The LGBT Studies Certificate Program was created in 2012 to prepare students interested in a degree in LGBT studies for transfer to a two or four-year institution.  The program was also designed to provide career training for future and incumbent teachers who are required to deliver curriculum required by the Fair and Inclusive Education Act. 

This certificate program will prepare students with applicable knowledge related to careers in education, a wide range of social services, health care, public safety, counseling, and for work in non-profit organizations related to the LGBT community.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Identify major issues and vocabulary in the field of LGBT Studies.
• Discuss issues faced by sexual orientation and gender identity minorities in the family, education, and community.
• Explain the differences in how people identify their sexual orientation and their gender identity.

The foundational course in this certificate program is LGBT-120 Introduction to LGBT Studies in the Family, Education and Community.  This course examines a variety of LGBT topics related to the family, education and the community including LGBT history, the pursuit of civil rights, the variety of ways people identify their sexual orientation and gender identity, the AIDS epidemic, hatecrimes, the evolution of the family, "coming out," and the variety of LGBT sub-cultures found in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Students will have the opportunity to explore a more specific area of interest related to LGBT Studies as they complete the rest of the certificate program.

Required Courses (12 Units)

LGBT-120 Introduction to LGBT Studies
ANTH-150 Sex & Gender Cross-Cultural Perspective
PSYC-135 Human Sexuality
PHIL-137 Comparative Religions
or
HUMA-186 Culture and Gender In Film

Electives (6 Units)

LGBT-190 Service Learning/Internship
CFS-140 The Child, Family and Community
PSYC-125 Human Development
COUN-124 Working With Diverse Populations

Napa Valley College has partnered with City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to offer this program.  Students may choose from over twenty different elective courses in LGBT Studies offered by CCSF to fulfill the elective requirements for this certicate program.  Many of the courses offered by CCSF are available online so that students can take them without having to travel to the CCSF campus.  For a list of the approved courses, please contact the LGBT Studies Program Coordinator. 

Students may enter the LGBT Studies Certificate Program at any time.  Students who are new to the college must complete an application for admission.  We highly recommend that all new students meet with a counselor to develop and Education Plan.  Students already admitted to Napa Valley College can simply enroll in one of the courses using the regular course registration process.  We recommend starting this certificate program by enrolling in LGBT-120.  This course meets the Napa Valley College general education degree requirements for social and behavioral science and multicultural/gender studies.

A two-year degree in LGBT Studies is now available from City College of San Francisco.  A four-year degree in LGBT Studies is available at San Diego State University.  Sonoma State University offers a minor in Queer Studies.  The LGBT-120 course qualifies for transfer to all of these programs.  Other required courses and the electives may qualify for transfer or elective credit.

Click Here To Download A Program Flier
Click Here To Download A Program Brochure
Click Here To Download A Certificate Application Form