NELSONVILLE, OH – Hocking College has received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission to move forward with the new cannabis lab technician program.
This decision also gives Hocking College the distinction of being the first institution of higher learning in the United States to offer an associate degree program in cannabis lab technician.
According to Hocking College President Dr. Betty Young, the demand for this type of degree will be significant based on the projections for job growth in the industry.
“In Ohio and across the country the cannabis market is expected to grow to $80 billion by 2022, creating many new jobs in this highly-regulated industry,” said Dr. Young. “Hocking College expects to see significant growth in workforce programs that will support the industry and provide jobs for Ohioans.”
Hocking College’s new program will be under the direction of Program Manager Dr. Jonathan Cachat. According the Dr. Cachat, this program will teach students how to work in an analytical lab, analytical chemistry techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography, and the role medical cannabis plays in maintaining and improving human health.
Jobs graduates of the program will be qualified to fill are analytical lab technician, private lab technician, water-testing technician and bio-medical research technician.
Classes for the new program aren’t scheduled to begin until Fall 2019, but prospective students are urged to register immediately due to the anticipated demand for this degree. Students who register now for the Spring 2019 semester will be able to take the required general education courses and be ready to begin the program in the fall.
In response to this announcement, Dr. Cachat stated, “I am very happy and excited for Hocking College to offer the nation’s first cannabis-related associate degree in cannabis lab technician. It continues to demonstrate the College’s commitment to higher education and workforce development, targeting jobs in our nation’s fastest growing industry – medical cannabis.”
For more information on the program, contact Dr. Jonathan Cachet at (740) 753-6157 or cachatj@hocking.edu.
About Hocking College
With more than 50 associate degree programs to choose from, Hocking College now serves more than 3,000 students. Set in the scenic town of Nelsonville, Ohio, the 2,300-acre institution is rich in history, nature, art and culture. Hocking College also has the Perry Campus located in New Lexington, Ohio and the Logan Campus. In addition to the school’s on-campus residents, who attend Hocking from throughout the United States and around the world, local students commute from all over Southeastern Ohio. As a not-for-profit corporation, Hocking College Foundation is committed to the best practices in governance, accountability, and transparency in all that we do.
For more information on Hocking College, visit www.hocking.edu.