Pima Community College offers three new certificate programs for fall 2007

June 18, 2007

Pima Community College will offer three new certificate programs for direct employment in medical assisting, apparel merchandising and retail management beginning fall 2007.

The medical assisting program will be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and consist of 29 credit hours, which may be offered through individual classes or contracted with local facilities.

Medical assistants are responsible for recordkeeping, customer service, scheduling, taking vital signs in EKGs, venipuncture and other duties.

Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the national certification exam given by the American Association of Medical Assistants.

PCC will offer a certificate for direct employment in apparel merchandising, which will include specialized courses in apparel marketing, clothing history and design, fashion trends, the apparel supply chain and an internship.

The program is ideal for industry workers who want to improve their skills and chances for advancements, as well as recent high school graduates looking to begin a career in apparel and fashion merchandising.

The retail management program is geared toward students pursuing management levels in grocery and other retail businesses. The program will be offered evenings and online and combine business, management and computer science coursework.

In the past, the program was offered in partnership with the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) and as such, courses were limited only to students within the association. Next fall, the program will be open to anyone.

PCC joins more than 100 community colleges nationwide in offering the retail management certificate.

For more information on the medical assisting, apparel merchandising or retail management certificate programs, call the college at (520) 206-4500.

PRESS CONTACT: David Irwin, Executive Director for Public Information, (520) 206-4528