BioP2P Staff
The California State Chancellor’s Office has granted approval to Los Angeles Mission College to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomanufacturing.
“The demand for skilled professionals in biotechnology continues to rise, and this program will transform lives by providing students with the skills and expertise needed to compete for high-paying jobs in a growing industry,” said LAMC President Armida Ornelas.
The new program will help meet the growing demand for biotechnology in the Los Angeles area. Employment in the field of biotechnology is expected to grow faster than average from 2022-33, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. LAMC has already seen this increased demand—before officially completing their courses in the spring semester, 13 LAMC students received job or internship offers with Biotechnology industry partners Grifols Biologicals, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Lief Labs, and Cedars Sinai.
The school noted that graduates of community college bachelor’s degree programs earn twice as much as they did before getting their degree, with nearly 98 percent of students reporting their employment in the same field of study as their degree.
“This applied degree uniquely addresses the workforce needs of the biotechnology manufacturing sector through a focus on quality systems, hands-on process sciences training, and practical insights into achieving consistent product quality. It will cultivate professionals ready to tackle the real-world challenges of biotechnology manufacturing, bridging the gap between theory and application,” said Chander Arora, LAMC biotechnology program director.
LAMC currently offers a series of stackable Certificates of Achievements that act as a pathway toward an associate’s degree in biotechnology. The new bachelor’s degree program will be open to current students, recent and prior graduates, and candidates from local partnerships.
Read the full release here.