ALLEN PARK — Baker College of Allen Park will add five new programs to its 2015 fall roster — three in manufacturing and one each in health sciences and computer information systems. Classes begin Monday, Sept. 28.
The programs are a bachelor’s degree in cyber defense, associate degrees in hemodialysis patient care technician, advanced manufacturing technology and mechanical technology, and a certificate in CNC machinist.
“These new programs are the result of thorough needs analyses that identified career fields with growing employment opportunities in our community and across the state,” said Kristine L. Barann, Baker College of Allen Park president. “These are all 21st century jobs that have been created or affected by advances in technology. All of the new programs are successful at other Baker College campuses in Michigan.”
She said that manufacturing in Michigan relies increasingly on advanced design software and programming skills that were unknown to past generations. With a combined focus on preparing students to work on their own as well as on teams, the three new manufacturing programs are:
• CNC machinist certificate – This program readies graduates to operate today’s technologically advanced manufacturing lathes, turning centers, mills, routers and other machines. It includes a 120-hour internship. Computer numerical control operators use machine tools to perform cutting, drilling, shaping and finishing products or component parts. On a large scale, examples include building roller coasters, jets, drones and cars.
• Advanced manufacturing technology associate degree – Once students earn a CNC machinist certificate, they can continue coursework to complete this program. It focuses on advanced software training in Mastercam, AutoCAD and SolidWorks to design new products and write CNC programs to manufacture them.
• Mechanical technology associate program – This program emphasizes computer-aided design (CAD), communication and critical thinking — skills important for working effectively as part of an engineering team on projects that can range from jet engines to highly specialized micro-instruments used in surgery. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in mechanical design, manufacturing and production industries. The foundation courses in science and mathematics can lead to a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.
The Allen Park campus has created an engineering suite to support the new programs. It has dedicated classrooms and a lab with state-of-the-art equipment similar to equipment used by area manufacturers. The lab includes milling equipment, an S-10 CNC internal grinder, 3-D printers and multiple Haas CNC Control simulators.
The new cyber defense bachelor’s program will ramp up the campus’ computer information systems offerings. This program prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills in computer information technology and security to analyze and respond to computer infrastructure problems, and identify and defend against internal and external threats. Students will practice their skills in a cyber defense laboratory where hacker and defense teams compete against each other.
Student teams from other Baker College campuses have built a strong reputation at cyber defense competitions, winning several national, regional and state championships. Graduates of those programs are highly sought by employers in Michigan and nationwide.
The hemodialysis patient care technician associate degree prepares graduates to sit for the national exam to become a certified hemodialysis technician. Technicians provide dialysis patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. This program is an addition to the already extensive list of the campus’ health sciences programs – including nursing, occupational therapy assistant, health information technology and therapeutic massage – in which approximately 60 percent of the students at Baker College of Allen Park are enrolled.
For more information about the new programs at Baker College of Allen Park, contact Steven Peterson in the admissions office at steven.peterson@baker.edu, (313) 425-3700 or (800) 767-4120, or visit www.baker.edu.
Baker College is a nonprofit private college that serves more than 28,000 students online and at campuses in Allen Park, Auburn Hills, Cadilac, Cass City, Clinton Township, Coldwater, Flint, Fremont, Jackson, Muskegon, Owosso and Port Huron. It grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs in business, health sciences, engineering, IT, education and human services.
More at www.baker.edu.