Tyler Junior College is set to launch three new programs this fall, encompassing two certificate programs, two new associate’s degrees and its second bachelor’s level degree.

On Monday, the college announced they have been approved to offer their second bachelor’s degree for the school’s Healthcare Technologies program. They also launched the website for a new cu linary arts program.

TJC received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the college’s proposed Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Healthcare Technologies and Medical Systems on Thursday.

The new BAT Completion Program adds the expertise in health care systems management, finance, medical staff roles and responsibilities, reimbursement mechanisms, electronic medical recording and privacy and legal issues related to the health care industry.

The degree builds on, and is a completion degree, for TJC’s current Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare Administration, which trains for the practical skills needed in critical thinking, information utilization and fundamental competencies in health care management principles.

Juan Mejia, TJC president for branch locations and district provost, said the new degree plan also will provide a pathway for students interested in UT Health Science Center’s Master of Public Health degree, which launched in January 2017.

The college said a baccalaureate-prepared health care manager is a critical professional who uses advanced management principles for health care facilities, technological innovation in the delivery of health care services, health information processing technology and understanding of government regulations to ensure high quality and affordable health care.

Mejia said the college is focus ing its bachelor’s level programs on areas of need in the region. He said they don’t intend to duplicate any programs that local colleges such as UT Tyler and Texas College currently offer.

“As we look at future degrees, we’ll look at what our area needs,” Mejia said. “Our research office is looking at a lot of data. We want to measure a lot before we cut.”

The college hopes to offer students pathways to success beyond

the classroom.

“We’re a big fan of removing glass ceilings. Can your degree move you to the next level?” Mejia said. “The absence of these degrees creates a glass ceiling.”

With just three weeks left before fall classes are set to begin, Mejia said TJC is strategizing for a delayed launch for the Healthcare Technologies and Culinary programs.

Through partnerships with the Tyler Area Business Council and other partners in the area, TJC identified the two areas as among the highest-demand jobs in the region.

Texas Workforce Commission lists medical and health service managers as the fifth most-needed occupation, with more than 875 job openings in Smith County last year. In the East Texas region, there is a projected 30 percent increase in medical and health care services management positions over the next 10 years.

Mejia said the culinary program will focus not only on cooking, but also running a restaurant in order to equip graduates with the skills they need to run or own a business.

The Culinary Arts programs will launch with three areas of focus: a Culinary Arts Associate of Arts degree, a Basic Culinary Certificate program and a Pastry Arts Certificate program.

With local school districts launching culinary programs in recent years, TJC hopes to create opportunities for dual credit with those schools.

Tyler ISD’s Culinary Arts program is one of the most popular courses at the district’s Career and Technology Center, but students don’t have a local pathway to continue their pursuit of a career in the field.

“It’s not fair to our students to say, ‘If you want this degree, you need to drive two hours to get it,'” Mejia said.

Mejia said the college is in the process of designing portions of the Pirtle Technology Center to accommodate the course, with a commercial kitchen and dining area.

“They’ll be collaborating with food services in the cafe to have special nights and cuisines for their practicum,” Mejia said. “It will be very hands-on.”

TJC is one of the few Texas junior/community colleges with legislative designation, accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges and approval from the THECB to award specialized baccalaureate degrees. Only three other community colleges have received the designation: Brazosport, Midland College and South Texas College.

The College’s focus is to strategically proceed with degrees that align with local employer needs. TJC received Level II accreditation in 2016, and began offering a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene that year. The first three students graduated in December, with 10 more following in May.

The college does not yet have a firm start date for the new degrees, but students can begin speaking with academic advisers to enroll this fall.

The college also previously announced its new Associate of Applied Science degree in industrial maintenance technology for the fall.

Industrial Maintenance professor Link Worthen said the degree will train students to be a “jack-ofall-trades” in industrial settings, allowing graduates to find high paying jobs, applying a wide variety of skills and expertise to manage, equipment, electrical work, boiler operation, motor and transformer technology, HVAC principles and more.