Heartland Community College adds new programs for Trade Management and CT Technologist

 

[March 17, 2021] 

Heartland Community College is adding new certificate programs and a new Associate of Applied Sciences degree to help fill workforce needs in both industrial technology and health care.

The District 540 Board of Trustees has approved the adoption of a Technical Management Skills Certificate, a Computed Tomography Technologist program, and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Trades Management. Both new certificate programs will allow students to advance into the workplace directly from Heartland, while the Technical Management Skills Certificate can be included in studies for a degree in Trades Management.

The Trades Management program prepares laborers to transition into a supervisor or management role. The 60 credit-hour program pairs with apprenticeship credits earned by trade union workers such as laborers, electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, and when combined with general education requirements fulfills the requirements for the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

A Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist certificate was developed in response to community need for certified, entry level CT Technologists. The 9 credit-hour certificate provides an opportunity for both current radiography students and registered radiology technologists to earn an additional certification in computed tomography, increasing employment and earnings potential.

The certificate is a three-course sequence providing advanced certification in CT Technology.

“These new programs of study are examples of how Heartland is looking to meet the workforce needs of our community with programs that help students take a step up with a stackable credit or certificate,” said Dr. Rick Pearce, Heartland Community College Provost and VP of Academic Affairs. “In both the trades and medical imaging, existing students or practitioners can add additional skills that are designed to lead to more earning potential.”

The District 540 Board of Trustees approved the adoption of the programs at their March 16, 2021 meeting.

The next step in the process of program development is Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) approval.

Heartland is targeting the Summer 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters for new students to begin these programs. Students who are currently enrolled in Heartland’s radiography program may be able to begin taking the CT certificate courses in Summer 2021.

[Steve Fast
Director, Public Information
Heartland Community College]