Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management Certificate of Achievement

The Integrated Pest Management program prepares students for an agriculture production career; learning the skills needed for the production and care of agricultural crops through hands-on, real-world experience. Completion of the certificate qualifies students to enter the professional job market or the units may be applied as university transfer or to fulfill the education requirement for the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s (CDPR) Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) license. This certificate program is for students interested in careers as Pest Control Advisers, Certified Crop Consultants, Qualified Applicator’s or Agri-chemical sales representatives.

Program student learning outcomes:

1. Students will identify common weeds found in Central California and statewide.
2. Students will explain the methods of safely applying various herbicides.
3. Students will identify insects and closely related plant and animal pests and pest damage.
4. Students will explain the economic aspects of beneficial and harmful insects.
5. Students will select possible methods and timing of control in a given circumstance.
6. Students will understand the difference between California laws and DPR regulations.
7. Students will diagram and describe the parts of a pesticide label.
8. Students will understand the requirements to use a pesticide with a restricted label.
9. Students will identify and describe the various DPR pest control certifications and licenses.
10. Students will employ the principles and concepts of IPM in field crop environments.
11. Students will explain the mode of action of pesticides, pesticide absorption by the human body, and the importance of poisoning measurements.
12. Students will safely and properly mix, calibrate, apply, and dispose of different pesticide formulations utilizing different techniques and equipment.

For Gainful Employment information please visit:
https://westhillscollege.com/coalinga/degrees-and-certificates/gainful-employment/

Career and employment information may be obtained through:

• O*Net, www.onetonline.org 
• Labor Market, California Employment Development Department, www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov