Howard Community College is launching new programs in public health and virtual business management.

Beginning in fall 2009, the college will be the first two-year institution in the country to offer an associate of arts degree in public health. HCC's program, focused on disease and injury prevention, is intended for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges to complete a bachelor's degree in public health. The curriculum is in line with the Health Administration and Policy Program at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

The field of public health includes the disciplines of epidemiology, biostatistics, health services, environmental health, behavioral health and occupational health. Public health officials and organizations play a role in surveying disease outbreaks, health screenings and risk assessments.

HCC's transfer degree program in public health was spearheaded by Jeanette Jeffrey, an HCC associate professor and an adjunct faculty member at UMBC.

The program will debut in the fall semester with the course "Introduction to Public Health," offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. For a complete description of the degree program and all courses, go to the HCC Web site at www.howardcc.edu or contact Jeffrey at 410-772-4783 or jeffrey@howardcc.edu.

The college's other new offering, "Management in the Virtual Environment," will address the needs of the virtual office in the face of globalization and advanced technology.

The program is part of the college's Business Management credit program, through which students earn an associate's degree in applied science or a certificate of proficiency. Individual courses also may be taken for credit, audited, or as noncredit continuing education.

The program will cover the terminology, concepts and applications of virtual technology tools, and skills necessary to compete in an increasingly computer- and Web-based business world. Courses include: Protecting the Virtual Office, Web 2.0 Tools for Successful Business, Building Virtual Communities for Business, Taking Your Business Mobile.

For more information about the business program, contact Professor Rose Volynskiy at 410-772-4114 or rvolynskiy@howardcc.edu.

For HCC enrollment and registration, go to www.howardcc.edu or call 410-772-4856.

— Jennifer Broadwater

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