Harrisburg – The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) today approved new degree programs in nursing, information security and liberal studies to be offered by four PASSHE universities. Three of the new programs will be available online. The new programs are:

• Master of Science in Nursing with a major in nursing administration and leadership (online) at California University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (online) at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in information security (online) at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

The master’s degree program in nursing administration and leadership to be offered at California University is designed to prepare nurses for administrative and leadership positions in the healthcare industry. The program will be offered online to enable nurses who already are working to obtain an advanced degree without having to leave their jobs or significantly alter their work schedules.

There is a high demand for qualified nursing administrators both in Pennsylvania and across the nation. Cal U’s program will prepare advanced practitioners who will address prevailing health and nursing issues, have a comprehensive understanding of and beginning competence in nursing research and have a foundation for doctoral study in nursing. It was designed using standards developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. California’s undergraduate nursing program received a full 10-year accreditation from the AACN-Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2003.

Lock Haven University’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed to enable registered nurses (RNs) who hold a diploma or associate degree to complete a baccalaureate degree. It will help address a significant need for nurses with the more advanced degree. The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice has urged that at least two-thirds of the nurse workforce hold BSN or higher degrees.

Research suggests that patient outcomes are improved with an increase in the presence of baccalaureate-prepared nurses because of their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management and health promotion, and for their ability to practice in a variety of settings. Only about 43 percent of currently practicing nurses meet those criteria. The program’s curriculum is designed to meet accrediting body standards.

East Stroudsburg University’s Master of Science degree program in information security is intended for students with an interest in system security administration and will allow students who have undergraduate experience in computer science, computer security or information technology the opportunity to continue their education at the master's level. Also, by completion of the program, students will earn six national certifications.

The program expects to attract corporate professionals, as well as government and military personnel who want to further their education in the field. It is designed to be a rigorous, technical program and students will have to meet a high level of prerequisites before being admitted. They also should have experiences in mathematics and science.

Cheyney University’s Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies is designed to provide graduates with a variety of communication and critical thinking skills that can be applied to numerous employment opportunities.

Students in the program will take 51 credit hours prescribed in the general education common core for all students at the university as part of their required 120 credit hours for degree completion. Students also will complete 15 credit hours prescribed in the liberal studies core. For the remaining 54 credits, the student will work with his or her adviser on an individual plan of study that will be designed around the student’s interests and strengths and will provide a broad-based set of skills appropriate to most employment settings.

For more information on any of the new programs, please contact the individual universities.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth, with more than 112,500 students. The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Approximately 405,000 PASSHE 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. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.