Johnson College Announces New Two-Year Associates Degree Program

Students can enroll in Johnson College’s new two-year Civil Design Technology associates degree program launching during the spring 2022 semester.

This two-year associate degree program prepares students as entry-level technicians in the field of civil engineering. This program provides the foundation for applying basic engineering principles and technical skills to support civil engineers engaged in designing and executing public works projects such as highways, dams, bridges, tunnels, and other facilities. The program also emphasizes professional interpersonal skills.

Students will acquire the skills necessary to obtain an entry-level position in the civil design field, which has a 3% growth potential through 2029 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  They will also demonstrate professional behavior and ethics to meet work challenges and develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Graduates will work as civil designers, CAD technicians, survey technicians, design engineering technicians, or similar roles in the civil engineering industry and have the opportunity to make a medium annual income of up to $53,410. Typical employers in the civil design career field are civil design and engineering firms, structural engineering companies, environmental engineering firms, surveyors, consulting firms, construction companies, and government design agencies.

“The launch of the Civil Design Technology program is a great example of how Johnson College continues to answer industry demand for highly skilled technicians,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, Johnson College President & CEO. “The College will work with industry partners to ensure our Civil Design Technology students are introduced to industry from day one and get the hands-on education needed for this in-demand career.”

To learn more about Johnson College’s new Civil Design Technology Program visit Johnson.edu/civildesign.

Johnson College Accepting Students for CNC Machining Training at Don’s Machine Shop

In conjunction with Don’s Machine Shop in West Pittston, Johnson College is now accepting students for its next CNC Machining training in Luzerne County. The course begins Monday, November 1, 2021. During this course, students will train to program and utilize Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. All class and lab work is completed inside Don’s Machine Shop’s classroom and lab at 100 Elm Street, West Pittston.

The relationship with Don’s Machine Shop truly demonstrates Johnson College’s dedication to making industry our students’ campus. This 510-hour class for beginner-level students includes theory as well as practical learning methods. Students will receive hands-on training on some of the most state-of-the-art equipment in the region. This unique training experience will open up new career opportunities right away.

Industries throughout northeastern Pennsylvania are currently in need of well-trained CNC machinists. CNC machinists manufacture precision products and components used in various applications such as automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace, transportation, and military-related industries. Per the Bureau of Labor Statics, metal and plastic machine workers, including CNC Machinists, have the opportunity to earn a median annual income of up to $38,270.

Cost for the CNC training class is $7,500 and funding sources may be available for those who qualify. Space is limited. To learn more or to enroll, contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu

Since starting over 30 years ago, Don’s Machine Shop, Inc. has become one of the largest machine shops in Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. Their 77,000 square foot climate-controlled facility contains millions of dollars’ worth of modern equipment that is continually upgraded. Don’s Machine Shop, Inc. employs 30 people and makes machine parts for companies around the globe. Many things have changed over the past three decades, but Don’s Machine Shop’s commitment to providing quality parts and service will never change. For more information, visit http://www.donsmachine.com/

Johnson College Signs Articulation Agreement for Veterinary Nursing Program with University of Missouri

Johnson College has signed an articulation agreement with the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, for the College’s Veterinary Nursing program. The agreement provides students who earn a two-year Veterinary Nursing associate degree at Johnson College with the opportunity to transfer all 74 credits earned through the program into the University of Missouri’s Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology program.

Qualifying students will graduate from Johnson College’s Veterinary Nursing program with at least a 2.5 GPA. Students transferring through the articulation agreement must pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to earn their national certified veterinarian technician license. They must receive a score of at least 425.

Graduates of the Veterinary Nursing program at Johnson College enter the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine with a junior-year standing in the Veterinary Technology Bachelor of Science program.

“Creating this agreement gives our Veterinary Nursing students a new pathway to a bachelor’s of science degree to help them advance in their careers,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. “Our students will use the strong values and hands-on training they received at Johnson College as they continue on their academic journey at the University of Missouri.”

“We began developing our bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology program more than two years ago to help remediate the national shortage of veterinary technicians,” said University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Carolyn J. Henry, DVM, MS. “It’s gratifying to now be able to form partnerships with institutions like Johnson College, which share our vision of providing an opportunity for skilled, experienced technicians to further their education while continuing to work.”

Johnson College Receives Grant

Johnson College has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation. The grant will support the College’s “Widening the Pipeline for a Trained Healthcare Workforce” project designed to increase the pool of qualified, well-trained health care workers for our area. 

Johnson College will establish a mobile training laboratory to provide a hands-on experience for potential students to see and feel what it is like to work in the health care field. This positive and highly visible project will provide an interactive way to share career information. With a focus on engaging non-traditional students, Johnson College will show participants various paths to meet their educational training needs. Johnson College offers pathways to health care careers with associate degree programs such as physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology, and biomedical equipment technology as well as continuing education programs..

Regionally, there are several successful STEM-related pipeline programs serving middle and high school students. With this new program, Johnson College will widen that pipeline to include non-traditional students who represent diverse age, economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. These potential students include displaced workers due to COVID-19, non-English speaking individuals, those who want/need to return to the workforce post-retirement or family, and those dissatisfied with their current career path.

“We are excited to offer this new experience and information to people from all around NEPA and beyond, and to bring it directly to them,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. “Our goal with the mobile lab is to show the region that a career in health care is attainable no matter who you are or what your current situation may be. We want to give people a taste of what hands-on education at Johnson College is like. We continuously strive to be the leaders in hands-on education and meet the workforce needs of NEPA.”

For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Johnson College Renames Its Veterinary Technology Program to Veterinary Nursing

Johnson College has renamed its two-year Veterinary Technology Associate in Science Degree Program to Veterinary Nursing. Johnson College joins a movement within the Veterinary Science industry, being the 11th college and university to rename its Veterinary Technology program.

This name change more accurately describes the nature of the program and better aligns it with the skills needed in the Veterinary Science field.

Veterinary Nursing will continue to be a two-year associate degree program preparing students to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam. In addition, students earn the credentials required to become entry-level Veterinary technicians. Last year, 100% of this program’s graduates who took the VTNE passed. Currently, the College has a three-year Veterinary Technician National Exam average pass rate of 94%.

“We are incredibly excited about this change and look forward to watching our graduates succeed in the Veterinary Technology industry,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College’s Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this industry has a 16% Growth potential through 2029.”

As technicians, graduates collect samples, perform lab tests, take radiographs, prepare the surgical suite, assist in surgery, monitor anesthesia, and provide general nursing care to patients. Second-year students in the program will still be required to complete clinical rotations in the on-campus Animal Care Center.

For more information about Johnson College’s Veterinary Nursing program visit Johnson.edu or contact the Johnson College Enrollment team at 570-702-8556 or enroll@johnson.edu.

Johnson College Now Offering Automotive Paid Internship Opportunity

Johnson College is offering an Automotive industry-driven career exploration experience to high school students enrolled in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). This program will be held from July 26 through August 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Johnson College campus and industry partner locations. Students will have an opportunity to dive into a college experience and develop skills to prepare them for success on and off a college campus. They will also receive exposure to the automotive industry through a paid internship program.  

The second week of the program will run from 9 a.m. to noon and will take place at different industry partner locations allow students to shadow local automotive industries and gain first-hand knowledge and experience.

For more information and to register, email Tim Frank, Academic Program Specialist at Johnson College, at tfrank@johnson.edu. This event is free for students enrolled in the OVR program.

For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu. 

Johnson College Offers Program to OVR High School Students

Johnson College is offering an Automotive industry-driven career exploration experience to high school students enrolled in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). This program will be held from July 26 through August 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Johnson College campus and industry partner locations. Students will have an opportunity to dive into a college experience and develop skills to prepare them for success on and off a college campus. They will also receive exposure to the automotive industry. 

The second week of the program will run from 9 a.m. to noon and will take place at different industry partner locations allow students to shadow local automotive industries and gain first-hand knowledge and experience.

For more information and to register, email Tim Frank, Academic Program Specialist at Johnson College, at tfrank@johnson.edu. This event is free for students enrolled in the OVR program.

Johnson College Immersive College Experience Program

Johnson College is offering an Immersive College Experience to high school students enrolled in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). This program will be held from July 19 through July 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Johnson College campus. Students will gain knowledge about the college application process, financial aid, how to succeed on and off a college campus, and will participate in STEM activities.

The interactive STEM activities will provide a learning experience that fosters creativity while teaching invaluable technical skills. They will include an introduction to programming, robotics, coding, and other aspects of STEM.

For more information and to register, email Tim Frank, Academic Program Specialist at Johnson College at tfrank@johnson.edu. This event is free for students enrolled in the OVR program.

Johnson College to Host an Open House

Johnson College will hold an in-person Open House on its campus in Scranton on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. To register for the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for a majority of programs; if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted, and department chairs will be available to review the specifics of their programs. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and face coverings must be worn at all times while on campus.

For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.