By CSC COLLEGE RELATIONS
CHADRON – During its November meeting in Wayne, Nebraska, the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees approved several new programs, options, and certificates for Chadron State College. They are MBA certificates in Healthcare Management and Digital Marketing, a Media Production minor and option, a Natural Science concentration, a Political Science minor, and a Pre-Art Therapy Option.
According to Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jim Powell, the two graduate certificates in digital marketing and healthcare management will prepare students for growing areas of business. Each certificate is composed of 12 hours and is identical to the courses required for the MBA focus area of the same name. Students will be required to have a bachelor’s degree to enroll in the graduate certificates. Students can earn the certificates before or after a master’s degree, or as stand-alone certificates.
The Media Production option for Communication majors will allow students to specialize in several areas of media production, such as video, audio, and broadcast. Students will be required to obtain a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate and specifically 57 hours in Communication (core requirements of 30 credits and 27 credit hours in the Media Production option). The 21-credit hour minor in Media Production will allow students to combine knowledge and skills in this area with other complementary majors, such as Business.
The Natural Science concentration will allow fully online students to complete the Field Endorsement in Science, a degree pathway Powell said has been repeatedly requested by both area school districts and prospective students. The concentration will have the same core requirements as the Bachelor of Science in Education Field Endorsement in Science (grades 7-12) with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, or Earth and Space Science. Three new courses will be added to provide an overview of upper-level chemistry.
According to Board materials, students graduating with the Political Science minor will be able to articulate essential knowledge and concepts in political science; systematically interpret quantitative and qualitative evidence; evaluate arguments about governance and political processes; creatively develop arguments at the intersection of political, social, and economic issues; actively participate in and meaningfully affect political processes in local communities and beyond; and apply theoretical and empirical knowledge to solve problems at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The Pre-Art Therapy option will provide a career focused degree in the medical field for students interested in Art. The degree will prepare students for graduate school within the field of Art Therapy. The proposed plan of study will be 120 credit hours from the Art core, Psychological Sciences, and Essential Studies. Students will be required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and pass all required courses with a grade of C or higher.
Other items discussed and approved during the November meeting can be found online.