The total number of applications for the upcoming academic year at the Pennsylvania College of Technology are up 11% over last year, according to Michael J. Reed, college president. Those students will have new majors and minors available, it was announced at the college’s Board of Directors’ meeting this week.

A new post-master’s certification in nursing education will be offered, beginning in the summer 2024 semester, pending approval from Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the curriculum committee; a new master’s degree in physician assistant studies and a new bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences will both be offered this fall, Dr. Nesli Alp, vice president for academic affairs/provost, told the board.

Two new minors, graphic design and robotics, will also be offered beginning with the fall semester.

Three majors will be terminated and transition to a non-credit program with Workforce Development. They are: paramedic practice, certificate; paramedic science, associate degree and practical nursing, associate degree.

Fall of 2023 will be the last semester that students are accepted into the paramedic science associate program and the last cohort will graduate in August 2025. No new students will be accepted into the practical nursing associate program and the last cohort will graduate in August.

The college will hold three graduations next month, Reed reported, one on May 12 at 3 p.m. and two on May 13 at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at the Community Arts Center.

In regular business, the board approved permission to sell a college-owned property at 3341 Wahoo Drive.

The property is a two-acre parcel with a high-bay building on it and was purchased in 1997. Some of the college’s baccalaureate automotive curriculum had been taught there, but that is now taught on campus so the facility is no longer needed, according to Pat Marty, chief government and international relations officer.

The board also approved authorizing the appointment of Baker Tilly to perform audit services for the current fiscal year ending June 30.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the board will be at 3 p.m., June 8.