BCC Adds More Degrees in Fast-Growing Job Fields

Brevard Community College will begin offering six new Associate Degrees and certificate programs in 2014 in the fast-growth fields of aviation and health care.

The move is the latest in a series of new opportunities BCC is initiating as it becomes Eastern Florida State College on July 1.

The name change will be accompanied by the launch of the college's first two Bachelor's Degrees in August with tracks in general business management and health care management.

The new two-year and other programs were presented Monday to the Board of Trustees to provide students more career options in areas where job growth is strong.

"These programs are carefully targeted to give graduates a path to employment in areas where Brevard and Central Florida businesses are hiring now and in the future," said BCC President, Dr. Jim Richey.

"Together, these and the college's other new programs are improving the career choices for thousands of students and will make an important difference in their lives."

The new two-year programs are:

• Associate of Science Degree as an Aircraft Airframe and Power-plant Mechanic

The degree is being developed in close cooperation with Melbourne International Airport, Florida Tech and the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast to meet the need for skilled workers at the airport's growing commercial aviation hub.

Graduates will have the training to inspect, trouble-shoot, repair and maintain aircraft engines, airframes and other major aircraft components.

The average expected salary is $49,130 annually.

• Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy

The degree reflects the increasing number of jobs in the area's health care industry.

The average expected salary is $52,000 annually.

• Associate of Science Degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant

This degree also helps meet the expanding need for workers in health care.

The average expected salary is $49,000 annually.

• Associate of Science Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant

This degree is in another rapidly-growing health care field.

The average expected salary is $47,500 annually.

The new certificate programs are:

• Post-Secondary Adult Vocational Certificate as a Machinist in Advanced Manufacturing

This program is geared to Brevard's manufacturing industry as it continues its post-recession recovery.

The expected salary is $31,100 annually.

• Post-Secondary Adult Vocational Certificate as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.

This is another health care profession where employment is rising in the region.

The average expected salary is $58,000 annually.

The six programs follow these other new Associate Degree and certificate programs the college started this year:

• Associate of Science Degree in Cyber Security
• Associate of Science Degree in Health Information Technology
• Post-Secondary Adult Vocational Certificate in Police, Fire, Ambulance 911 Dispatcher
• Post-Secondary Adult Vocational Certificate in Electrical Repairs

Beyond that, the college recently expanded its Bachelor's Degree programs in March when trustees approved seven new tracks in business, health care and information technologies.

The programs scheduled to start in August 2014 are:

• Bachelor's Degrees in Public Safety Management and Sales and Marketing Management
• Bachelor's Degrees in Advanced Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences
• Bachelor's Degrees in Software Development, Program Development and Project Management, and Networking Services

All the four-year degrees align with Associate's Degrees now offered at the college in fields such as public safety, business, health care, technology and more.

That will make them a perfect fit for students currently enrolled at the college along with individuals in the workforce who want to advance their education to boost their careers.

The college surveyed a wide cross-section of businesses throughout Brevard and Central Florida to gauge their workforce needs, and used the research to develop the new programs.

College officials also closely examined a state list that targeted sectors where job growth was expected in Central Florida, with a specific emphasis on in-demand jobs.