New Degree Plans, Certifications Offered

 Jennifer Moore, staff writer

South Plains College has added several new plans for certifications and new degrees programs to help students in their career paths.

The college will offer two new Associate of Arts degrees, one in corporate-organizational communications and one in fourth-to-eighth-grade education.  Dr. Jay Driver, dean of arts and sciences at SPC, said expanding educational opportunities is responsive to the college’s mission.

“Part of the mission of South Plains College is to provide a broad and dynamic curriculum to its students,” he said.  “Both the communications and Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degrees help fulfill that mission.  As technology evolves, communication media degrees will change to meet industry needs.  Adding the course in Public Relations, COMM 2330, will allow the Communications Department to make the necessary adaptations to help students transfer to four-year institutions and complete baccalaureate degrees in communications.”

Charlie Ehrenfeld, instructor of journalism, will be teaching the new public relations course, and other communications instructors will be teaching the other courses needed for the communication degree.  Annette Smith has been hired by the college to teach and advise students for the AAT degree.  She teaches education courses EDUC 1301 and 2301.

Dr. Driver also explained why a student would want to pursue one of the degrees.

“The communications area is constantly changing as communications media evolve,” he said.  “For the AAT degree, students interested in elementary and middle school education may begin taking education courses in their first two years of college.  Offering these degrees provides more educational opportunities for students.”

SPC will also be offering several new and recently-added level one certifications.  Among the offerings are: business management, commercial music, video production technology, automotive collision repair advanced skills, diesel auxillary systems, diesel engines and drive systems and basic and advanced welding processes.

Rob Blair, dean of technical education at SPC, explained the advantages for a student earning a certification.

“We look at a level one certification as a stepping stone toward an associate’s degree,” he said.  “A student that is interested in any of the programs, they do not have to be THEA compliant at the time.  For the students that are not, we can get them in the courses, we can start them on track, not only toward a level one certificate, but toward an associate’s degree as well.”

Blair said that some view certifications as a deterrent for students to get an associate’s degree.  According to Blair, this is not the case.

“We look at a certification as South Plains College providing alterative opportunities for students to learn a trade, learn a skill and go to work in the workforce,” he said.

South Plains College will also be offering two insurance courses at the Byron Martin Technology Center which will apply toward a business management certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree in business. The college is working in partnership with Insurance Educators Alliance, INC., in order to offer the new courses.

“South Plains College foresees the Educational Alliance INC. partnership as a pathway for students to learn insurance foundations, which track graduates toward a successful career in area insurance business,” said Blair.