Cybersecurity among new majors at WCC

by Catherine Engstrom-Hadley
Staff Writer

This Fall, five new programs are being introduced for students at WCC. Cybersecurity, Fine Arts Associate’s in Arts, an LPN-to-RN program, a sterile processing technician certificate, and two culinary certificates. Kim Hurns, Vice President for instruction, says that cybersecurity has been highly requested from, “A growing threat that increases a deep need for experts in the cybersecurity field”. Cybersecurity experts are used in many different ways, mostly to plan and protect security systems for data, networks and computer systems. Students can pursue a two-year associates or transfer to a university for a bachelor’s. EMU has teamed up with WCC to provide a direct transfer into their information assurance and cyber defense bachelor’s degree program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth outlook is at twenty-eight percent, currently much higher than most fields.

A Fine Arts Associate’s in Arts is set up to be the first two years of a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree or a Bachelor’s in Art Education. A degree in fine arts offers a wide range of job opportunities, from curating at a museum to art production itself.

A culinary certification is now offered in culinary essentials and baking and pastry essentials. These certifications are smaller and more basic level, but can be used right away in the field and applied to a larger degree in culinary arts. “We are trying to provide certificates that can be used to feed into larger degrees.” said Hurns.

The LPN-to-RN program will help nursing students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. According to our colleges News and Events, “The Dean of Health Sciences, Dr. Valerie Greaves, said that more than 50 LPNs have expressed an interest in this kind of program and that several community health organizations have stated they will offer financial assistance to their LPNs to complete the program.”.

The sterile processing technician certificate will help students who are interested in a career in central processing for hospitals. Hurns informed us that this certificate is in high demand, with pay landing around eighteen dollars with a union. “We are very proud of this program, it creates many different pathways for student’s careers. The demand for this is growing faster than normal across the country and county.” Students will be educated on proper sterilization of instrumentation, supplies and equipment at hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and clinics.

New “three plus one” articulation agreements were made this summer, where students can take three years at WCC and finish the last year at a university. The new programs created this summer were: nursing with EMU, photography with EMU, graphic design, programming in C++, and programming in JAVA with Madonna University, and multiple agreements with Wesleyan University in Illinois. ” Three plus one programs create opportunities for students to save”, said Hurns. For your average student doing a 3-1 program, the savings come up to around 28 thousand dollars in tuition alone if we compare tuition rates with Eastern University. Programs are always being changed and updated throughout the year, “We are constantly fine tuning all of our programs. Faculty is observing industry trends and working with advisory boards to help make sure we are up to date and updating what needs to be updated.” said Hurns.

A focus on creating pathways, stackable degrees and certifications students can use while in college to support themselves is important to advisers and faculty. If you are interested in any of these programs, reach out to a counselor today to find out more information.

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