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Trustees approve new doctoral and undergraduate degree programs

A doctoral-level academic program and a new undergraduate degree program received approval at the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees meeting in September. The new degrees, expected to be implemented in 2008, are a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing.

The proposed DNP program would serve Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduates who are currently practicing as nurse educators, nurse practitioners, or nurse administrators. The DNP is an alternative to research-focused doctorates in nursing and is comparable to practice doctorates in pharmacy and physical therapy.

Dr. Nadine Coudret, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, said the college learned of interest and support for the establishment of a clinical nursing practice doctorate through a survey. The 2007 President’s Task Force on Workforce and Economic Development supported the need for clinical nursing and other health-related programs. The doctorate will support the education, social, and economic growth of southern Indiana by providing expert nurse clinicians, educators, and administrators. The program is offered at 45 universities nationally and at Purdue University in Indiana.

The program will be offered through a hybrid approach to course delivery using online learning technology with on-campus intensives.

The DNP program would begin with 20 students and would be available to full-time and part-time students. The proposal will be submitted to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for approval and first courses could be implemented in fall 2008.

Students seeking admission to the program must have completed an M.S.N. degree to be eligible to enroll. The curriculum will build on the current MSN program.

The program in advanced manufacturing evolved from Indiana Commission for Higher Education recommendations. In 2002 the commission endorsed the agreement between Purdue University and USI for delivery of engineering education alternatives in the southern part of the state and recommended the consolidation of existing USI engineering technology offerings into a Bachelor of Science in manufacturing technology.

The program will provide skilled baccalaureate-degreed technologists for the advanced manufacturing industry. It also will support regional business and industry in workforce development and training by providing professional development and certificate-training opportunities. The expected implementation date is spring 2008.

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