The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Retail Management program incorporates both educational knowledge and technical skills, and is structured to lead students to competence in several areas. This program provides a strong foundation for students intending to pursue communications, liberal arts, and other areas where general management competencies are important.

Certificate of Performance: Retail Management Foundation Courses*

This Certificate of Performance incorporates the foundation courses for The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Retail Management Certificate of Achievement. Included are written and oral communication skills, basic business math and computer competencies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the certificate will be able to:

• Students analyze, organize, and compose various types of written and oral business communications.
• Students learn the mathematics involved in payroll, buying and selling inventory, interest rates and loans, taxes, insurance, depreciation, and other business computations.
• Analyze and solve business problems using computers and software packages including data processing systems, decision support systems, and system analysis.
• Students choose a topic and specific purpose; outlining, listening, organizing a speech; delivery; small group communication; informative and persuasive speaking; speaker credibility; and effective use of language.

*A Certificate of Performance is a departmental award that does not appear on the student’s transcript. All courses must be completed within the San Diego Community College District.

Certificate of Performance: Retail Management Intermediate Courses*

This Certificate of Performance incorporates the intermediate courses for the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Retail Management Certificate of Achievement. Included are accounting, marketing, and supervision skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the certificate will be able to:

• Students learn to use accounting information and financial statements in making business decisions in the operation of a retail food business.
• Students develop marketing strategies including product planning, development, pricing, distribution, and promotion necessary to operate a retail food business.
• Students learn basic management skills necessary to manage a department in the retail food industry.

*A Certificate of Performance is a departmental award that does not appear on the student’s transcript. All courses must be completed within the San Diego Community College District

Certificate of Performance: Retail Management Advanced Courses*

This Certificate of Performance incorporates the advance courses for the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Retail Management Certificate of achievement. Included are team building and retailing skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the certificate will be able to:

• Students develop leadership, decision-making, communication, motivation, and personnel management skills and techniques necessary to own or operate a small business.
• Students develop marketing strategies including product planning, development, pricing, distribution, and promotion necessary to operate retail food business.
• Students develop effective interpersonal skills, strategies and practice in oral and written communication. Students also learn to pay particular attention to human perception, interpersonal dynamics, listening, conflict management, and verbal and nonverbal symbol systems.

*A Certificate of Performance is a departmental award that does not appear on the student’s transcript. All courses must be completed within the San Diego Community College District

Certificate of Achievement: Business Studies - Retail Management Emphasis

The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Retail Management Certificate has been developed and agreed upon by a curriculum task force comprised of both college and retail food industry professionals.

Associate in Science Degree: Business Studies - Coursework in retail management

The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Retail Management coursework incorporates both educational knowledge and technical skills and is structured to lead students to competence in several areas. This coursework provides a strong foundation for students intending to pursue communications, liberal arts, and other areas where general management competencies are important.

NOTE: Some courses may be repeated in the certificates and/or core but only need to be taken once.

Additional general education and graduation requirements for the associate degree are listed in the Academic Requirements section of the catalog. Students interested in careers as professional accountants should select the Business Studies San Diego State University Transfer Option. The associate degree requires a minimum of 60 units.

Business Studies