What opportunities for college does a working person have? How can someone fit college classes into an already packed 40-hour — or more — work week? How can a parent, single or married, attend college and not worry about leaving their family alone too much?

Many people want college degrees but feel strapped by jobs or family commitments. East Mississippi Community College is striving to meet the needs of all potential students, not just those who can attend classes during “normal” hours.

One-year certificates and two-year degrees are becoming more and more accessible as online offerings increase. At EMCC, the Business and Office Technology Department now offers a certificate or degree in office systems technology and medical office technology via online classes. For students whose schedules do not permit enrollment and participation in on-campus classes, the option of online classes is now a reality.

Office systems technology and medical office technology are the only career/technical programs available purely through online classes. While these programs are taught on-campus as well, many students with other demands on their time find that they can still attend college and earn a degree without having to sit in a classroom each day.

Tiffany Webster, an online student, will graduate in December with a medical office technology degree.

“As a full-time mother with two young children, the online classes at EMCC have given me a chance to earn my degree,” Webster said. “Without this opportunity I would not have been able to earn a degree that will further my career. I would highly recommend online classes to anyone unable to attend traditional on-campus classes.”

The office systems technology program provides training in administrative office procedures, integrated computer applications, business financial systems, communication and related technologies.

The medical office technology program prepares students to work in office positions in hospitals, doctors’ offices, health clinics, insurance companies and other health-related organizations. Students will develop skills using medical terminology, accounting, transcription, coding and computer software applications.

Business and office technology is a two-year program which requires courses in the career technical core, designated areas of concentration, and the academic core — leading ultimately to an associate of applied science degree. Successful completion of the first year of the office systems technology program entitles a student to receive an office assistant certificate.

Kim Culpepper is a recent EMCC graduate who works as a medical staff assistant at Oktibbeha County Hospital.

“The skills that I have learned from the medical office technology program at EMCC helped me not only get my job at Oktibbeha County Hospital, it also helped me know how to get the job done,” Culpepper said. “The online courses made it convenient to balance work and family and still be able to accomplish my goal of working in the medical field.”

The curriculum complies with the National Standards for Business Education, the Registered Health Information Administrator Competency Statements, the American Association for Medical Transcription Exam Specifications for Certified Medical Transcriptionist and the American Health Information Management Association Certified Coding Associate Competency Statements.

With a current enrollment of 181, these programs have both grown in the last few years. Of the 181 enrolled, 115 are on-campus students and the remaining 66 are online students. This year’s freshman class is one of the largest classes in the history of these programs.





WANT TO KNOW MORE?



Preregistration for spring classes at East Mississippi

Community College continues until Nov. 16. Students can also register Jan. 7-8; late registration is Jan. 9-18.

If you are interested in the office systems technology and medical office technology programs, call EMCC instructors Zelma Fulgham, Trina Dendy or Jodi Pierce at (662) 243-1900.