Lake Washington Technical College (LWTC) is starting three new health care degree programs. The three new programs are: massage therapy (starting fall quarter 2008); physical therapist assistant (starting winter quarter 2009); and occupational therapy assistant (program starting in 2009, with introduction courses starting fall quarter 2008).

“These three new programs are designed to give students specialized, professional health care skills that will keep them in constant demand,” said Dr. Sharon McGavick, LWTC president. “Each of the programs provides opportunities for entry level workers to gain the skills and training they need to succeed in the health care field.”

Students will be able to obtain a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from each of the three new programs. In addition, students also can obtain a one-year Certificate of Proficiency in the massage therapy program.

With the three new programs, LWTC now has a total of seven health care degree programs. The college’s other two-year degree health care programs are nursing, dental hygiene, dental assistant and medical assisting. In addition, LWTC is starting a funeral services degree program in the summer of 2009 that will be the only one of its kind in the state.

LWTC also is in the design phase for a new 71,000 square foot building that will house all of its health care programs and provide students with the latest health care training technology and facilities. Construction of the new building is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2009, with a completion date scheduled for the winter of 2011.

For more information about the programs, interested students can visit www.lwtc.edu or call 425-739-8300.