The Little College Town That Could

The Little College Town That Could

by Karla Vierthaler

Harrisburg is not a college town. There is no massive institute of learning that employs and places thousands of people in our capital city.

But that is not to say that Harrisburg doesn’t offer its residents a quality education. Schools like Dixon University, Penn State Harrisburg, and the Thompson Institute offer students a functional education that fits into a busy lifestyle.

Where do I go?
If you live in Harrisburg and think you can’t find the time or resources to get a quality, advanced education, think again. Most area schools offer classes in the evening and weekends, and can put a degree in your hands in as little as eight months.

If you’re looking for a four-year degree, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) offers transferable credits and associate degrees at an affordable cost. Penn State Harrisburg tenders four-year degree programs and accept transferred credits from institutions like HACC.

Advanced degrees are offered at Dixon University, who schedule only weekend and evening classes for the busy professional. Duquesne University, a former affiliate of Dixon University, has opened their Capital Region Campus this year. The school offers both bachelors and masters degrees.

Other schools like the Academy of Medical Arts and Business, Central Penn College, and the Thompson Institute have specialized study programs that can put a student into the workforce after about a year of study.

What’s Hot Right Now?
What’s hot right now, you ask? What are employers begging for? What is you best study?

“Anything technology based is hot right now,” says Steve Hevener, a representative of Penn State Harrisburg.

“Career opportunities in technology continue to grow at a fast pace. We offer a bachelor’s degree on Saturdays, which includes concentrations in computer technology, leadership, and communication,” says Kelley Mahoney, director of marketing and communication for Duquesne. “Students choose two of the concentrations, providing a well-rounded education This bachelor’s degree can be obtained in four years by attending classes only on Saturdays, less time if the student has transfer credits.”

Tracy Mandosa of HACC says the schools hottest programs right now are computer information systems and computer training. Central Penn representative Bill Gray agrees, naming Computer Information Systems the hottest career track.

The medical field is also in dire need of nurses, and HACC’s program is quite popular right now. The Central Penn Business Journal recently featured an article on the shortage of nurses and the effects on hospitals.

Roy Hawkins, director of the Thompson Institute, says computer aided drafting is the hottest track right now. “We can’t find enough students to fill the classrooms,” he says of the program, which has a 100 percent placement rate. He also mentions digital arts as a growing field. “[The program] takes graphic art to the next level.”

Show me the Money
All this talk about education would be pointless if there was no payoff in the end. But there is, and the numbers are pretty impressive.

“A degree in computer network and administration can get you a $30,000 a year job,” says Hawkins. The program takes a mere 8 months, or 12 months of evening classes. Anything in the technology department can earn a graduate $22,000 to $35,000 a year, according to Hawkins.

Central Penn estimates the average salary for a Computer Information Systems graduate to be $40,000 to $45,000 per year, and averaging $225,000 after five years in the field.

Although Hevener had no monetary figures for Penn State Harrisburg graduates, he says, “students are being hired” that major in technology-based programs.

And nursing? Mandosa says that HACC nursing graduates are being hired at $30,000 to $40,000 a year. The Journal lists the average annual salary of a nurse to be $43,510.

What if I’m going back to school?
If you’re an adult debating whether or not to return to school, Harrisburg colleges and universities cater to help you reach your educational goals. Dixon University Center has nine affiliate schools using their facilities to offer various masters degrees. According to Dixon’s Barbara Moroney, classes at the college are exclusively held at night and on the weekends, and generally take two years to complete. The hottest programs right now is a Masters in library science offered by Clarion University, a Master of Arts in counseling psychology offered by Rosemont College, and a Master of Science in communicative disorders offered by West Chester University.

“This new location allows us to expand our offerings to adult students,” says Duquesne’s Mahoney. “New programs beginning this fall include a MBA, a MA in corporate communication, and an accelerated BSBA in accounting available entirely on Saturdays. These new offerings, combined with our existing Saturday bachelor’s degree with concentrations in computer technology, leadership and communication, and our evening master’s degree in environmental science and management, provide exciting educational opportunities for adults in Central Pennsylvania.”

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or a busy professional, if you want to go to school in Central Pennsylvania, there should be little holding you back. Check out our school directory. You’re sure to find a school in your area to fit your budget and dreams.