June 04, 2018
Five universities to offer nine new degree programs
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Harrisburg – Responding to student and employer demand, five universities across Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education—California, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Shippensburg and West Chester—will offer a combined nine new degree programs beginning this fall.
Each of the new programs was approved by State System Interim Chancellor Karen M.
Whitney through a new practice that accelerates the degree-approval process.
“This new approval process enables our universities to respond more quickly to the
needs of students and their future employers,” Dr. Whitney said. “This is an important
element of our System Redesign, and further demonstrates our commitment to and passion
for student success.”
While shortening the time it takes from when a new program is conceived until it is
approved; and, ultimately, is introduced into the classroom, the new process still
includes the same rigorous review necessary to ensure new programs are of the highest
quality and meet all appropriate academic standards, Dr. Whitney said.
Previously, new academic programs had to be approved by the Board of Governors after
they were submitted by the universities and reviewed by staff in the Office of the
Chancellor. The Board meets only four times a year.
The Board voted in January to grant the chancellor the authority to approve new programs,
as soon as the staff reviews are complete. The change, along with other refinements
to the process, shortens the time it takes from when a new academic program is conceived
until it can be considered for final
approval.
The first nine new degrees to be approved using the new process are:
• Bachelor of Science in exercise science at California University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Arts in criminal justice studies at California University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Arts in conflict resolution at California University of Pennsylvania
• Doctor of Education in education administration and leadership at California University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in athletic training at Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in accounting at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in marketing at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in civil engineering at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Arts in media and culture at West Chester University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Arts in criminal justice studies at California University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Arts in conflict resolution at California University of Pennsylvania
• Doctor of Education in education administration and leadership at California University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in athletic training at Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in accounting at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in marketing at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in civil engineering at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Arts in media and culture at West Chester University of Pennsylvania
All of the new programs have been approved since January, the last meeting at which
Board approval was required.
The new Bachelor of Science in exercise science degree at Cal U. is an accelerated
program than can be completed by new students in three years; or, by those already
holding an associate degree, in only two years. It converts an existing concentration
in sport management studies into a bachelor’s degree, offering students a blend of
science-based courses in anatomy and physiology, functional kinesiology and physiology
of exercise, as well as practically applied coursework in youth fitness, senior fitness,
fitness for special populations and other related areas. The program dovetails with
the university’s multiple graduate programs in exercise science and health promotion,
most of which can be completed with an additional year of study.
The Master of Arts in criminal justice studies at Cal U. will prepare students with
skills in behavioral crime analysis, criminal investigative analysis, equivocal death
analysis and geographical crime analysis. By gaining an understanding of advanced
criminological theories and the behaviors of violent offenders, graduates will be
able to apply what they have learned to develop policies and practices to prevent
and/or predict the occurrences of serious offenses and to identify offenders and develop
relevant admissible evidence before any number of courts or tribunals.
Cal U.’s Master of Arts in conflict resolution degree program will prepare students
with specific skills in conflict resolution, mediation, dialogue, diplomacy, peace
building and intervention. Students will analyze fundamental conflict resolution theories
and best practices and incorporate their knowledge and skills into practical applications
or applied research.
The Doctor of Education in education administration and leadership program at Cal
U. will address a significant demand for educational leaders, especially in school
districts that are experiencing extraordinarily high turnover because of both fiscal
and political pressures of the jobs. Building on the university’s successful post-master’s
certification program in Administrative Leadership for Superintendents, it will combine
elements of educational enterprise leadership with a special focus on developing fiscal
resource management competencies in order to prepare administrators with a solid background
in academic enterprise management built on sound business practices, fiscal management
and human resource relations. Graduates will earn the post-master’s Superintendent’s
Letter of Eligibility and will be able to apply what they have learned in real-world
contexts through integrated field experiences and a field project.
The Master of Science in athletic training degree program at Clarion University will
prepare graduates to work as professional athletic trainers, as well as clinical product
specialists or athletic training equipment and supplies sales representatives. Graduates
will be eligible to sit for the required Board of Certification Examination. Like
those in the current collaborative undergraduate program, students in the graduate
program will complete clinical practicum experiences in house at Clarion’s Athletic
Training Facility, as well as at established and contracted clinical placement sites
at local and regional high schools.
Both of the new degree programs to be offered at East Stroudsburg University take
existing concentrations within the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and
convert them into free-standing majors.
The Bachelor of Science in accounting degree program will prepare students to work
as controllers, chief financial officers, tax accountants, government accountants,
budget directors and internal or external auditors. Following the national trend,
the program will emphasize critical analysis, practical problem solving, effective
communication and the appropriate use of technology. To provide access to advanced
coursework needed for licensure, the university also intends to submit a proposal
for a complementary Master of Science in accounting degree program in the near future.
The Bachelor of Science in marketing degree program at ESU will prepare students for
a broad range of employment in marketing and sales, advertising, marketing research
and supply chain operations, as account executives, retail managers, marketing research
analysts, brand managers and chief marketing officers. It will provide students with
essential knowledge and skills in such areas as advertising, sales management, marketing
research and strategy and international marketing while emphasizing the application
of ethical principles. In addition, the program will provide an understanding of marketing
perspectives that include the coverage of ethical and global issues; the influence
of political, social, legal, regulatory, environmental, and technological issues;
and the impact of demographic diversity on organizations.
Students will be able to enroll directly into either program; or, though articulation
agreements with several community colleges, will be able to transfer from those schools
to ESU using a streamlined course transfer process.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania’s Bachelor of Science in civil engineering
degree program marks the university’s continued involvement into the high-demand field
of engineering. The university already offers degrees in computer and software engineering,
electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. The new degree in civil engineering
will prepare students for a wide variety of careers, including the design, inspection
and management of structures, transportation systems and environmental systems.
All of the engineering programs at Shippensburg provide a careful balance between
teaching theory and hands-on experience to develop pragmatic engineers. Students
will use the latest design and construction techniques augmented with Computer Assisted
Design, simulation and modeling systems to prepare to meet the critical demands of
the Commonwealth now and in the future. This will be the first civil engineering program
in the State System and will be one of only 12 such programs in Pennsylvania.
The Bachelor of Arts in media and culture degree program at West Chester University
will prepare students to work in a wide range of fields, including media production,
broadcasting, advertising, strategic communication, social media, public relations,
international media and diversity training. Their employers could include private
companies involved in communications operations, marketing and public relations firms;
television and radio stations; and publishers, as well as public entities, including
government agencies and higher education. The program merges critical media analysis
skills, cultural literacy and an ability to use and create content for a variety of
media technologies.
For more information on any of the new programs, please contact the appropriate university.