Miami Dade College launched a new slate of academic programs this year designed to prepare students for careers in some of the fastest-growing sectors in Florida and across the nation, including aerospace, financial technology, health care and nanotechnology.
The new offerings join MDC’s already robust portfolio of academic and workforce programs, reflecting the College’s continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality, career-focused education while responding to the evolving needs of employers. Through new degrees, certificates and industry-aligned pathways, students will gain hands-on training for jobs in emerging industries that are reshaping the workforce.
Earlier this year, MDC launched the Florida Center for Aviation and Aerospace at Miami Dade College to connect aviation and aerospace education with applied training, stackable credentials and employer partnerships. Among the new programs are an Associate in Science in Aerospace Technician and a College Credit Certificate in Aerospace Assembly Technician, which will help prepare students for opportunities in Florida’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. The programs focus on practical skills related to aerospace systems, assembly and next-generation technologies — part of a significant industry that contributes nearly $120 billion annually to Miami’s economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 12,000 aerospace-related positions need to be filled annually across the country, and more than 90 percent of MDC graduates are employed in the industry within six months of completing their program.
MDC also introduced an Associate in Science in Semiconductor Technology and Nanomanufacturing, along with a College Credit Certificate in Semiconductor Cleanroom Technician. These programs will train students for careers in semiconductor manufacturing, nanotechnology and advanced production environments – fields that are increasingly critical to innovation, supply chains and economic growth. The programs come as the U.S. semiconductor industry gains momentum, backed by the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act and projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. Florida is also investing $380 million in workforce education and infrastructure to support industry growth. These programs will train students for careers in semiconductor manufacturing, nanotechnology and advanced production environments — fields that are increasingly critical to innovation, supply chains and economic growth.
In financial technology, MDC has added an Associate in Science in Financial Technology and a College Credit Certificate in Financial Technology Specialist. These programs are designed to give students the technical and business skills needed to work in the fast-changing fintech sector, where digital tools are transforming banking, payments, investing and financial services. According to the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s broader finance ecosystem includes more than 500 financial services companies and supports more than 150,000 jobs, underscoring the region’s growing demand for skilled talent in fintech and related fields.
MDC is also expanding its health care offerings with a new Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene that provides a pathway for licensed dental hygienists seeking advanced career opportunities in education, public health, research, administration and leadership. The program helps address Florida’s growing demand for oral health care professionals. According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, employment for dental services and allied professionals in Miami-Dade County is projected to grow by an average of 6.92 percent through 2032, with 574 job openings annually.
Many of the new programs are structured as stackable pathways, allowing students to earn credentials that can lead directly to employment while also building toward associate or bachelor’s degrees.
Together, the new offerings strengthen MDC’s role as a workforce leader and create more opportunities for students to enter high-demand, high-wage careers in industries that will help shape the future of South Florida’s economy.
For more information about MDC’s new academic programs and enrollment opportunities, visit https://www.mdc.edu/enroll or read the full announcement at news.mdc.edu.