Baker College Cisco Healthcare IT Program Granted Approval

The accelerated Cisco Healthcare Information Technology certificate program at Baker College of Auburn Hills has been granted approval by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, students enrolled in the program are eligible for financial aid through the Department of Education.

"This is very exciting for Baker College and for our students," said Ken Piggott, Baker College of Auburn Hills dean of technology. "According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, our nation has a growing shortage of trained healthcare IT professionals. Through our newly approved accelerated program, we are able to address this shortage and provide an opportunity for students to earn a certificate in just three quarters of full-time study."

Normally it would take two academic school years to complete the program.

"We've doubled the number of weekly classes," said Piggott. "Therefore students who enroll for winter 2011 quarter will be able to complete their technical requirements and earn the required 60 credit hours by the end of August 2011."

The Cisco Healthcare Information Technology program is a partnership between Baker's Auburn Hills campus and the Cisco Network Academy. Cisco has created the curriculum, implemented Web resources, and is developing internship and job placement opportunities specific to the healthcare IT industry. Baker College of Auburn Hills instructors who teach the Cisco classes must be certified by the Cisco Network Academy.

Baker students enrolled in the program will focus on basic networking and Cisco skills, theoretical and practical knowledge of the healthcare IT network and healthcare terminology, working skills needed to design and support networks in a healthcare environment, knowledge about the security measures needed to protect the healthcare network, and understanding of wireless networks, configuration and implementation.

For more information about the accelerated Cisco Healthcare IT certificate program at Baker College of Auburn Hills, please contact Jan Bohlen at jan.bohlen@baker.edu or (248) 340-0600.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a non-profit higher education institution, serving more than 43,000 students on 12 campuses and in four satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration.

More at www.baker.edu.  

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