June 25, 2018
State System continues redesign effort with a dozen new, high-demand degree programs
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Harrisburg – A dozen more new degree programs—all responsive to student and employer demand—will
be offered beginning this fall at universities across Pennsylvania’s State System
of Higher Education. This comes as the system undertakes a redesign process focused
on student success as the number one priority.
Each of the new programs was approved by State System Interim Chancellor Karen M.
Whitney under an accelerated degree-approval process, designed to shorten the time
it takes from when a new program is conceived until it can be approved and introduced
into the classroom. Nine new degrees were approved earlier this year using the same
process, bringing to 21 the total number of new programs approved since January.
“This latest round of program approvals further demonstrates the strides we have made
as we move forward in redesigning the State System to be more agile and more responsive
to the needs of our students and their future employers,” Dr. Whitney said. “People
ask me how our system redesign efforts are helping students, and all I have to do
is point to this growing list of high-demand programs.”
Whitney said the System universities have embraced this new process for more quickly
approving degree programs, which is helping to provide students new opportunities
to succeed.
California University of Pennsylvania will offer new Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees in accounting,
economics, finance, human resource management, interdisciplinary studies in business
and commerce, management and marketing. The university previously offered concentrations
in each of these disciplines, but now will offer each as a stand-alone degree program.
The other new degrees to be offered are:
• Associate in Applied Science in culinary arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in public relations at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in information technology at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in hospitality and tourism management at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
• Educational Specialist in school psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in public relations at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in information technology at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in hospitality and tourism management at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
• Educational Specialist in school psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
The Board of Governors in January granted the chancellor the authority to approve
new academic programs once they are submitted by the universities and reviewed by
staff in the Office of the Chancellor. Previously, new programs had to be approved
by the Board, which meets regularly only four times a year.
The accelerated degree-approval process includes the same rigorous review necessary
to ensure new programs meet all appropriate standards, including those set by professional
organizations that establish accreditation criteria.
In addition to the new programs being approved, 15 programs have been placed in moratorium
since January as part of the review process to ensure existing degree programs remain
relevant.
Each of the new Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree programs to
be offered by Cal U. takes an existing concentration and expands it into a separate degree program. The
concentrations are heavily subscribed and demand for the stand-alone programs is evident.
The Associate of Applied Science in culinary arts degree at IUP is an extension of the existing culinary certificate program offered at the university’s
Punxsutawney campus, and will further enhance students’ employment opportunities.
It will require only one additional semester of study beyond the current requirement
for the certificate at an additional cost of about $3,000, while preparing graduates
for supervisory and management positions in the culinary industry. Significant employment
growth in projected in the field throughout Pennsylvania and in contiguous states.
The Bachelor of Science in public relations at Kutztown University will expand upon the current minor offered by the university while preparing graduates
for successful careers in the field, including in public relations and social media.
It will offer a skills-based curriculum—focused on writing, design and technique—designed
to foster creative and critical thinking. Students will be challenged to complete
projects for actual clients, culminating in a required one-semester, senior-year internship
and a two-semester capstone sequence designed to enhance their professionalization
with a real-world, on-campus agency experience.
The Master of Arts in information technology degree program at Bloomsburg University will focus on practical knowledge and skills and how IT affects corporate strategy
and operations. It will seek to integrate the technical aspects of computer science
with the “soft skills” necessary to operate successfully in a business environment.
It was designed for both students with an undergraduate degree in computer science
as well as those with only a limited IT background who want to integrate information
technology into their skill set to enhance their career opportunities.
The Master of Science in hospitality and tourism management degree at Slippery Rock will be offered completely online. Not only is the hospitality and tourism industry
growing, it also is evolving. Increases in crises are placing new responsibilities
on managers within the industry. This program targets “career changers,” individuals
who have undergraduate degrees in non-related areas who are interested in changing
careers. Designed to be completed in two years, the program will include core courses
in hospitality and tourism-focused finance, service management, marketing and human
resources, which will be supplemented with courses in revenue optimization, asset
management, law, contemporary global issues and convention and meeting planning.
Pennsylvania ranks ninth in the United States in tourism industry employment, with
a growth rate nearly twice that of all non-farm jobs in the state.
The Educational Specialist in school psychology degree at IUP elevates the university’s post-master’s certificate to remain current with other
school psychology training programs in the state and across the U.S. The university
has offered the certificate program, which prepares psychologists to practice in primary
and secondary schools, for more than 45 years. Some states have begun to require the
degree over the certificate for credentialing.
For more information on any of the new programs, please contact the appropriate university.