St. Petersburg College (SPC) has launched three new bachelor’s degrees aimed at addressing the evolving needs of the workforce and providing students with advanced career opportunities. The new programs are in Cardiopulmonary Science, Digital Media, and Secondary English Education.
Cardiopulmonary Science Bachelor of Science Degree: The new Cardiopulmonary Science Bachelor of Science Degree is designed to meet the growing demand for highly skilled respiratory therapists. With hospitals increasingly seeking practitioners with baccalaureate degrees for bedside clinical roles, this program prepares students for advanced credentials in neonatal, pediatric, and adult critical respiratory care. It also focuses on leadership, management, education, and research. Program Director Steven Hardt explains, “As the profession is becoming more complex, the higher degree is necessary”, emphasizing the importance of advanced qualifications in the field.
Secondary English Education Bachelor of Science Degree: The Secondary English Education Bachelor of Science Degree is tailored to address Florida's critical teacher shortage, particularly in middle and high school English education. This program includes endorsements in Reading and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), making graduates more marketable and well-prepared for careers in teaching. Heather Duncan, Dean of SPC’s College of Education, noted that the program will help fill vital teaching gaps in the state, especially in the areas of reading and ESOL instruction.
Digital Media Bachelor of Applied Science: The Digital Media Bachelor of Applied Science is focused on employability, aiming to provide graduates with the stability that freelance work often lacks. “As creatives, we all work in the gig economy at some point”, says Barbara Hubbard, SPC’s Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Design. This degree prepares students for leadership roles in digital media, art direction, and marketing, equipping them to manage creative teams and projects skills highly sought after by businesses today.
These new programs reflect SPC’s commitment to adapting to workforce needs and providing students with the tools to succeed in their careers.
