Ozarks Technical Community College will soon offer a new two-year degree thanks to a $95,703 grant from The Missouri Foundation for Health. Beginning in the spring of 2017, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support through OTC’s Allied Health department.
The new program was developed through targeted discussions with the Missouri Department of Health, the Missouri Coalition of Community Health Centers, and OTC Allied Health and academic representatives.
“We are working closely with community leaders to develop a course curriculum that best aligns with the needs of our mental health community,” said Dr. Sherry Taylor, dean of Allied Health. “Our new degree program will offer students the skills needed to obtain entry-level positions in human service agencies, rehabilitation centers, transitional housing or correctional facilities.”
OTC currently offers an Associate of Arts in Behavioral Science, which prepares students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions to pursue bachelor’s degrees in psychology, criminology, social work or similar fields of study. The new A.A.S. in Behavioral Health Support is intended to prepare students who plan to immediately enter the workforce in clinical settings.
OTC’s Allied Health department is a nationally recognized leader in allied health education. The department offers 13 accredited health care programs, as well as a 2,000 square foot simulation center. Ninety-eight percent of OTC Allied Health students find gainful employment within six months of graduation.
To learn more about OTC’s Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support, contact the Allied Health office at 417-447-8803 or alliedhealth@otc.edu.
