CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – John Tyler Community College now offers additional options for students interested in pursuing careers and credentials in manufacturing, health care, the performing arts, or unmanned aircraft systems. Starting this fall, the college’s major list includes an Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing Technology, an Associate of Fine Arts in Theatre, and an Associate of Fine Arts in Theatre with a Technical Theatre Specialization, as well as Career Studies Certificates in Massage Therapy and Nurse Aide/Medication Aide.
The Advanced Manufacturing Technology program expands on Tyler’s advanced manufacturing offerings and was developed to help meet workforce demand. Tyler worked closely with its business and industry partners on the development of the program, which blends manufacturing concepts and business principles to prepare students for jobs as team leader, supervisor, foreman, and advanced manufacturing technician. Students pursuing the Advanced Manufacturing Technology degree will gain general knowledge and technical foundation skills in the areas of quality control, rapid prototyping, lean production technologies, supply chain management, and computer integrated manufacturing. The program provides a continuing education pathway for students in Tyler’s Basic Precision Machining, Computer Numerical Control (CNC), and Industrial Electricity majors and provides opportunities for new students with prior work experience who want to move into management-level positions. It is based at Tyler’s Chester Campus, which houses state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing labs, and is part of Tyler’s Division of Engineering, Business and Public Services (804-706-5121).
The Theatre and Technical Theatre programs offer students options to explore two distinct areas of the performing arts. The Theatre degree is designed for students interested in acting. The program includes four semesters of acting classes, as well as classes focused on movement; voice and speech for the actor; makeup for actors; theatre history; and dramatic literature. Students in the program can build on their theatre education with electives in film acting, improvisation, and technical theatre. The Technical Theatre program helps students build skills in the many behind-the-scenes crafts needed to produce a theatrical performance. Students in this program will gain experience in costume, sets, props, lighting, sound, and front of house responsibilities. Both programs are associate of fine arts degrees, which are designed to more smoothly transfer into bachelor of fine arts programs. Tyler’s Theatre programs are based at the college’s Midlothian Campus, which is home to The Lynn Theatre, a black-box theatre outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and surrounded by prop, costume, make-up and other support spaces. The programs are part of Tyler’s Division of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (804-594-1509).
The Massage Therapy program was launched in response to industry demand and is designed to prepare students for the National Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination. Graduates of the program who complete the examination can apply for a massage therapy license and then work in hospitals, physical therapy centers, chiropractic offices, nursing homes, wellness spas, exercise facilities, and massage franchise offices. Students enrolled in Tyler’s Massage Therapy program will study anatomy and physiology; theory and practice of massage therapy; business practices; and techniques including Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, prenatal, and infant massage. The program also offers students practical experience in on-campus labs and through internship opportunities. The Massage Therapy program is primarily based at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus and is part of the Division of Mathematics, Natural and Health Sciences (804-594-1500).
The Nurse Aide/Medication Aide program prepares students for entry-level jobs as nurse aides and for occupational progression to become a medication aide. Students enrolled in the program learn medical terminology, skills for health care technicians, medication administration, and advanced skills for nurse aides. Students also will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by spending time providing clinical care at area long-term-care facilities. The education offered through this program will prepare students for the Virginia Board of Nursing’s occupational exams for Certified Nursing Assistant and Registered Medication Aide. The Nurse Aide/Medication Aide program is primarily based at Tyler’s Nursing Education Center and is part of the Division of Mathematics, Natural and Health Sciences (804-622-8700).
In addition to these programs, Tyler is adding a new course that prepares students for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Remote Pilot Certificate. The course, UMS 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Remote Pilot Ground School, teaches students regulations; flight restrictions; emergency procedures; maintenance and inspection procedures; and other aspects of operating a small unmanned aircraft system. Once students complete the two-credit course, they can sit for the FAA exam to obtain their certificate. Information about class times may be found online at www.jtcc.edu/schedule.
To learn more about these new programs and Tyler’s other majors, including courses required for each program, visit www.jtcc.edu/majors. Students interested in starting these or other programs at Tyler can sign up for fall classes now. The fall semester begins August 27 and includes 15-week, 12-week, and 8-week classes and courses taught on campus, online or in a hybrid format (partially online and partially on campus). A full list of fall courses may be found at www.jtcc.edu/schedule. Current Tyler students may sign up online using the Student Information Center in their myTyler accounts. New students ready to get started at Tyler may fill out an application of admission online by going to www.jtcc.edu and clicking on “Apply Now” at the top of the screen. There is no application fee.
John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 13,900 students during the 2016-17 academic year. It also assisted nearly 6,000 learners and more than 200 companies and organizations through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.