July 10, 2003

IIUP offers master’s degree in disaster response to military personnel

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

The program is the first of its kind in the nation and will provide military personnel with intensive education in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear principles and in the detection, identification and safe handling of these and other dangerous agents. It will incorporate advanced-level courses in chemistry, biology and radiology that were piloted at IUP in 2001 and 2002.

Because it was designed for active-duty military personnel, the program will be offered in a unique format combining both lecture and laboratory sessions, as well as advanced field experiences. Students will receive course materials to review at least one month before starting classes, which will be completed during a 22-day, on-campus residency. Those who wish to enroll in the program must first complete the Department of Defense’s and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s emergency response training and receive a recommendation from the government.

The Board of Governors also has approved four other new degree programs designed by Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities to address specific workforce needs. They are:

• Bachelor of Science degree in music education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
• Bachelor of Arts degree in art and design at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.
• Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American studies at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
• Associate of Applied Science degree in industrial technology at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

The Bachelor of Science degree in music education to be offered at Kutztown University was designed to address what the National Association of Schools in Music has called a “critical shortage” in K-12 music teachers. Students currently enrolled in the university’s Bachelor of Arts in music program also have expressed a strong interest in a program that would lead to K-12 teacher certification.

The university participates in several regional partnerships, including the National String Project Consortium, Berks Classical Children’s Chorus, Reading Music Teachers Association and the Berks JazzFest, that will help enhance program opportunities for students.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in art and design to be offered at East Stroudsburg University will be the first of its kind in the State System. It will address a projected employment need in the Commonwealth and the interests of current professionals in northeastern Pennsylvania. Reports from both the U.S. Department of Labor and the Pennsylvania occupational-outlook indicate that the demand for trained professionals in this field will increase over the next several years.

The program will combine fundamental studio-art courses with hands-on industry experience. More than 50 area businesses have said they would be willing to provide internship opportunities for students who enroll in the program.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American studies to be offered at Edinboro University also will be the first of its kind to be offered at a State System university and will be the only one in the region. It will help address a growing need to prepare students to work in an increasingly global marketplace, particularly with companies and government agencies with interests in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

With the Latino/Hispanic population now the largest minority group in the United States, the program not only may help increase enrollment of underrepresented students, especially from nearby communities, but also will serve students interested in international employment opportunities or experiences.

The Associate of Applied Science degree in industrial technology at Clarion University also will address a specific workforce need in northwestern Pennsylvania. Regional economic development studies indicate a need for such a program and show that the absence of such an offering has had a negative impact on efforts to attract new industry or for existing businesses to expand their operations.

The program will prepare students for careers in technical-industrial fields while providing the necessary skills for advancement to positions beyond the entry level.

All of the new programs will be offered beginning in the fall. For more information on the specific programs, please contact the appropriate university.

During the 2002-03 academic year the Board of Governors approved seven new graduate degree programs and seven new undergraduate programs developed by the universities to in response to workforce needs. Chancellor Judy G. Hample also approved 11 new minor degrees and certificate programs. The universities also discontinued nine low-demand programs and began phasing out one other over the last 12 months.

With more than 101,000 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 375,000 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. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.