Georgia Military College Implements New Degree Programs Across Campuses

Staff Report

Friday, August 28th, 2020

The 2020-2021 academic year at Georgia Military College is an exciting one, as GMC has implemented three new degree programs – with a fourth pending approval by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Beginning this fall, GMC will offer two new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Allied Health and Technical Studies, and a new Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Healthcare Management. Pending SACSCOC approval, a BAS degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management is planned for implementation later this academic year.

“It is important for Georgia Military College to continue to investigate ways to expand its degree offerings,” said GMC Associate Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Derek Stone. “Additional degree programs allow GMC students to continue to pursue associate-level degrees in relevant fields, as well as provide additional pathways for them to obtain their four-year degree through GMC’s Bachelor of Applied Science Degree programs.”

The AAS in Allied Health Science degree program is designed to prepare students for entry in positions in health careers or supporting roles. Students will complete a liberal arts education in general studies, combined with a focus on biological sciences. Students will demonstrate skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and contemporary issues related to healthcare.

The Technical Studies degree program is designed to educate students in written communication, quantitative skills, global literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving in order to enable them to succeed at a transfer institution and as citizens. This degree program is specifically open to students who have already completed a minimum of 15 semester hours or 22.5 quarter hours of technical or occupational coursework that can be used as transfer credit in the degree program concentration.

The BAS in Healthcare Management degree program is designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare management and related fields. Students who have earned an AAS degree will have the opportunity to continue their education and prepare for advancement opportunities within their healthcare field of study. The curriculum includes courses that will provide a solid understanding of healthcare management for today’s healthcare industry environment. The program is designed to aid and develop the potential of graduates to be successful in the field of healthcare management. Students wishing to enroll in this degree program need to have a healthcare-related AAS degree or have the requisite technical/occupational coursework in a healthcare-related field.

The BAS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management program is planned to be implemented in the Winter of 2021, pending SACSCOC approval. The degree program provides foundational knowledge and exposure to the Emergency Management field. Students explore a variety of areas within this discipline, including the four phases of emergency management, terrorism in emergency management, as well as interagency disaster management. This concentration is designed for students seeking entry- level exposure to the emergency management field, as well as for professionals in industries such as fire science, homeland security, and EMT administration who are seeking to bolster their emergency management background. Students wishing to enroll in this degree program need to have a criminal justice or emergency management-related AAS degree or have the requisite technical/occupational coursework in a criminal justice or emergency management-related field.

Since launching its Bachelor of Applied Science degree program offerings in 2017, GMC has consistently grown its number of BAS graduates over the years. This summer, GMC celebrated 55 BAS graduates, doubling the number of last years. One graduate was GMC’s 100th BAS graduate, Jocelyn Dixon. Dixon graduated with her degree in Supervision and Management from Georgia Military Global Online College. The BAS program continues to grow in offerings to students across the state of Georgia and nationally through the Global Online College.

For more information on GMC’s degree programs, visit https://www.gmc.edu.