Holyoke Community College

As our society grows more and more aware of the toll that addiction takes on individuals, families, and communities, the need for trained professionals in the field of addictions steadily grows. The Addiction Studies Certificate provides students with foundational knowledge in psychology, human services, addictions, and substance abuse. Courses in this program will apply towards the educational requirements for professional certification. Additional requirements, including documented supervised hours of practice, will be needed in order to complete the certification process.

The Human Services Certificate is appropriate for those considering a career change into the Human Services field as well as those in the field who may want to upgrade their skills and knowledge. It is also part of a career ladder leading toward the Associate Degree in Human Services/Social Work Transfer. The program offers an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills which will enable individuals to work in a variety of areas. There are specialization courses from which students may select, depending on their areas of interest.

Opportunities in human services are available in human service agencies, community action programs, community organizing, day care centers, educational settings, community health settings, work with the elderly, correctional facilities, substance abuse programs, and with those individuals who may have emotional, physical, or developmental disabilities.

This program provides students with a broad academic background in criminal justice and the opportunity to develop the skills needed for pursuing a career in public service or the private sector, or transfer to a four-year institution, in a learning environment which embraces academic excellence, diversity, and professionalism.

Graduates of this program more than satisfy the course and experience requirements for "teacher" status in programs licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC).

The Forensic Science Certificate is designed for those already in law enforcement who are interested in learning new technology and skills, or for incoming students who are not ready to enter a degree program. A Forensic Science Certificate will better prepare existing law enforcement personnel for advancement in the field and hopeful law enforcement personnel for entry into a highly competitive field.

Students will, upon successful completion of the program, be prepared for employment in the clean energy sector or transfer to a four year institution. This degree will transfer to a number of area colleges and universities in clean energy programs as well as the iCONS (Integrated Concentration in Science - clean energy track) program at UMASS Amherst.

Students will learn about all types of sustainable energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. They will learn how to use specialized equipment and monitor energy usage. Hands-on experience will be provided in the internship as well as the labs to acquaint the students with the necessary equipment and technologies.

Students will, upon successful completion of the program, be prepared for employment in the clean energy sector or transfer to a four year institution. This degree will transfer to a number of area colleges and universities in clean energy programs as well as the iCONS (Integrated Concentration in Science - clean energy track) program at UMASS Amherst.

Students will learn about all types of sustainable energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. They will learn how to use specialized equipment and monitor energy usage. Hands-on experience will be provided in the internship as well as the labs to acquaint the students with the necessary equipment and technologies.

Students will, upon successful completion of the program, be prepared for employment in the clean energy sector or transfer to a four year institution. This degree will transfer to a number of area colleges and universities in clean energy programs as well as the iCONS (Integrated Concentration in Science - clean energy track) program at UMASS Amherst.

Students will learn about all types of sustainable energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. They will learn how to use specialized equipment and monitor energy usage. Hands-on experience will be provided in the internship as well as the labs to acquaint the students with the necessary equipment and technologies.

This two-year program prepares students to enter the field of computer programming in an entry-level position, or transfer to a four-year computer science program.

This two-year program prepares students to enter the field of Information Technology in an entry-level position, or transfer to a four-year CIS, MIS, or IT program.

This certificate is designed to provide students with a hands-on working knowledge of how businesses store, maintain and share vast amounts of information and focuses upon the technical aspects of maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing computer and network systems, including analyzing and finding solutions to problems experienced by individual computer users.

This two-year degree program prepares students to enter the field of Computer User Support in an entry-level position, and to take industry certification exams such as A+.

With the world making the move to become a truly digital society, we can now see the cracks that exist within today’s technology. Without cyber security professionals, the world would be at the mercy of cyber criminals.

With the world making the move to become a truly digital society, we can now see the cracks that exist within today’s technology. Without cyber security professionals, the world would be at the mercy of cyber criminals.

This certificate will allow students to have a knowledge of current digital security concerns and solutions in the world, gained through hands-on learning in the classroom, while allowing them to continue on with their education if so chosen.

This two-year program prepares students to enter the field of Information Technology in an entry-level position, or transfer to a four-year CIS, MIS, or IT program.

This two-year program prepares students to enter the field of Information Technology in an entry-level position, or transfer to a four-year CIS, MIS, or IT program.

The Culinary Arts Certificate Program prepares students for various types of cooking positions in the diverse field of foodservice. The program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation, and HCC is the only Massachusetts community college with this certification. The Certificate serves as the first year to HCC’s A.S. in Foodservice Management, as well as preparing students to go on to culinary degree-granting institutions such as Johnson & Wales University, the Culinary Institute of America, and New England Culinary Institute.

The A.A.S. in Culinary Arts provides a degree-earning pathway for students who have completed the Certificate in Culinary Arts.

The A.A.S. builds upon fundamental culinary techniques and principles developed in the certificate program and provides academic instruction in general education.

Students graduating with an A.A.S. are positioned for professional growth within the food service industry. The A.A.S. in Culinary Arts is not designed as a transfer program.

Provides the first two years of a traditional engineering program, in which the student chooses a particular engineering field: Mechanical/Civil/Industrial, Electrical, or Computer Systems.

Provides the first two years of a traditional engineering program, in which the student chooses a particular engineering field: Mechanical/Civil/Industrial, Electrical, or Computer Systems.

Provides the first two years of a traditional engineering program, in which the student chooses a particular engineering field: Mechanical/Civil/Industrial, Electrical, or Computer Systems.

This option emphasizes environmental field investigation and includes strong laboratory preparation. Students gain an understanding of environmental science principles as they relate to the movement of contaminants through the ecosystem. Practical experience in the use of specialized sampling and analysis equipment and the methods to assess, control, and prevent environmental contamination are included. Wetland delineation, soil analyses, landfill characterization, and groundwater movement analysis are representative of field activities. Classroom work is supplemented and enriched by an environmental internship field experience. Graduates of this option are ideally suited for positions in government, industry, and consulting, which require field investigation or inspection and some laboratory analysis.

An integral part of this program is an internship/cooperative education field experience with an area industry, governmental agency, or environmental consulting firm. These positions, many of which are paid, allow students the opportunity to put theory into practice and to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to make informed career decisions, to set career goals, and to plan further educational experiences.

An interview with the program coordinator is required for acceptance into the Graphic Design Certificate program. Successful completion of the certificate will include the creation of a portfolio, which is required for transfer to upper-level studies leading to a BA or BFA degree and for entry-level graphics positions. The portfolio, along with the experiences gained in completing the curriculum, prepares the student for beginning a career in graphic design printing and publishing.

Our medical assistant program combines clinical as well as clerical courses that will enable students to assist in varied healthcare agencies. Excellent instructors teach students to perform health office phlebotomy and EKGs, check vital signs, administer injections, assist physicians with minor surgery and routine patient exams, and perform administrative duties.

The purpose of this certificate is to provide students the opportunity to learn and practice in the field of Medical Billing & Coding as an entry into the field of Health Information Management. Students will have the opportunity to perform medical billing and coding procedures in order to complete health insurance claims according to the requirements of the health insurance industry.

Upon completion of the certificate, students are prepared to work in physicians’ offices, long-term care facilities, insurance and billing departments, health information management departments, and hospitals.

HCC's nursing programs prepare professionals to care for people in all aspects of health. Students learn in the state-of-the-art Center for Health Education's multimedia-equipped classrooms and high-fidelity simulation labs. Our faculty members are skilled practitioners, teachers, and mentors who are dedicated to your success. Our community-centered approach combines liberal and technical education both within the college and in hands-on practicums at regional healthcare facilities.

Nursing is the art and science of caring. Nursing is an interpersonal process based on values, beliefs, and standards of the profession. Nursing is a profession which utilizes nursing knowledge and principles from the humanities and the biological, behavioral, and social sciences to assist individuals, groups, and communities in promoting, maintaining, and restoring health.

Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, are key members of the healthcare team who create images used to diagnose a patient's injury or illness. They use sophisticated equipment to produce radiographic images, or x-rays, of the human body at the request of a physician. With new advances in medical technology and a shortage of healthcare workers, career opportunities abound for radiologic technologists across the country!

A Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) is trained to handle many of the same responsibilities that a Registered Nurse (RN) and other professionals perform for physicians. Veterinary technicians serve roles as anesthetists, surgical technicians, radiology technicians, medical laboratory technicians, and veterinary dental hygienists. Veterinary technicians employed in specialty practices may become technician specialists in a variety of disciplines such as anesthesiology, internal medicine, nutrition, ophthalmology, emergency and critical care, dentistry, and zoological medicine, among others. These veterinary technician specialists are often involved in teaching and training other veterinary technicians and assistants as well as veterinary medical students during their clinical rotations.

Veterinary assistants support the veterinarian and the veterinary technician in their provision of healthcare and are trained to perform multiple tasks under the supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The veterinary assistant is trained to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the provision of preventative healthcare, in the collection and preparation of laboratory samples, in the restraint and handling of animals, in the feeding, exercise, and care of animals in the clinic, in keeping medical records, in client communication, and in the preparation of equipment and supplies for medical and surgical procedures.

Both veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants can work in a variety of animal healthcare settings, including small animal clinical practices, equine or large animal facilities, in zoo or wildlife medicine, in laboratory animal medicine, or in veterinary referral hospitals and specialty practices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of both veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.