FVCC adds new tech, degree programs
Flathead Valley Community College trustees have approved two new certificate programs and advanced two new degree programs to the board of regents for approval.
At its Monday meeting, the board of trustees gave a green light to a new graphic arts certificate and a pharmacy technology certificate for the fall semester. Because certificate programs don't require more than 30 credits, the college can adopt them without Regents' approval.
Trustees also voted to upgrade the existing certificates in electrical and plumbing technology to two-year associates degrees. These programs prepare students for entry into registered apprentice positions through the Montana Department of Labor.
According to college Vice President Kathy Hughes, this recommendation goes before the Montana Board of Regents in July. College officials plan to include the upgraded electrical and plumbing degrees in the fall catalog with a "pending approval" note.
Hughes said the opening of the new Arts & Technology Building along with new graphics-based businesses in the valley created a demand for the graphic arts certificate.
Dawn Rauscher, information technology and Web instructor, and John Rawlings, art instructor, developed the 30-credit (two semester) certificate.
Rauscher said it required adding only four or five new classes. One new class builds a digital portfolio of the student's work to use in job searches.
Board members asked what type of work the certificate students would perform.
"They would do logos and brochures," Rauscher said. "All the courses are using Adobe software."
She described a person graduating with a certificate as technician level.
The new pharmacy certificate prepares a student to work as a pharmacy technician. It requires just one semester (16 units) of classes to prepare for the national certification exam.
Sue Justis, chairman of the allied health development, said the field offers excellent employment possibilities. A Web search revealed wage ranges from $11 to $14.50 an hour.
"Pharmacy technicians have a huge new role," Justis said.
She said techs perform some of the same duties as pharmacists such as counting pills and filling prescriptions. They work under the supervision of registered pharmacists.
Kalispell Regional Medical Center agreed to take the lead on providing classrooms. As part of the training, students train in hospital or community pharmacies.
Justis said the abundance of pharmacies in the valley allows the certificate program to place 20 students a semester for training.
The pending electrical technology program has 16 students from the one-year certificate program interested in pursuing the associates degree, according to Bill Roope, career education coordinator.
Seven students likely would enter the second year for the plumbing technology degree.
Roope said the combination of opening the new Occupational Trades Building and acquiring equipment allowed the college to request expansion of these certificates to degree programs.
The board of trustees unanimously approved the new certificate and degree programs.
In a related action, trustees agreed to an exception to the requirement that students hold a high school diploma or GED for admittance to certificate or degree programs. The director of admissions may not authorize exceptions for high school students participating in the Running Start program.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.
Trustee Robert Nystuen asked about liability issues with students working with medications. College officials said the program carries professional liability insurance on all students.
He said the instructor traveled to Havre to make certain the community college aligned its program with Montana State University-Northern's two-year associates degree in electrical technology.
"We're pretty confident we have the same program," Roope said.