Baltimore County College Takes Health Care Programs Online
The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) is expanding its e-learning activities by developing online and hybrid programs in health care. The move will help alleviate what the college described as a "backlog of potential students who previously were prevented from enrolling due to limited classroom space." The initiative includes new online nursing, paramedic, and medical lab technician programs.
The first such program will cover nursing, offering both an online component and a hands-on portion in which students will spend one day per week at a clinical site. SunGard Higher Education’s Strategic & Academic Consulting Services, which is working with the college on the initiative, is providing a full-time academic director for the programs, along with "instructional design assistance, course design services, training, and website development," according to the company.
“The online format, particularly for the paramedic to RN and the medical laboratory technology programs, will allow us to extend our geographical reach to address shortages in critical healthcare professions,” said Carol D. Eustis, dean of the School of Health Professions at CCBC, in a statement released this week. “This is a winning solution for everyone, including our community.”
SunGard HE also worked with CCBC to obtain federal grants for the initiative totaling $808,000.
The Community College of Baltimore County serves about 70,000 students annually in 150 associate degree and certificate programs. It also provides employee development training to Maryland businesses. The online healthcare programs are expected to be available to students for the fall 2008 semester.
In other SunGard news, the company last week launched a new consulting service for higher education. SunGard HE has, in the past, offered consulting for clients in higher ed but is now offering it as a standalone service focused on launching and enhancing online and blended programs through its Strategic & Academic Consulting team. More information on the service can be found at the link below.
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David Nagel is editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Technology Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal and STEAM Universe. A 25-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.
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