April 11, 2002
Board of Governors approves industrial physics, gerontology programs
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
ThePennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors has approved new degree programs in industrial physics at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and gerontology at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
East Stroudsburg University will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial physics designed to provide both theoretical and practical skills. Graduates will be prepared to enter the workplace with the generalist training of a traditional physicist and the practical, hands-on skills of an engineer.
Shippensburg will offer a Master of Science degree in applied gerontology. The program has been designed to prepare students from diverse backgrounds and fields to work more effectively with older adults. The majority of the courses will be taught online, allowing working professionals and other underserved students greater access to course offerings, and expanding possibilities for incorporating courses and faculty from other universities into the program.
The new program at East Stroudsburg, developed in part with the assistance of a $101,000 venture capital loan from the State System, will emphasize practical skills immediately applicable to the industrial workplace. An advisory board will help ensure the program continually evolves to address the needs of regional employers.
Students in the program will complete a major core of at least 17 physics courses. The program also will provide internship opportunities to enhance students’ practical experience and will engage students in solving actual problems presented by local and statewide industries. By taking an average of 16 credits per term, students will be able to complete the program in four years.
The applied gerontology program to be offered at Shippensburg will help expand opportunities for workers in a variety of settings, including social services, business and government. Students will be able to complete the 33-credit degree program in two to three years of part-time enrollment. The university also will offer a 15-credit certificate program, which will be able to be completed in 12 to 18 months. Both programs will meet guidelines for graduate level instruction established by the Association of Higher Education in Gerontology.
With more than 98,600 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 360,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.
The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and the University Center for Southwest Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.