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During Thursday’s regular meeting, the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning approved six new degree programs at Mississippi universities. All but one of the new programs are the first of their kind in the state.
The programs were approved unanimously. Casey Prestwood, associate provost for academic and student affairs, presented the new programs to the IHL board on Thursday morning.
The new programs do not yet have a start date.
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University will add four new degree programs: Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Design and Built Environment, Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, Master of Science in PK-12 Student Support, and Educational Specialist in Professional School Counseling.
All of these programs are the first of their kind in Mississippi, Prestwood said.
The Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Design and Built Environment is a 120-hour degree program housed in the College of Architecture, Art and Design. The program combines courses from multiple disciplines, including architecture, art, interior design, and building science.
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 120-hour degree program offered in the College of Education. The program follows the success of the Applied Behavior Analysis minor introduced two years ago, which has already produced 27 graduates.
“Demand for behavior analysis professionals has seen one of the largest increases of any employment field over the past decade,” said Prestwood.
The Master of Science in PK-12 Student Support was developed to meet the growing demand for licensed school counselors in elementary, middle, and high schools.
“School counselors are in greater demand today than ever before due to mental health issues and a shortage of counselors,” Prestwood said. “In Mississippi, the number of applicants for a school counselor license has dropped dramatically.”
Finally, the Education Specialist in Professional School Counseling, a program in the College of Education, was also developed to meet the growing demand for professional school counselors. The Education Specialist degree includes 30 hours, and applicants must have a master’s degree in PK-12 student support.
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University of Mississippi Medical Center
The University of Mississippi Medical Center will add a Master of Science in Health Professions Education.
This degree program was created after UMMC conducted a survey of faculty and found that less than 25% of respondents reported having formal training in teaching or learning theories. The 30-hour degree program is designed for clinical professionals and helps develop skills in teaching, curriculum development, and learning theories.
“Graduates of the Master of Science in Health Professions Education are better qualified than traditional graduates, whose education and training typically do not include formal training in teaching and learning,” said Prestwood. “There are no other similar degree programs in the state of Mississippi.”
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Delta State University
A sixth degree program was approved during Thursday’s IHL meeting. Delta State University will add a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.
Although the program is not the first of its kind, like the previously mentioned programs, it is one of the pioneers. The only other similar program exists at Mississippi College.
This 120-hour course was designed in part in response to the growing teacher shortage across the country, Prestwood said.
“This program provides students with an easier path to the teaching profession and eliminates the need for multiple program coordinators,” Prestwood said.
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