# Artificial Intelligence Skill Building (Career Development and College Preparation (CDCP))

College of the Siskiyous · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Degrees and Certificates A-Z

Source: https://siskiyous.elumenapp.com/catalog/cos26-27catalog/program/artificial-intelligence-skill-building-fall-2026

**Credits:** 30.0 credits

The noncredit Artificial Intelligence Skill Building program will help increase general AI literacy and offer upskilling and reskilling for career advancement. The certificate is composed of two, 15-hour classes and will provide short-term courses for students and working professionals with flexible online and hybrid delivery to maximize access.

### Program Requirements

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Complete the following courses: Complete all of the following** | | 30 |
| BA 0501 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 15 |
| BA 0502 | Artificial Intelligence at Work: Skills for Business & Beyond | 15 |

### Recommended Sequence

#### AI Skill Building Recommended Sequence

**Term 1** (30 units)

-   BA0501 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15)
-   BA0502 - Artificial Intelligence at Work: Skills for Business & Beyond (15)

### Program Initiation Proposal

##### Program Initiation Criteria #1: Please explain the overall need for a new program and how that program aligns with state and local missions.

This program aligns with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO’s) mission as the CCCCO actively supports and expands AI classes and literacy initiatives across the community college system. The Chancellor’s Office has established the “AI Fellows” program to develop frameworks, guidelines, and resources to support responsible adoption of AI technologies across all 116 community colleges. The Chancellor’s Office has also produced an AI Workplan outlining how AI will be integrated into student support services, faculty development, and curriculum with an emphasis on equity, ethics, and infrastructure. Chancellor Sonja Christian has declared that every Californian should know how to effectively create an AI prompt and how to confirm that validity of the information provided. In addition, under Vision 2030, noncredit education is a key pathway for economic mobility — offering short-term, tuition-free or low-cost programs that equip learners with skills for employment or transition into further education.
 

##### Program Initiation Criteria #2: Please provide an evaluation of institutional resources/statutory goals, which may include the need for and present adequacy of resources.

There will be little to no institutional resources needed for this program other than instructional costs. No facilities or equipment will be needed for the program. This program will collect apportionment at the enhanced, noncredit Career Development (CDCP) apportionment rate. In 2025–2026, the rate is approximately $7,595.29 per full-time equivalent student (FTES). The adjunct instruction cost is projected at an annual cost of less than $7,000.  At last 50% of the funding will be externally funded by Adult Education Pathways. As illustrated in the previous Cost Benefit Analysis, the apportionment collected will be almost triple of instruction costs in the first year.
 

##### Program Initiation Criteria #3: FOR CREDIT CTE PROGRAMS ONLY: Please provide the recommendations of career technical education regional consortium (North Far North), industry, and/or Program Advisory Committees, when applicable.

None

##### Program Initiation Criteria #4: FOR CREDIT CTE AND SHORT-TERM VOCATIONAL CDCP PROGRAMS ONLY: Please provide Labor Market Information/Needs if applicable.

None

##### Program Initiation Criteria #5: Please explain any facilities and equipment needs required to sustain the program.

No facilities or equipment is needed for this program. 

##### Program Initiation Criteria #6: Please provide a Short and Long-Term Staffing and Budgetary Plan, including a cost/revenue analysis.

Please see Program Narrative attachment for cost-revenue analysis. 

##### Program Initiation Criteria #7: Please provide a projected five-year plan that includes a projected course schedule and enrollment trends.

Please see Program Narrative attachment for 5 Year Plan. 

##### Program Initiation Criteria #8: Please provide regional labor data, if applicable. Comparison of the proposed program to similar programs within the region.

AI adoption is underway across nearly all industries including those important to Siskiyou County’s economy. A 2025 McKinsey survey found that 78% of organizations use AI in at least one business function (up from 55% the previous year). Companies most commonly use AI in Information Technology , marketing/sales, and service operations. Use is also growing in finance, human resources, and product development. In Northern California and rural regions, the following sectors and functions utilizing AI include: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Manufacturing and Logistics, Healthcare and Social Services, Retail, Tourism and Small Business,and Government and Public Services. Overall, the breadth of AI adoption – from agriculture to healthcare to small businesses – illustrates that the regional workforce needs AI literacy across many jobs. It is clear that employers across many sectors are seeking employees versed in AI.

##### Program Initiation Criteria #9: Please provide a comparison of the proposed program to similar programs within the region.

This proposed AI Skill Building program will be the first AI class at the College and the first noncredit program north of Sacramento. There are very few noncredit AI programs in Northern California. Canada College in Menlo Park, CA offers a 24-hour noncredit Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course. College of the Canyons in Southern California offers 2, noncredit courses, which are 8-12 hours in duration.

##### Program Initiation Criteria #10: Please provide an explanation of how the proposed program addresses an ongoing need not currently met by existing programs.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are rapidly transforming industries and job roles, creating new opportunities for workers with AI skills. As these are the first AI courses to be proposed at the College, this pioneering AI program will help address the extreme and rapid demand by
providing hands-on practice to build high-demand, fluid skills.

##### Program Initiation Criteria #11: Please explain how the program aligns to institutional outcomes and the strategic master plan.

This program serves a community need as AI skills a in high demand and types of jobs are changing rapidly. 

##### Program Initiation Criteria #12: Please explain the ability of programs to meet standards of external accrediting agencies, licensing boards, and governing bodies, if applicable.

The Director of Noncredit, Community and Contract Education will oversee this program to ensure all education requirements are met.

### Program Outcomes

#### BA 0501: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

#### BA 0502: Artificial Intelligence at Work: Skills for Business & Beyond