By Holly Desrosier
Craven Community College (Craven CC) opened registration this week for new and returning students for the spring 2020 semester. The registration process is streamlined and simple: Students can register at the New Bern or Havelock campuses Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or current students can go online and use WebAdvisor to view the class listing and register quickly and easily.
With hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degree programs, the College’s diverse selection is sure to fit everyone’s educational aspirations. Whether working toward an associate degree or already enrolled at a four-year university and looking to earn a few extra credits, Craven CC students have a convenient and affordable selection of seated and online classes that can be finished in just eight, 10 or 16 weeks.
Spring 2020 also coincides with several of the college’s health programs enrollment periods. The Health Information Technology (HIT) program, Medical Assisting (MA) program and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program are all accepting applications from Feb. 1 through April 30, 2020. Each of these health programs is nationally accredited.
“There are many great reasons to earn a degree now in the health field, especially in HIT, MA and PTA,” said Dr. Alec Newton, dean of health programs. “Between 2018 and 2028, there is a projected growth of 11% to 28% in these fields. Healthcare is so much more than just helping people who need surgery or have an infection.”
Students in the HIT program will learn skills incorporating clinical, information technology, leadership and management skills. HIT graduates work with computers and data analysis to help clinics get paid correctly, make sure every patient is getting the care they need and deserve, look for patterns where improvement is possible and help track trends for cancer research.
“Most people think HIT is all about billing and insurance, but they also track diseases and cancers, or do data analysis so healthcare providers know what is going on in their practice,” said Newton.
The MA program teaches students a versatile skillset, enabling them to assist medical professionals across almost every ambulatory healthcare setting and work with patients at nearly every stage of care. Job duties include drawing blood, administering injections, helping with exams and assisting with billing and collections.
“MAs are working everywhere from urgent cares and pediatric offices to pain management clinics,” said Newton. “I even know ones who are office managers that earned their MBA online while they were working.”
PTAs play a vital part in helping patients achieve optimal physical function. Students in the PTA program will learn how to improve quality of life for patients through providing neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercises and joint/soft tissue mobilization to patients recovering from strokes or sports injuries.
“PTAs help people get their quality of life back after a trauma, or help someone with a neurological disorder keep their mobility,” added Newton.
Each applicant must apply to Craven CC before applying to any health programs, as they will need an established college email address for the application process. They will also need official transcripts on file for any other colleges attended, as well as copies of vaccination records after being accepted into a program. Each program is competitive and has limited enrollment, so acceptance is based on a specific points system. Since graduates pass a national certification exam and can work in any state, earning a degree at Craven CC opens many possibilities within the community and nationwide.
No matter which program a student selects, financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Anyone interested is encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of students applying each year for the FAFSA and scholarships,” said Zomar Peter, dean of student services. “Not only can they be filled out online, but they can provide monetary assistance to students who would otherwise be unable to begin or continue their education.”
Online registration will be open through Friday, Jan. 10 while in-person registration continues through Saturday, Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Regular and A-Term classes start on Monday, Jan. 13. The college also offers Flex-Term classes that start Feb. 11 and B-Term classes beginning March 11.
For more information on Craven CC’s health programs, contact healthcare@cravencc.edu or visit www.cravencc.edu/academics/degrees/health.
For more information on fall registration, contact the New Bern campus at 252-638-7200, the Havelock campus at 252-444-6005 or visit www.cravencc.edu.
This article was originally published in the New Bern Sun Journal on November 13, 2019.