Professional Development Studies
13 courses · Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
PDS 30 WELLNESS ARTS
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (1.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
Presents art as a tool for processing, expressing and managing mental health issues as they relate to succeeding in a college environment. Examines the fundamentals of mental wellness in the college setting and provides strategies for maintaining positive mental health. Designed for students who struggle with levels of anxiety, sadness, intrusive thoughts, and social phobia that may make attending and succeeding in college difficult.
PDS 101 SURVEY OF OFFICE PROCEDURES
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 2 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
Presents a basic overview of professional office procedures in a hands-on learning environment, with an emphasis on the foundational knowledge and skills required for a basic entry level administrative office support position.
PDS 102 SURVEY OF RETAIL PROCEDURES
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 2 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
Presents a basic overview of professional retail procedures in a hands-on environment, with an emphasis on the foundational knowledge and skills required for basic entry-level retail positions.
PDS 170 DEALING WITH CHANGE
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Provides students with an understanding of change and the influence it has on an organization and the individuals in that organization. Topics will include understanding organizational and individual change, theoretical models of change, and how to manage change.
PDS 171 TEAM BUILDING
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Provides the student with an understanding of how teams work together, common problems teams encounter and how to solve them. Students will learn to recognize various team player styles. Students will be introduced to team building in the workplace.
PDS 172 COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Introduces the student to key elements in communication within business organizations. Topics will include verbal and nonverbal communication, listening skills and specific supervisory communication skills.
PDS 173 CONFLICT RESOLUTION
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Provides the student with an analysis of attitudes and behavior which create conflict between individuals and groups within an organization.
PDS 174 CUSTOMER SERVICE
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Provides the student with certain key skills and attitudes in order to effectively meet the needs of customers. The student will be introduced to the concept of internal and external customers, customer satisfaction and customer retention.
PDS 175 VALUES & ETHICS
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Acquaints the student with the importance of values and ethics in the workplace. The importance of values and ethics involved in carrying out one's duties will be emphasized.
PDS 176 ATTITUDE IN THE WORKPLACE
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Provides the student with certain key skills in the area of attitude so that they may effectively maintain a positive attitude at the workplace and at home. Concepts of how attitudes are communicated, the three types of attitudes and how to adjust one's attitude will be presented.
PDS 177 STRESS MANAGEMENT
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Acquaints the student with various skills the supervisor needs to help employees. Included is the recognition of stress and how to manage it.
PDS 178 DECISION MAKING & PROBLEM SOLVING
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Introduces the student to decision making and problem solving for the workplace.
PDS 179 TIME MANAGEMENT
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 0.5 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Introduces the student to time management principles and specific tools that assist in making maximum use of time.