueprint for Workplace Success (36 hours)

  • VOC ED 551CE- Community Health Worker (27 hours)

Custodial Technician Preparation

This certificate program will prepare students to meet the application requirements for entry-level custodial positions. Upon successful completion of this certificate, a student will have completed the 60 hours of basic custodial safety and cleaning training required for most entry-level custodial positions. In addition, topics include interviewing skills, workplace performance, communication standards, and resume writing.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 060CE- Custodial Technician Training (63 hours)
  • VOC ED 098CE- 30 Ways to Shine as an Employee (12 hours)

 

Custodial Scheduling Supervising Training

This certificate program prepares students to meet the application requirements for entry-level custodial supervisory positions. Upon successful completion of this certificate, a student will have completed the 60 hours of basic custodial scheduling and supervisory training required for most entry-level supervisory positions. In addition, topics include scheduling workloads, management of custodial staff, safety practices, and the cleaning standards of various types of facilities.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 550CE- Custodial Scheduling and Supervising Training (45 hours)
  • VOC ED 096CE- Blueprint for Workplace Success (36 hours)

 

Financial Literacy

This certificate program provides students with an introduction to the principles of finance with an emphasis on personal finance. Students will learn general personal financial management skills, including developing realistic financial goals and methods for creating a plan to meet those goals. This certificate also serves as a gateway into other non-credit and credit programs in personal or business finance. 

Required Courses:

  • BSICSKL 065CE- Financial Literacy- Credit Basics (9 hours)
  • BSICSKL 066CE- Financial Literacy- Personal Money Management (9 hours)

Landscape Technician

This certificate program prepares students for a career in the Landscape Industry by building their technical knowledge in the areas of design and drafting, project management, business practices, and how to choose the right plant for the right environment. Completion of this Certificate provides knowledge equivalent to on-the-job training in the Landscape field. This is. A good place to start to learn about the certification process to become a Licensed C27 Landscape Contractor. The program will also serve the community by allowing homeowners and current landscape employees to gain the skills needed to create their own landscape using the elements of design and cost management principles.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 620CE- Intro to Residential Landscape Design (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 621CE- Basics of Plant Identification (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 622CE- Landscape Blueprint Reading and Cost Estimating (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 623CE- Landscape Business Practices (14 hours)

Medical Assistant: Front and Back Office

This certificate program provides students with the hands-on skills and knowledge needed for an entry-level career as a medical office assistant. Medical Office Assistants are allied health professionals responsible for various medical office administrative tasks beginning with initial patient contact through final payment. Medical assistants are allied healthcare professionals responsible for various clinical and/or administrative duties. They perform clinical functions including but not limited to direct patient care and preparation, while maintaining patient safety and confidentiality. They may also perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, bookkeeping, and billing and insurance processing. Medical assistants work primarily in ambulatory care settings such as a medical offices and clinics. Students learn skills in taking and recording vital signs, exam room preparation, patient data collection, simple dressing changes and other skills required in the field. Upon successful completion of program students are prepared to take the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam administered by the National Center for Competency Testing.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 372CE- Fundamentals of Medical Assisting (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 373CE- Medical Assisting Front Office (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 374CE- Computer Usage Skills for the Medical Office (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 375CE- Medical Assisting Back Office 1 (72 hours)
  • VOC ED 376CE- Medical Assisting Back Office 2 (72 hours)
  • VOC ED 377CE- Basic Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 378CE- Essential Skills in Medical Insurance Coding and Billing for Medical Assistants (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 379CE- Basic Life Support and First Aid for Medical Assistants (9 hours)
  • VOC ED 380CE- Medical Assistant Practicum (27 hours)
     

Medical Front Office Assistant

This certificate program trains students to oversee organizational tasks, such as scheduling, managing records, medical billing, and checking in patients. It prepares students to enter the workforce as an entry-level Medical Front Office Assistants. Students will gain the skills necessary to work along-side doctors, nurses, and many other supportive health care agencies to meet patient needs through clerical assistance. The Medical Front Office Assistant courses are complemented by a Computer Usage Skills course which exposes students to concepts, skills, and practical application of computer software programs used in the healthcare industry in front office reception and basic medical coding and billing. The 30 Ways to Shine as a New Employee course increases students’ employability when entering the workforce.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 098CE- 30 Ways to Shine as a New Employee (12 hours)
  • VOC ED 372CE- Fundamentals of Medical Assisting (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 373CE- Medical Assisting Front Office (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 374CE- Computer Usage Skills for the Medical Office (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 377CE- Basic Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 378CE- Essential Skills in Medical Insurance Coding and Billing for Medical Assistants (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 379CE- Basic Life Support and First Aid for Medical Assistants (9 hours)

Real Estate Fundamentals

The certificate program introduces students to the skills and concepts required to prepare to enter the Real Estate profession. This program is perfect for new and current real estate professionals who want to grow in their careers by increasing their knowledge in the areas of licensure preparation, working with clients, and building for students interested in expanding their salesperson skills or pursuing broker's licensure in the state of California.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 667CE- Real Estate Fundamentals (9 hours)
  • VOC ED 668CE- Passing the California Real Estate Exam (9 hours)

Tutor Training

This certificate program prepares students to work as tutors at the Center for Academic Success at LA Pierce College. The program covers pedagogy, practices, and policies that enables skillful practice of student tutoring and teacher assistance, Individuals gain highly transferable skills for future employment both within learning and/or tutoring centers and in pre-K-12th grade schools.

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 088CE- Introduction to Tutor Training (18 hours)
  • VOC ED 089CE- Advanced Tutor Training (18 hours)

Workplace Success

This certificate program provides students critical tools and skills for workplace success. Students will complete a self-assessment and accordingly plan a career, learning current job search practices, resume preparation, workplace etiquette, and management of time and stress. Students will increase their likelihood of career success by also putting together immediate and longer-term actionable goals. 

Required Courses:

  • VOC ED 096CE- Blueprint for Workplace Success (36 hours)
  • VOC ED 098CE- 30 Ways to Shine as a New Employee (12 hours)

 

Workplace Success: Managing Anger

Students are introduced to techniques to help manage, understand, and prevent unhealthy anger in life and the workplace. 

Required Courses:

  • BSICSKL 211CE- Anger Management Life Skills (27 hours)
  • BSICSKL 212CE- Anger Management Skills in the Workplace (27 hours)

GED Preparation

We offer GED preparation for students who want to pass the General Education Development test. We provide preparation in all four sections: Reasoning through Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematical Reasoning. Students may choose to do classes to prepare for all the subjects or just select the subjects students are interested in. We also offer GED testing. 

For more information about our GED program and/or testing information, please text (805)991-2529. 

Click on the title of the GED Preparation and Foundational Skills certificate below to get information on the certificate and requirements. 

GED Preparation and Foundational Skills

This certificate prepares students to pass the four sections of the General Education Development test: Reasoning through Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematical Reasoning. Students will learn skills necessary to become successful test-takers in a computerized environment including managing time, mitigating test anxiety, and practicing academic integrity. This certificate also serves as a gateway into other noncredit and credit programs. 

Required Courses:

  • BSICSKL 038CE- GED Preparation (72 hours)
  • VOC ED 187CE- Computer Usage Skills (36 hours)

 

Adult Education Department

Phone: (818) 712-2686
Email: adultedinfo@piercecollege.edu
Location: Alder 1016

Office Hours:
Mondays to Fridays: 8:00am- 4:00pm
Saturdays and Sundays: closed