CONCORD — Beginning in January, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences will add two health sciences academic programs.

New to the Louise Harkey School of Nursing is the clinical research certificate program.

The online program is for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree. The certificate can be earned in two consecutive semesters or six to eight months.

Graduates of the clinical research certificate program are eligible for national certification as a clinical research coordinator by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. There is an increasing demand to fill jobs in this field.

Also new in 2018, the medical assistant diploma program will begin offering an online hybrid program for which the lab component is held on the Charlotte campus of Carolinas College of Health Sciences.

For students who live closer to Charlotte, the program allows them to earn a diploma in medical assistance in only one year.

Students may also take advantage of Carolinas HealthCare System’s educational loan forgiveness program, worth $5.000. There is currently a demand for certified medical assistants within Carolinas HealthCare System.

For more information, contact the Office of Recruitment at 704-403-1556.

For more information on all academic programs offered at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, visit www.cabarruscollege.edu.