Guitar Manufacturing, Event Management, and Filmmaking, Among New Offerings
From event management and filmmaking to learning how to manufacture guitars, San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, along with San Diego Continuing Education, are offering an array of new degrees, certificates, and programs for students when the San Diego Community College District’s (SDCCD) 2016-17 academic year begins Aug. 22.
Many of the programs were developed in collaboration with local industry and are aimed at meeting employer demands. “A key component of the San Diego Community College District’s mission is in workforce development, as we play a major role in growing the regional economy,” said SDCCD Chancellor Constance M. Carroll.
City College has incorporated a variety of disciplines into new Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MFET) courses that will provide students with the skills to build their own electric guitars. The first course, MFET 101, introduces the disciplines necessary for safely designing and building quality products using lean processes, which eliminate waste. The second course, MFET 107, guides students in applying their new knowledge to design and build a custom-made guitar. The program is aimed at helping students to become highly skilled manufacturing engineering technicians.
“We’re really excited about these guitar-building classes, as they provide yet another way for us to differentiate City College as a forward-thinking and innovative institution,” said Interim President Denise S. Whisenhunt. “No other STEM classes end up in a jam session.”
Other new programs at City College include a Certificate of Achievement in Broadcast News, a Certificate of Performance as a Nail Technician in the Cosmetology Program, and an Associate of Science Degree in Documentary Filmmaking.
Mesa College officially opens a new center of campus life with a September dedication of the Mesa Commons that includes a new home for its Culinary Arts/Management instructional program, the bookstore and cafeteria, a convenience store, lounges, and more. Other new degree programs launching this fall include a new associate degree and certificate in Event Management, and a one-semester Phlebotomy Certificate of Performance. Mesa College’s groundbreaking baccalaureate program in Health Information Management will, for the first time, be offering upper division classes for its first cohort of upper division students beginning this fall.
Working adults who want to earn a college degree should look into the new accelerated business degree program that launches this fall at Mesa College. The program offers convenient evening, hybrid and online classes, and puts enrolled students on a sequential path that enables them to complete their degree in three years — and gives them priority admission status to the California State University system.
“This is a fast, convenient and affordable solution tailored to busy, working adults,” said Mesa President Pamela T. Luster. “Every element of the program adapts to a career schedule and lifestyle, so that working students can balance work and family while earning a college degree to advance their career.”
Miramar College now offers a Personal Financial Management course to help students understand the many important aspects of and strategies for successful money management. The college is also expanding its offerings for entrepreneurs with a new online class titled “Managing a Small Business.”
“Our faculty continues to develop innovative programs and courses that give our students a tremendous opportunity to succeed in the workforce and in their personal lives,” said Dr. Patricia Hsieh, President of San Diego Miramar College.
San Diego Continuing Education’s new offerings include a Small Business Growth certificate program that will provide entrepreneurs with the practical application skills and knowledge to plan, manage, and grow a small business. The free program is offered at SDCE’s Cesar E. Chavez Campus in Barrio Logan and requires just three classes to complete.
The district anticipates an estimated 1,000 additional students at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education during the coming academic year. Its budget calls for more workforce preparation programs, additional course sections, and increased initiatives aimed at ensuring student success, along with reinstating intercession January, 2017.
Here is a list of new programs in the district:
CITY COLLEGE
– Advanced Arts Entrepreneurship (Certificate of Performance)
– Arts Entrepreneurship (Certificate of Performance)
– Sports Management (Certificate of Performance)
– VITA Tax Preparation Training (Certificate of Performance)
– Conflict Resolution and Mediation (Certificate of Achievement)
– Nail Technician (Certificate of Performance)
– Broadcast News (Certificate of Achievement)
– Documentary Film (Associate of Science)
– Media Management and Marketing (Certificate of Achievement)
MESA COLLEGE
– Event Management (Associate of Science)
– Event Management (Certificate of Achievement)
– Phlebotomy (Certificate of Performance)
MIRAMAR COLLEGE
– Emergency Medical Technician (Certificate of Performance)
– Graphics-Visual Production (Certificate of Performance)
CONTINUING EDUCATION
– Windows System Administrator Program
– Small Business Growth
As the second-largest of California’s 72 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 100,000 students annually through three two-year colleges and San Diego Continuing Education. The three colleges, San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College, offer associate degrees and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and entry-level jobs. Mesa College also offers a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management. Continuing Education offers noncredit adult education at six campuses throughout San Diego.
