Several new credit programs were recently approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to be offered this fall at Wor-Wic Community College.
The first is a new STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) transfer associate of science degree with six areas of concentration: biology, chemistry, chemistry: pre-pharmacy, engineering, mathematics and physics. These programs prepare graduates to transfer to four-year institutions to pursue a degree in a STEM discipline in support of careers in the biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, veterinary, dentistry or mortuary science.
The college is also expanding its business program by offering a new social media specialist option in response to requests from area businesses looking for employees with social media management skills to fill entry-level positions.
The college will also be adding to its general studies program this fall by offering a new communication studies degree, as well as the option of earning an associate of arts in general studies completely online. Courses in the new communication studies program include public speaking, interpersonal communication, mass communication and writing for digital media. The new communication studies program and online general studies program are both designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.
A new correctional technology certificate is being offered by the criminal justice department. This is for students who are enrolled in the entrance-level jail and correctional officer training program at Wor-Wic’s Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy. The students will now be certified by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission and will receive this certificate from the college.
Face-to-face courses are still being offered, but students can now choose to complete the college’s degree and certificate programs in chemical dependency counseling completely online. Since Wor-Wic’s online offering of this program is the only one of its kind in the state, students who enroll can pay in-county tuition rates. An articulation agreement is in place with Salisbury University for those who want to transfer into the social work program there.
“Wor-Wic has worked closely with area employers to create the occupational degrees and specifically with Salisbury University to develop articulation agreements for the transfer degrees,” said Dr. Ray Hoy, president of Wor-Wic. “By regularly evaluating local needs and partnering with growing businesses to create new programs, our college is building pathways to in-demand careers that offer family-sustaining wages.”
Further articulation agreements are in the works for communication studies and STEM. In addition, a certificate in computed tomography for those who already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology has been approved to begin in spring of 2020.
For more information, visit www.worwic.edu or call 410-334-2800.