Introduction
Lake Michigan College (LMC) first opened their doors in 1946, and today the college continues to offer a wealth of opportunities for diversified educational exploration. In its storied past, the college made the transition to a comprehensive community college with degree-granting authority in 1965. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, LMC covers an expansive 5 county area which encompasses 8 regional campuses and satellite locations.
These extensive facilities, combined with a wide selection of courses, programs, and opportunities make LMC an ideal choice for undergraduates, transfers and returning students alike. While the college supports both degree and certificate-based programs, their most popular offerings are their various associate degrees. Available in more than 60 fields of study, their associate degree programs also make up the majority of their total student body. With this in mind, it is necessary to understand the general academic divisions that encompass the range of associate degree offerings at LMC.
These divisions lay claim to a wide array of different specialized areas. While some divisions are more inclusive, others are focused heavily on a particular area of study within a single field. Overall, each academic division helps to shape and craft the college’s distinct identity while providing its students with both depth and breadth of academic knowledge.
Business and Management
As the largest academic division in the college, the Business and Management division offers courses and degrees from the Associate of Arts and Sciences to the Associate of Applied Science in Business. This division is unique in that it is considered the most general area of the college, offering students a well-rounded education. Courses and degrees focus on accounting, marketing, hospitality, entrepreneurship, management, and small business.
Deans and department heads strive to make classes as interactive as possible and include field trips, hands-on activities, interviews with guest speakers, and real-world simulations throughout the course content. Faculty also provide students with cutting-edge methods and theories that are in line with current industry practice. The faculty at LMC is highly devoted to the overall success of their students and greatly believes in their individual abilities.
Computer Information Systems
This division conforms both the Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems and the Associate of Science in Computer Science programs. Founded with the idea of bringing the real-world of technology to the classroom, the Computer Information Systems division offers courses that are specifically designed to help students learn practical skills and abilities with the current network. Additionally, the Computer Science program caters to graduates who desire to combine their knowledge of technology with their talents for solving difficult problems using computer programming.
Courses in the Computer Information Systems division focus on topics such as web development, social media, graphic design, networking, security, and data science. In comparison, the Computer Science program places an emphasis on the fundamentals of structure programming, social computing, and problem-solving. With classes being constantly updated and real-world experiences being emphasized, students of the Computer Information Systems division and Computer Science program have an exceptional opportunity for professional growth.
Criminal Justice and Social Sciences
Offering courses within the Associate of Science and Associate of Arts and Sciences, the Criminal Justice and Social Science division prepares students for the challenges of a rapidly changing society that is constantly faced with issues of criminal justice and security. Along with the usual courses in psychology, sociology, and history, the division also provides programs that focus on forensic and security/intelligence studies.
Students enrolled in the division can expect to receive a comprehensive education in healthcare, law, security, and criminal justice. Throughout the academic program, professors are dedicated to the success of their students and encourage them to view concepts from multiple angles – whether through the application of the law and theory, or through the use of various advanced training techniques. The division’s comprehensive approach to education is designed to provide graduates with the necessary tools to face the realities of their environment and to affect positive change.
Health Sciences
This division convenes both the Associate of Applied Science in Health Sciences and the Associate of Science in Nursing degrees. An extensive division focusing on the overall health of individuals, LMC faculty strive to teach students about the human body and about the best methods for promoting wellness and health. With hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations present in the college’s diverse service area, the division strives to prepare students who are prepared to succeed in their respective field of profession.
Course material covers multiple topics such as healthcare administration, anatomy and physiology, biopsychology, nursing, nutrition, and physical therapy. Plus, the college’s unique partnership with Lakeland Health provides students with the opportunity to learn in a real-world setting. For graduate students wishing to pursue RN-to-BSN, LMC partners with various universities to help their students earn a bachelor’s degree while they pursue their professional careers.
Human Services
Firmly committed to providing its students with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to be successful in human services, the division offers an Associate of Arts and Sciences program with emphasis on topics ranging from corrections to social work. With an emphasis on fostering an appreciation for diversity and individual rights, the division’s undergraduate program offers students the opportunity to understand the role of human services professionals while learning the ethical and moral standards that are sometimes needed to address complicated social issues.
Students enrolled in the program have the opportunity to take courses in community development, advocacy, casework, research, and human services delivery. At the same time, students are taught to learn to think critically, develop methods for problem solving, recognize inconsistencies, and apply personal professional values. The program’s comprehensive approach covers all areas of the human services field to provide graduates with the experience and opportunity to affect positive change in the society.
Industrial Technology
Focusing on the needs of industrial digital and mechanical technology, the Industrial Technology division offers both the Associate of Arts and Sciences degree as well as the Associate of Applied Science degree. With courses focusing on core principles of robotics and industrial digital technology, LMC strives to teach students the most up-to-date techniques and equipment used in modern industry. Faculty strive to make the course material relevant so that it applies to industries or businesses that students are actively employed in or seeking to work for in the near future.
This is augmented by the college’s commitment to introducing industry-specific concepts that can be applied in the contemporary world. Additionally, the division focuses heavily on various supervised activities, lab projects, and computer-based simulation which are designed to help students develop an inherent understanding of the various concepts and theories that are necessary to be successful upon graduation.
Liberal Arts
A division that focuses on the various methods of liberal arts and humanities, the Liberal Arts division is designed to help students develop an understanding of the various disciplines that are useful in other areas. Delivering an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree program, the division supports a wide-range of core and elective courses that cover topics such as literature, fine arts, languages, sensitivity, quantitative reasoning, science, and social core humanities.
Specifically, this division offers courses in areas such as philosophy and religion, film, art, history, music, and communication. Faculty also strive to help students develop an understanding of the cultural and global contexts from which a particular topic originated. This approach helps graduates to draw insight and understanding from a variety of different cultural and social environments which helps them to gain a better appreciation for the traditional liberal arts.
Natural and Health Sciences
This division offers the Associate of Applied Science degree in a variety of fields including biology, chemistry, geology, and pre-health. Offering courses in the various sciences and health professions, the division strives to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge they need to be successful. Faculty focus heavily on the application of scientific knowledge in a practical setting and strive to teach the most current and up-to-date trends in the various fields of study.
In addition to the taught curriculum, faculty also offer a variety of field trips and hands-on activities to help students get a better feel for their since disciplines. These activities help to reinforce the course material and help students to gain a better understanding of the inner workings of their respective fields of study. This also helps to instill a greater appreciation for all that the natural and health sciences have to offer.
Skilled Trades and Professional Services
Working to support a variety of professional career tracks, the Skilled Trades and Professional Services division offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive and Motorcycle Technology, Cooking and Culinary Arts, HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration), Electrician, and Welding and Fabrication. With courses that focus on both hands-on as well as classroom instruction, the division strives to educate and prepare students who are serious and devoted to their individual career tracks.
Ranging from fundamental concepts to complex processes, faculty work with students to provide them with access to the kind of advanced tools and technology that is usually only available in a real-world setting. Course material is kept up-to-date with the industry trends so that each student is provided with the best possible instruction they could receive in a degree-granting program. Through well-crafted courses, the Skilled Trades and Professional Services division provides students with the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills necessary for a successful career in the professional world.
