Newman develops new academic programs to meet students’ needs

Professors at Newman University have been busy in recent years developing new program offerings to better meet the needs of students and industry. This fall semester saw more new programs get underway.

The School of Nursing and Allied Health launched an RN to BSN degree completion program for registered nurses who desire flexibility for earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The online program focuses on the skills needed to keep pace with the current health care environment while enhancing leadership skills and thus, career options. Students benefit from the ability to complete the program while still maintaining employment. The RN to BSN degree is offered at Newman’s Career Advantage Program (CAP) rate, a modest $316 per credit hour.

Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of Sports Communication Teresa Raehpour, M.A.

A Sports Communication Bachelor of Arts degree program was also introduced this fall. Designed to prepare students for work in the rapidly growing sports industry, the program combines communication and business courses. Students then focus on their areas of interest through electives and internships. The curriculum offers study relevant to a broad range of careers, such as sports writing and broadcasting, sports event planning, public relations, stadium management and others.

“This is a great way for students to build a solid career while staying close to the sports action they love,” said Director of Sports Communication Teresa Raehpour, M.A.

These new offerings extend the list of programs launched in recent years to help people advance in their careers. The Business Studies degree completion program is designed to help business professionals earn an undergraduate degree, and incorporates online courses to give students more flexibility in their schedules. Students must have at least 62 credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university, and three years of full-time work experience to be admitted. It is also a CAP rate program.

Other popular programs launched in the past two years are the Master of Arts in Theology and the Master in Theological Studies, and bachelor’s degrees in Forensics Science, Healthcare Science, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Another program, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, allows students to transfer all credit hours they have earned from accredited institutions. Students then work with their academic advisors to tailor a program of study to meet individual goals.

In addition to these expanded academic offerings, Newman is working to attract prospective students through expansions in articulation agreements and dual admissions agreements with area two-year colleges like Butler Community College and Donnelly College in Kansas City. The articulation agreements eliminate the worry that students will repeat courses or lose credit for courses transferred. The dual admissions agreements provide additional financial aid for those identifying Newman early on as their transfer institution. Work is underway to announce additional articulation agreements by the end of the academic year with other area two-year institutions.