Three Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities – California, Mansfield and Slippery Rock – will offer a combined eight new degree programs geared toward meeting specific workforce needs starting as early as this fall.
State System Interim Chancellor Karen M. Whitney has approved 29 new degrees since January under a new accelerated degree-approval process.
“Our universities are continuing to respond to the needs of both students and their future employers, developing new programs in high-demand fields that will help ensure both student success and a strong and healthy economy across Pennsylvania,” Whitney said. “With the accelerated degree-approval process, we are able to better respond to the interests of our students and needs of employers.”
PASSHE universities often work with employers in their regions to create new programs that address their needs. They also conduct market studies to identify potential student demand.
The universities also regularly review their existing programs to ensure they are still relevant. Over the past five years, the 14 PASSHE schools combined have introduced or reorganized more than 150 new degree, minor and certificate programs and placed in moratorium or discontinued approximately 300 programs no longer in demand.
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania will offer five newly approved programs including a Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory care; Associate of Science degrees in business administration, chemical technology and substance use and behavior disorder counseling; and an Associate of Applied Science degree in health education.
California University of Pennsylvania will offer new Bachelor of Science degrees in fisheries and wildlife biology and molecular biology. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania will offer a new Bachelor of Science degree in cybersecurity.