College Joins Consortium to Meet Growing Employment Opportunities – Posted 1/20/15
Those looking to take advantage of strong employment opportunities in public health can begin their higher education at County College of Morris (CCM) starting fall 2015 through a new associate of science program developed by a consortium of community colleges in the state.
The first associate degree program in public health in New Jersey was developed jointly by CCM, Brookdale Community College, Mercer County Community College and Middlesex County College to provide an affordable pathway for preparing graduates for career opportunities in the field. The program will prepare students to transfer to four-year institutions to earn their bachelor’s degrees or higher.
Public health professionals help to promote wellness and prevent disease and injury through education, the collection of data and research, and the development of policy and regulation. According to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, there is expected to be a growing need for environmental health specialists, epidemiologists, health educators, occupational health and safety technicians, occupational health specialists and public health nutritionists in the state.
“By offering New Jersey’s first associate degree program in public health, CCM and the other community colleges in the consortium are fulfilling their mission of providing high-quality and accessible academic programs to support the individual’s quest for learning and professional development and the needs of employers,” said Dr. Edward J. Yaw, president of CCM.
The program will allow students to develop a background in public health through introductory coursework and training in laboratory science. In New Jersey, they then would be able to transfer to Montclair State University, the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and William Paterson University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public health.
To apply to CCM, go to www.ccm.edu/admissions.
