The New Jersey Institute of Technology recently announced the launch of an online masters degree in civil engineering.
Officials said that students who choose to follow this track can specialize in leadership and management. The program also offers two graduate certificate options in construction management and project management.
They added that the online program is designed for individuals who are focused on solving civil engineering problems and playing a vital role in improving the quality of life for the 21st century. The curriculum can be completed in two years, while certificates can be finished in one year.
"Today’s civil engineers are problem solvers, taking leading roles in meeting the critical needs and challenges of resilient and sustainable infrastructures, pollution, traffic congestion, water supply and energy needs, urban redevelopment, and community planning," Taha Marhaba, department chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the school, told the news source.
Officials added that the online masters degree program consists of 30 total credits, which will equip students with the knowledge to face today's most challenging civil engineering issues.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for civil engineers are expected to increase by 24 percent over the next seven years.
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Recent reforms along with an aging baby boomer generation have prompted the healthcare field to seek more qualified employees. As a result, many colleges and universities are creating programs to entice students to pursue degrees in high-demand fields to help certain regions in the U.S.
For instance, Indiana State University recently announced that it will be offering a physician's assistant program next semester, according to the school's website.
Officials said that the program will expose students to real-world experiences, and focus on education and practice with students from other healthcare practices. The curriculum is seven semesters long, and by the second term, enrollees will be mentored by current healthcare providers in preparation for clinical experience in the second year.
"Thirty million more people are going to access healthcare that previously did not [by 2014]," Randy Stevens, the school's medical director, quoted on the website. "That is going to pose a real dilemma for the medical community because the providers, particularly physicians, are in short supply."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of job opportunities in this field is expected to increase by 39 percent over the next seven years.
Indiana University opens up two new nursing programs
Other in-demand healthcare professions are experiencing increases in the programs being offered at schools, such as a masters degree in nursing (MSN). For example, Indiana University Kokomo recently announced that it has been approved to offer a graduate-level nursing curriculum, Inside Indiana Business reports.
Officials told the news source that the program is set to begin in the spring 2012 semester and will bring a much-needed graduate level curriculum to the area. The school will team up with the university's East campus to offer the two-track masters program, which incorporates online and classroom learning.
The two-track master's program will offer classes in both nurse education and nurse administration. Officials noted that nurse administrator track will help prepare students to take on advanced-level management positions at hospitals, clinics, surgery centers and extended care facilities, among others.
Meanwhile, graduates of the nurse educator track will be prepared to pass the Certified Nurse Educator Certification Exam, which can qualify them as a certified nursing educator through the National League for Nursing.
"Many of our hospitals have been calling for a pathway whereby their nursing staff can enhance their credentials to meet the demands of the complexity of healthcare today," Susan Sciame-Giesecke, vice chancellor for academic affairs, told the news source. "The MSN degree will provide the nurses within our local hospitals the opportunity to earn their graduate credentials close to home."
College begins program in health information technology
Finally, the University of North Carolina Greensboro recently announced the launch of a graduate certificate in health information technology, according to the school's website.
The university's Bryan School of Business and Economics will house the certificate program, which is designed to meet the needs of two groups of students – individuals who want to branch out in healthcare delivery and those who do not have any clinical training.
Officials said that the certificate program will provide students with information technology competencies and experience that are an essential skill set for effective managers in hospital and clinical settings.
“It is an opportunity to work in a sector of the economy where you make other people’s lives better,” Eric Ford, a professor in the program, told the news source. “The hospital never closes, so there are always jobs available.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for health information technicians are expected to increase by 20 percent over the next seven years.
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Although the business industry was particularly affected by the economic downturn, job opportunities are still available for individuals who have updated their educational qualifications at campus-based or online schools. In fact, some sectors are expecting to see rapid growth in the future.
Management analysis is one of these fields, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that more than 178,000 new positions will be created by this profession over the next eight years. Experts say that companies’ expansion onto the international scene will contribute greatly to this growth.
In response to this trend, some campus-based and online schools are beginning to ensure that their MBA candidates are up-to-speed on current and effective business strategies that are being used across the globe.
Some institutions, such as Virginia Tech University’s Pamplin College of Business, are enabling students to witness these techniques firsthand. School officials recently accompanied 22 executive MBA candidates on an international residency trip to Eastern Europe, where they were able to meet and network with successful businessmen and women.
Graduates of similar MBA programs at online colleges and pursue management analysis positions have the potential to earn more than $99,000 per year, according to the BLS.
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