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Fully Accredited by WASC
(Western Association of Schools and Colleges)

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Certificate in Production and Inventory Control
Supply Chain Management Education and Training

• Improves employment marketability
• Helps prepare student for APICS CPIM certification examinations
• Taught by leading professionals in the field
• Prepares student for employment in aerospace, electronics, military, hospitals, retail, and warehousing
• Combines broad education in principles of supply chain management with practical hands-on training
• Provides three units of Bachelor's degree (upper division) applicable credit for each course successfully completed
• Taught online, on campus, and at company-sponsored sites

Courses

PIX 319 Basics of Supply Chain Management (Foundation Course)
PIX 331 Detailed Scheduling and Planning
PIX 332 Operations Execution and Control
PIX 333 Master Planning of Resources
PIX 340 Strategic Management of Resources

PIX 319 – Basics of Supply Chain Management
Students explore a broad overview of the field of Supply Chain Management and its role in the functional nature of organizations. The fundamental concepts and specialized vocabulary of this field are covered to prepare students for the remaining classes in the certificate program.

PIX 331 – Detailed Scheduling / Planning
Students focus on the various techniques for material and capacity scheduling. The course includes detailed descriptions of material requirements planning (MRP), capacity requirements planning (CRP), inventory management practices, and procurement and supplier planning.

PIX 332 – Operations Execution / Control
Students focus on prioritizing work, executing work plans and implementing controls, reporting activity results and providing evaluation feedback on performance. The course explains techniques for scheduling and controlling production processes, execution of quality incentives and control of inventories.

PIX 333 – Master Planning of Resources
Students explore processes to develop sales and operations plans and identify and assess internal and external demand and forecasting requirements. The course focuses on the importance of producing achievable master schedules consistent with business policies, objectives, and resource constraints.

PIX 340 – Strategic Management of Resources
Students explore the relationship of existing and emerging processes and technologies to manufacturing and supply functions. Aligning resources with the strategic plan, configuring and integrating operating processes to support the strategic plan, and implementing change are the main topics.

The Cost
The tuition for each three-unit course is in the course schedule. Textbooks and other related materials aren’t included in the tuition. Projected budget to complete the certificate program (not including computer hardware or online charges) is approximately $4000 (including all materials). There are five courses in the program.

Taking On-Line Courses from CSUDH
Courses offered via the web from CSUDH cover the same curriculum as those offered on campus or at local industry sites. In order to participate, you need an e-mail account and access to the World Wide Web. The minimum computer requirements are PC Pentium 2, 32 mg RAM, Windows 95, 98, 2000 or NT, 56K modem, Netscape 4.0 or Internet Explorer 4.0. If you feel comfortable sending email and "surfing the web" you’re prepared to participate in CSUDH online coursework.

If you’re planning to take this program utilizing only your company’s Internet access (we allow two electronic addresses per student) make sure you can readily reach us and that our email readily reaches you. If you have problems (usually because of "fire walls") you should contact your company’s system coordinator. You may want to consider accessing the Internet either from home, a local library or school or in some other way until these problems can be resolved. We have little to no difficulty with most systems but we feel it best if problems are encountered and resolved BEFORE you begin the program.

Certificate Requirements
No application is required for entering the certificate program. You must complete five courses achieving an over-all grade point average of 2.5 or better. Prior to completing your last class, you should request a Certificate Application form from the CSUDH Extension office at gmckeney@csudh.edu or call (310) 243-3782. If you complete the program with a 2.5 grade point average or better and submit the application form, you’ll receive an official and attractive CSUDH/LAPICS Certificate.

If you have completed all of the requirements for the program, you may apply for a certificate here.

Registration
To register for a course, just click on the Register Now! link at the top of the screen and follow the instructions. If you are taking an Internet class, you’ll automatically be set up in Blackboard. Blackboard is the software package used to administer the class. You can also send an email to jlhall@npgcable.com for Blackboard instructions if you do not receive them by email.

1. What is the California State University System?
   The Donohoe Higher Education Act established the California State University system in the early 1960’s. It currently consists of 23 campuses from Humboldt in the north to San Diego in the south. Current enrollment for all CSU campuses exceeds 350,000 full/part-time students with a faculty of more than 18,000.
   
2. What are APICS and LAPICS?
   LAPICS is the Los Angeles Chapter of APICS, Association for Operations Management. The chapter serves its approximately 700 members in the greater Los Angeles area by providing educational services in the field of supply chain management. The chapter offers seminars, certification preparation courses and college level courses through CSUDH. Other services provided include monthly professional development meetings in which current topics in the field are discussed and the publication of a monthly newsletter.
   
   APICS is an internationally recognized non-profit educational society of over 70,000 members dedicated to the area of production and inventory management. The society was established in 1957 to provide education programs, publications, and certification programs that support an organization’s ability to succeed in a changing, competitive marketplace. It provides a source of solutions for its members through access to local chapters and participation in international conferences and exhibits.
   
3. What exactly is the LAPICS Certificate Program?
   For over 15 years LAPICS and CSUDH have teamed together to offer professional certificates and other training for adults desiring to obtain a comprehensive education in the field of Production and Inventory Control. All instructors are leading CPIM professionals who love to teach and are very good at what they do – both on the job and in the classroom. CSUDH and LAPICS together take great pride in the development of dynamic, successful and industry respected programs delivered not only on the CSUDH Campus but on-site at local companies and now via the World Wide Web. CSUDH has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the Top Cyber Universities.
   
4. Is the LAPICS Certificate program accredited?
   Yes! The certificate is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the western member of a nationwide network of educational accrediting bodies. This applies to the Internet classes as well.
   
5. Are the credits earned degree applicable?
   Yes! Each course in the program grants 3 semester units of upper division degree applicable credit accepted by most universities and colleges. Determination regarding acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of each individual college or university.
   
6. Are there employment opportunities in the field?
   Definitely! CSUDH/LAPICS certificate holders have found excellent employment in aerospace, electronics, military, hospitals, retail, and warehouse supervision. To obtain information about employment opportunities in the Los Angeles visit the LAPICS website: www.lapics.org
   
7. Is financial aid available?
   No, financial aid isn’t available through CSUDH. Many companies, however, have excellent tuition reimbursement programs and we can arrange to invoice your company. Contact Christina at cbaltazar@csudh.edu (310) 243-3741 for further information. Veterans may receive benefits to cover this program. Contact the CSUDH Veterans office at pwells@csudh.edu (310) 243-3660 for further information. For more information just click on the "Financial Aid “ link at the top of the screen.
   
8. When are the courses offered?
   Courses are offered 3 times a year; however, not all courses are offered every trimester. Courses start in January, April and September. Each course is 13 weeks in length. You must take the Foundation Course (PIX319) first.
   
9. Can I test out of the Foundation Course, PIX319 – Basics of Supply Chain Management?
   Yes. The test-out option is available only for the PIX319 course. You must arrange a campus visit to take the test or arrange for an approved proctor. Send an email to smackay@csudh.edu or call the Extension office at 310-243-3741 for more information. You must still pay the tuition (nonrefundable) and pass the test with at least a B (80%). If you don’t pass with a B or better you’ll be enrolled in the next section of PIX319 at no additional charge.
   
10. What textbooks are used in the courses?
    
    PIX 319 Basics of Supply Chain Management
    
    * Introduction to Materials Management by J.R. Tony Arnold & Stephen Chapman, 6th Edition, 2006
    * APICS CPIM Participant Guide, Basics of Supply Chain Management (APICS #09122)
    
    PIX 331 Detailed Scheduling and Planning
    
    * APICS CPIM Participant Guide, Detailed Scheduling and Planning (APICS #09126)
    
    PIX 332 Operations Execution and Control
    
    * APICS CPIM Participant Guide, Execution and Control of Operations (APICS #09128)
    
    PIX 333 Master Planning of Resources
    
    * APICS CPIM Participant Guide, Master Planning of Resources (APICS #09124)
    
    PIX 340 Strategic Management Resources
    
    * APICS CPIM Participant Guide, Strategic Management of Resources (APICS #09130)
    
    To purchase textbooks for these courses, visit the APICS Bookstore www.apics.org.
    
    For further information contact:
    Scott Mackay: 310-243-2425/smackay@csudh.edu