April 07, 2011

PASSHE Board of Governors approves three new academic programs

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

Harrisburg – The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) today approved three new academic programs, including a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic language and culture that will be taught by faculty at California University of Pennsylvania and offered online to students at all 14 PASSHE universities.
Students who enroll in the unique program will take the 30 credits required for the Arabic major from Cal U. They will be able to complete their general education requirements and electives at their home campus.
The Board also approved a Bachelor of Science degree program in industrial and engineering administration to be offered by Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
The new degree in Arabic language and culture responds to a critical need. Federal agencies require people who understand the Arabic culture and who can speak, read and write the Arabic language. Several agencies consider it their top priority. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for example, places Arabic at the top of its list relative to its ability to translate all critical foreign language material. The Department of State identifies the need for individuals trained in Arabic as “super critical.” It is particularly important for Americans to be trained in Arabic languages because the U.S. government does not provide security clearance to foreign nationals.
The curriculum will follow the guidelines of the American Council for Teaching of Foreign Language, providing students with the foundation to become certified interpreters. Partnerships also have been established with two international universities to further expand learning opportunities for students who enroll in the program.
Edinboro University’s new degree program in industrial and engineering administration will build on the strength of its associate-level manufacturing engineering technology program and other technical training programs in the region. It will allow graduates to advance to supervisory and other management positions within their organizations. By combining education in manufacturing engineering technology and business administration, the program will prepare graduates for careers as production team leaders, quality coordinators, new product development coordinators, production analysts, operations analysts and industrial sales specialists, among others. The applied nature of the program will ensure that graduates provide immediate value to their employers.
Throughout the northwest Pennsylvania region, manufacturing employment averages more than 16 percent of total non-farm employment, compared to the national average of just 9 percent.
Shippensburg University’s new program in computer engineering will combine the existing embedded systems concentration within the computer science program with existing coursework in mathematics and physics. The proposed program is designed to prepare graduates for careers developing software and hardware for embedded systems including microcontrollers, industrial controls and mobile computers.
National and regional long-term supply and demand data for computer engineering careers indicate faster than average demand for college graduates in the field.
For more information on any of the new programs, please contact the appropriate university.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth, with nearly 120,000 students. The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. About 500,000 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.