HCC expands Biotechnology offerings to fuel talent pipeline in Houston

Houston City College (HCC) is expanding its biotechnology training programs at its Coleman College for Health Sciences to meet rising workforce demands in Houston’s
booming life sciences industry.
 
“With our facility located within the Texas Medical Center, HCC Coleman College is uniquely positioned to power the future of healthcare, which includes biotechnology,” said HCC Coleman College President Dr. Lutricia Harrison. “Houston is rapidly emerging as a national biotech hub, and we are committed to preparing students to succeed in this evolving landscape.”
 
To support the growing interest in biotechnology careers and the need for specialized skills, HCC Coleman College now offers two fully online, non-credit courses that can be completed in just six weeks. Introduction to Biotechnology is designed for individuals exploring careers in the biotechnology industry while Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in Biotechnology is designed for current professionals or those seeking to upskill for advancement in the biotechnology industry.
 
“These courses offer a fast, flexible way to prepare for or advance in one of the most in-demand industries in the region,” said HCC Coleman College Vice President Dr. Mohamad Tlass. “From entry-level training to advanced technical credentials, we are building a pipeline that meets the needs of both students and employers.”
 
According to Texas Economic Development, Houston and Austin are ranked as the second and third fastest growing clusters for life sciences, biotechnology, and biomedical research in Texas. In response to this regional demand for highly skilled professionals, HCC Coleman College is accepting applications for its Medical Biotechnology Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC), a one-year, in person, credit-bearing program focused on the medical applications of biotechnology.
 
The Medical Biotechnology ATC is ideal for individuals with an associate degree or higher in a science-related field who are looking to specialize or pivot into the biotechnology sector. In addition to deepening technical knowledge, the certificate provides a competitive edge in the job market and can strengthen career mobility and serve as a steppingstone toward advanced degrees or leadership roles in clinical research, biomanufacturing and therapeutic development.
 
“At HCC Coleman College, our vision is not just to graduate healthcare professionals; we are here to shape a workforce that is ready for what’s next,” Dr. Harrison said. “We emphasize hands-on learning, regulatory awareness, and innovation—all essential to thriving in today’s biotech landscape.”
 
With Houston rapidly emerging as a leading synthetic bio industrial hub and biotech projected to become a multi-trillion-dollar sector, programs like those at HCC Coleman College are critical to building the workforce needed to sustain this growth, Tlass added.
 
“Our focus on biotechnology training programs is in step with the needs of regional healthcare providers,” said Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “HCC has 236 workforce awards that help fill the pipeline to important jobs across the greater Houston area.”
 
To learn more about the Biotechnology online non-credit courses, visit hccs.edu/ce-biotech. To learn more about the Medical Biotechnology ATC program, visit hccs.edu/medical-biotech.