Minot State University SBHE Policy 403.1, Program Approval Executive Summary

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1 AAC: 6/2011 Cabinet: 8/2011 SBHE: 9/2011 Minot State University SBHE Policy 403.1, Program Approval Executive Summary Minot State University requests approval to offer an Early Childhood Special Education program certificate. This request is in accordance with SBHE policy 403.1, Program Approval. Need for the program: There is a great demand for teachers of students within the field of Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), both in the Midwest and nationally. This need is especially in rural states such as North Dakota. With a lack of qualified educators, very young children with disabilities do not receive appropriate services. The proposed ECSE certificate addresses the shortages in the field and consequently potential for a positive impact in the lives of children with disabilities. Cost and funding resources for implementation and maintenance of the program: The proposed program certificate can be offered through currently existing coursework and faculty load. No additional state funds are being requested. Accreditation information: Coursework for the program certificate originates from the Master of Science in Special Education Degree ECSE program, which is accredited by NCATE. No additional accreditation for the program certificate is required. Relationship of the program internally and externally to the campus: The proposed program certificate is consistent with MiSU s Mission and Vision It also follows the outcomes identified for the MiSU Master in Special Education program. Program Delivery: The program certificate will be delivered in a distance format through a combination of asynchronous online and Wimba supported delivery methods. Viability: Local special education units are unable to maintain an adequate number of qualified staff to serve their need for children from birth through age five. This program will allow units to hire staff that meet ND ESPB requirements and/or hire staff with a temporary credential allowing the staff to complete ESPB requirements as they work. It is anticipated that within the next two years 6 students will be enrolled and complete this program. Graduation rates from this program are anticipated at 4 students per year. Coursework developed has been cross-walked with each content area required to meet the ESPB endorsement requirements in order to assure that students finish qualified for a ND Strategist endorsement. Duplication: No other university in North Dakota offers a certificate level program. UND offers a Master s level program in Early Childhood Special Education, as does MSU. The

2 certificate program will not conflict as its target audience is those students wanting a ND endorsement, but not a full Master of Science degree. Relationship to the Roundtable: 1. Economic Development Connections: With the current economic upturn in North Dakota, increased stress is being experienced by families, schools and communities. Increased numbers of families moving into communities require increased availability and scope of services provided by schools and those communities. The North Dakota State Personnel Development Grant through the U.S. Department of Education targets critical shortages of special education teachers and related service personnel in the areas of low-incidence services. The proposed ECSE certificate addresses the shortages in the field and consequently increases the potential for a positive impact in the lives of children with disabilities. 2. Education Excellence: The current ECSE program within the Master of Science in Special Education is accredited by NCATE and approved by the ND ESPB. The program certificate will allow professional early interventionists to expand their knowledge and skill base to serve a more diverse group of young children and their families. 3. Accessible System: The coursework for the program certificate is available in various distance formats. Recommendation: Approve Minot State University to offer an Early Childhood Special Education program certificate through distance education.

3 AAC: 6/2011 Cabinet: 8/2011 SBHE: 9/2011 Minot State University SBHE Policy 403.1, Program Approval Executive Summary Minot State University requests approval to offer a Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education program certificate. This request is in accordance with SBHE policy 403.1, Program Approval. Need: There is a great demand for teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (d/hh), both in the Midwest and nationally; this need is acute in rural areas. With a lack of qualified educators, children with hearing loss do not receive appropriate services, putting them at high risk for academic, social, communicative and vocational failure. The proposed Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) program certificate addresses the shortages in the field and consequently potential for a positive impact in the lives of children with disabilities. Cost: The proposed program certificate can be offered through currently existing coursework and faculty load. No additional state funds are being requested. Accreditation: Coursework for the program certificate comes from the Master of Science Degree D/HH Education Program, which is accredited by the Council on Education of the Deaf. No additional accreditation for the program certificate is required. Relationship to the Institution: The proposed program certificate is consistent with MSU s Mission and Vision 2013 and meets the Special Education Department program outcomes. Program Delivery: The program certificate will be delivered in a distance format through a combination of asynchronous online and Wimba supported delivery methods. Viability: Local special education units are unable to maintain an adequate number of qualified staff to serve their need. This program will allow units to hire staff that meet ND ESPB requirements and/or hire staff with a temporary credential allowing the staff to complete ESPB requirements as they work. It is anticipated that within the next two years four students will be enrolled and complete this program. Graduation rates from this program are anticipated at four students per two year cycle. Coursework developed has been cross-walked with each content area required to meet the ESPB endorsement requirements in order to assure alignment. ESPB does require a sign language course which is not contained in the D/HH Certificate program. For those students entering the certificate program needing a sign language course, graduate level options are in place. Duplication: MSU houses the only accredited D/HH education program in North Dakota. The proposed Certificate Program can be offered through currently existing coursework and faculty load. No additional state funds are being requested.

4 Relationship to the Roundtable Recommendations: 1. Economic Development Connections: There is a great demand for teachers of students who are d/hh, both in the Midwest and nationally (Foster & Cue, 2008/2009; NASAC, 2005). With a lack of qualified educators, children with hearing loss do not receive appropriate services, putting them at high risk for academic, social, communicative and vocational failure (Rude, Jackson, Correa, Luckner, Muir, & Ferrell, 2005). The North Dakota State Personnel Development Grant through the U.S. Department of Education targets critical shortages of special education teachers and related service personnel. The proposed Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) program certificate addresses the shortages in the field and consequently potential for a positive impact in the lives of children with disabilities. 2. Education Excellence: The current D/HH Education program within the Master of Science in Special Education is accredited by the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED) and NCATE accredited. The program certificate will allow professional educators to expand their knowledge and skill base to serve a more diverse group of students. 3. Flexible and Responsible System: The D/HH program certificate allows educators seeking state endorsement in hearing-impairment a convenient method of doing so and the ability to have completion of a program on their transcript. The coursework in the program is available in distance format allowing candidates to continue working in their school while pursuing additional certification. Further, the proposed program certificate would allow school districts serving d/hh students, particularly those in rural areas, to use a grow your own approach to meeting the needs of students with hearing loss. Recommendation: Approve Minot State University to offer a Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education program certificate through distance education.

5 AAC: 6/2011 Cabinet: 8/2011 SBHE: 9/2011 Minot State University SBHE Policy 403.1, Program Approval Executive Summary Minot State University requests approval to offer a BSE in Early Childhood Education. This request is in accordance with SBHE policy and New Program Approval. NEED: The employment outlook for licensed Early Childhood educators is increasing in the state of North Dakota. According to 2009 data from North Dakota Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) there are approximately 47,419 children age of five and under in the state of North Dakota. The breakout is as follows: 24,682 children ages 0-2, 7,791 children ages 3, and 14,946 children ages 4-5. These numbers are increasing as will be reflected in 2010 census reports. A highly qualified Early Childhood Education program at Minot State University will serve the growing need in its local and broader community and region, as well as extend opportunities for out-of-state and international candidates. The Early Childhood Teacher Education program is a proposed undergraduate major for those seeking a BSE degree, as well as for those candidates seeking a degree that better aligns with new early childhood mandates for those serving young children in private preschools and early childhood centers. The major will prepare candidates with the specific knowledge, skills, and understanding, to address the needs of early childhood education, birth through age 8 (grade 3). Practicum opportunities through varied field experiences will ensure exemplary performance and highly qualified status of those candidates seeking licensure. Members of the community approached the MiSU President and MiSU faculty requesting a program that would prepare early childhood caregivers. In addition, MiSU students in Elementary Education program have been requesting this option for a number of years. The Early Childhood Education program will increase educational and career opportunities for candidates. In addition, many staff working in early childhood facilities need to obtain an education degree or earn additional professional development coursework to be certified. COST: The program draws upon some of the existing course work offered with the teacher education core and from several departments. The new program will require the development of additional course work specific to children birth to age 8 (grade 3). The facility infrastructure includes both existing and new facilities. The existing facility of Swain Hall includes a Kindergarten classroom, resources, and library materials that will meet the classroom needs. Additionally, the university is collaborating with the local YWCA to create a daycare facility on or near campus that would provide an excellent practicum placement. Very little new equipment, personnel or library materials are

6 needed as we have maintained for many years a kindergarten endorsement that utilizes many of the same resources. New funds may be required until the program matures. We do anticipate as the program grows, one additional faculty member will be necessary. The program is expected to generate enough new tuition to be self supporting upon maturity. ACCREDITATION: We will follow ND Educational Standards and Practices (NDESPB) standards for Early Childhood education as well as NCATE accreditation. The program was designed to meet the requirements of the NDESPB state standards. RELATIONSHIP TO THE INSTITUTION: This program is a significant expansion of our Kindergarten endorsement and will share core coursework with our elementary education program. The program closely relates to Vision 2013 Strategy 6, Creating a Commitment to Civic Engagement, Service, and the Common Good. Strategy Six states that MiSU will enhance civic engagement, experiential learning, and activities focused on collaboration, partnerships, community relations; complementing the institution s educational function through a concerted and deliberate effort to connect higher education and common good. Student who pursue the Early Childhood degree may continue their studies by pursuing the Master s degree in Special Education with a early childhood concentration offered at Minot State University. PROGRAM DELIVERY: Coursework will be offered using various options of delivery online, face-to-face, evening classes, and summer classes and practicum experience. VIABILITY: The expectation is that we will get approximately 12 students per year in the initial year. At maturity we would anticipate to 15 to 20 students to graduate per year. DUPLICATION: Currently the University of North Dakota, Mayville State University, and University of Mary offer early childhood education programs. This would make Minot State University the only public university system between Grand Forks and Billings, Montana offering a bachelor s degree in Early Childhood Education. The program would also extend services to the region west to Williston and eastern Montana communities, and north into Canada. The Minot State University Early Childhood Education program would offer the same rigor as the other programs with the additional experience of exposure to rural schools in North Dakota that are included in the clinical instructors and cooperative teacher practicum s and student teaching experiences. RELATIONSHIP TO THE ROUNDTABLE: This program reflects MiSU s response to community needs. Minot and this region are facing a daycare and daycare staffing emergency. There are not enough daycares to support current employee needs in the Minot community, Educational excellence will be

7 ensured by the necessity of meeting the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board standards and NCATE standards. The Early Childhood Education program at Minot State University is both flexible and accessible to meet demands for professionally trained candidates to serve the west and north central regions of North Dakota, where the demand for early childhood educators and child care directors continues to grow. Coursework will be offered using various options of delivery online, face-to-face, evening classes, and summer classes and practicum experience. This program would sustain the vision of Minot State University in providing confident professionals that support the common welfare of others. RECOMMENDATION: Approve Minot State University to offer a BSE in Early Childhood Education.

8 AAC: 6/2011 Cabinet: 8/2011 SBHE: 9/2011 Minot State University SBHE Policy 403.1, Program Approval Executive Summary Minot State University requests approval to offer a Special Education Strategist program certificate. This request is in accordance with SBHE policy 403.1, Program Approval. Need: There is a vast demand for teachers who possess multiple skills and training for working with students who have a combination of disabilities in the areas of intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities and emotional disabilities throughout the Midwest and nationally; this need is especially strong in rural areas. With a lack of qualified educators, children who have Intellectual disabilities, Learning Disabilities and/or Emotional Disabilities often do not receive appropriate services, which will affect their ability to obtain independence with life skills, secure jobs for their future and become active participants in the local community. The proposed certificate program addresses the shortages in the field of Special Education when serving students with mild disabilities from the above three categories. This certificate can broaden the employment potential for a variety of education and special education undergraduate majors. Cost and funding resources for implementation and maintenance of the program: The proposed program certificate for Special Education Strategist can be offered through currently existing coursework and faculty load. No additional state funds are being requested. Accreditation information: The proposed program certificate in Special Education Strategist does not require accreditation. Relationship of the program to the Institution: The proposed certification program in Special Education Strategist would be the only program of its type in the state of ND. It is possible to offer this program certificate because of the strong programs that current exist within MiSU's Dept. of Special Education. Program Delivery: The program certificate will be delivered in a distance format through a combination of asynchronous online and Wimba supported delivery methods. Viability: Local special education units are unable to maintain an adequate number of qualified staff to serve their need for children. This program will allow units to hire staff that meet ND ESPB requirements and/or hire staff with a temporary credential allowing the staff to complete ESPB requirements as they work. It is anticipated that within the next two years 8 students will be enrolled and complete this program. Graduation rates from this program are anticipated at 8 students per year.

9 Coursework developed has been cross-walked with each content area required to meet the ESPB endorsement requirements in order to assure that students finish qualified for a ND Strategist endorsement. Duplication: No other university in North Dakota offers a certificate level program. UND offers a Master s level program in Educational Strategist, as does MSU. The certificate program will not conflict as its target audience is those students wanting a ND endorsement, but not a full Master of Science degree. The proposed Certificate Program can be offered through currently existing coursework and faculty load. No additional state funds are being requested. Relationship to the Roundtable: 1. Economic Development Connections: With the current economic upturn in North Dakota, increased stress is being experienced by families, schools and communities. Increased numbers of families moving into communities require increased availability and scope of services provided by schools and those communities. The North Dakota State Personnel Development Grant through the U.S. Department of Education targets critical shortages of special education teachers and related service personnel in the areas of low-incidence services. The proposed Strategist Certificate addresses the shortages in the field and consequently increases the potential for a positive impact in the lives of children with disabilities. 2. Education Excellence: The current ECSE program within the Master of Science in Special Education is accredited by NCATE and approved by the ND ESPB. The program certificate will allow professional early interventionists to expand their knowledge and skill base to serve a more diverse group of young children and their families. 3. Accessible System: The coursework for the program certificate is available in various distance formats. Recommendation: Approve Minot State University to offer a Special Education Strategist program certificate through distance education.

10 AAC: 6/2011 Cabinet: 8/2011 SBHE: 9/2011 Minot State University SBHE Policy 403.1, Program Approval Executive Summary Minot State University requests approval to offer a Learning Disabilities program certificate. This request is in accordance with SBHE policy 403.1, Program Approval. Need for the program: There is a demand for teachers of students who have Learning Disabilities, both in the Midwest and nationally; this need is especially strong in rural areas. With a lack of qualified educators, children who have Learning Disabilities often do not receive appropriate services, which will affect their ability to obtain independence with life skills, secure jobs for their future and become active participants in the local community. The proposed program certificate, in part, addresses the shortages in the field of Learning Disabilities and it can broaden the employment potential for a variety of education and special education undergraduate majors. Cost and funding resources for implementation and maintenance of the program: The proposed program certificate for Learning Disabilities can be offered through currently existing coursework and faculty load. No additional state funds are being requested. Accreditation information: While the coursework contained in the certification program for Learning Disabilities meets the standards for major programs in Special Education and Teacher Education, a certification program in Learning Disabilities does not require accreditation. Relationship of the program to the Institution: The proposed program certificate in Learning Disabilities is consistent with MiSU s Mission and Vision 2013 and the Special Education Department s outcomes. The proposed program certificate would be the only one of its kind in the NDUS. Program Delivery: The program will be delivered in the blended live/online distance format. Online delivery is available for some courses, should the student choose that modality. Viability: Three students and graduates are anticipated in the early years of the program. Once fully established, these numbers will likely increase. Duplication: The proposed certification program in Learning Disabilities would be the only program of its type in the state of ND. It is possible to offer this certificate program because of the strong programs that current exist within MiSU's Dept. of Special Education.

11 Relationship to the Roundtable Recommendations: 1. Economic Development Connections There is a great demand for teachers of students who have Learning Disabilities both in the Midwest and nationally. With a lack of qualified educators, children who have Learning Disabilities do not receive appropriate services, which will affect their ability to obtain jobs and be active participants in the local community. The North Dakota State Personnel Development Grant through the U.S. Department of Education targets critical shortages of special education teachers and related service personnel. This certification program, in part, addresses the shortages in the field of Learning Disabilities and can broaden the employment potential for a variety of majors. 2. Education Excellence The current Learning Disabilities program within the Master of Science in Special Education is accredited by NCATE. The proposed program certification provides opportunities for students to expand their understanding of diversity in American society through the study of disability, culture and linguistic differences. 3. Flexible and Responsible System The program certification for Learning Disabilities offers opportunities for students seeking a master s degree in special education through MISU to obtain prerequisite skills. It offers opportunities for students in other related disciplines (school psychology, elementary education, etc.) to obtain skills that complement their professions. Recommendation: Approve Minot State University to offer a Learning Disabilities program certificate through a blended delivery format.

12 AAC: 6/2011 Cabinet: 8/2011 SBHE: 9/2011 North Dakota State University SBHE Policy 403.1, Program Approval Executive Summary North Dakota State University requests approval to offer a Master of Science Degree & Graduate Certificate in International Infectious Disease Management & Biosecurity (IDMB) jointly with Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. This request is in accordance with SBHE policy (403.1) and (Program Approval). NEED: A straw poll survey of students' interest in this program was conducted. Of 117 NDSU students surveyed 64 (55%), 32 (27%) and 21 (18%) said Yes, No or I don't know, respectively, to the question as to whether they were interested in this program if it were approved. Also, we visited NDUS colleges to assess student interest. Graduates of this program will have a better understanding of international agricultural issues, making them much more viable in today's competitive job market. They will be better prepared for deployment to address prevention and control of pandemic diseases at the source and crisis management at local, national and international levels with potential to become leaders in future global agricultural issues. COST: No new state funds are being requested. Program costs will be addressed through internal reallocation and grand funds. USAID/HED grant will support 10 students during the first 2-years, with the potential to fund a significantly greater number of students in years 3-5. Combined with support for 5 students from a USDA higher education challenge grant, NDSU expects to have 15 students fully grant funded in the program during the first 2 years. ACCREDITATION: NOT APPLICABLE RELATIONSHIP TO THE INSTITUTION: The proposed program will support other programs at NDSU by providing additional relevant graduate level courses. Also by using established courses as electives the program will support existing programs. The program addresses NDSU's theme of "Internationalization of Education" and goal of increasing student enrollment. It provides expertise in infectious disease management. It will serve as an additional pipeline to graduate school for the B.S. Microbiology degree graduates of VMS Department. PROGRAM DELIVERY: The program's core courses and most electives will be offered largely via distance education using technology such as Wimba and Makerere University e Learning Environment (MUELE) making the program more accessible to NDUS, regional and international students. Six of the 13 core credits are already offered at NDSU, five are offered at MAK and two will be developed jointly by NDSU and MAK. All courses are expected to have a distance education component, except for the experiential learning component of MICR 723 which will require a field experience in Uganda.

13 VIABILITY: NDSU hopes to attract students during the first three years of operation. As a part of this goal, we hope to generate significant cross-enrollment from other graduate programs. In the long term (potentially within a 5-l 0 year window) a reasonable goal would be to double the initial size of the program. NDSU expects to have 15 students fully grant funded in the program during the first 2 years. DUPLICATION: The proposed program augments and compliments, but does not duplicate others in the System. RELATIONSHIP TO THE ROUNDTABLE: The program provides distinct opportunities related to international aspects of infectious disease, and draws on global expertise. It truly is a program for current and future needs. No matter how excellent the educational opportunities may be at NDUS colleges we cannot currently offer the unique global perspective that international training would provide. Global perspectives in agriculture (and related sciences) are critical to the safety of our agricultural resources, yet very few opportunities exist for their study. The program is unique within the region & NDUS in that it is designed as a joint degree between NDSU and MAK in Uganda built upon a true (mutually respectful & beneficial) growing partnership. RECOMMENDATION: Approve North Dakota State University to offer a Master of Science Degree & Graduate Certificate in International Infectious Disease Management & Biosecurity (IDMB) as a program to be offered jointly with Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

14 ACC: 7/11 Cabinet: 8/11 SBHE: 9/11 University of North Dakota SBHE Policy , Program Termination The University of North Dakota seeks approval to terminate its Physician Assistant Certificate. This request is in accordance with SBHE , Program Termination. Rationale: In January 2002, the SBHE approved UND s request to offer a new program: the Master s in Physician Assistant Studies (which has since had its program/degree title changed to Master of Physician Assistant Studies ). The Physician Assistant Certificate was meant to be terminated upon approval of the new Master s program; however, official paperwork was never completed or submitted to the State level. UND is therefore requesting that the certificate now be terminated. Elimination of this program will not impact student opportunities. There are no students currently enrolled in this certificate program, and as mentioned above, the University of North Dakota now offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies. Recommendation: Approve the UND request to terminate its Physician Assistant Certificate.

15 ACC: 6/11 Cabinet: 8/11 SBHE: 9/11 University of North Dakota SBHE Policy , Program Termination The University of North Dakota seeks approval to terminate its minor in Graphic Communication Technology effective December 31, This request is in accordance with SBHE , Program Termination. Rationale: A new Minor in Technical Design was created to replace the Minor in Graphic Communication Technology. The SBHE approved the Minor in Technical Design on April 6, UND is therefore requesting that the Minor in Graphic Communication Technology be terminated. Elimination of this program will not impact student opportunities, as UND will begin offering the Minor in Technical Design this fall. In addition, those currently enrolled in the Graphic Communication Technology minor will have until December 2012 to complete that program of study. Recommendation: Approve the UND request to terminate its minor in Graphic Communication Technology.

16 AAC: 6/2011 Cabinet: 8/2011 SBHE: 9/2011 University of North Dakota Program Approval for an Advanced Public Health Nurse Post-Master s Certificate Distance Learning Credit Activities Executive Summary The University of North Dakota requests ongoing approval to offer an Advanced Public Health Nurse Post-Master s Certificate via on-campus and distance/online delivery. This request is in accordance with SBHE policies and 404.1, Program Approval and Distance Learning Credit Activities. The College of Nursing (CON) at the University of North Dakota (UND) currently offers a Master s degree in Nursing with an Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN) specialization. The College is seeking approval to offer an APHN Post-Master s Certificate (PMC) within the existing graduate nursing program. The proposed PMC outlines a post-master s option to assist registered nurses who have at least a Master s degree in Nursing to attain additional preparation in the field of public health as an APHN. The current APHN specialization is offered online; the proposed APHN PMC would be offered online as well. Need for Program: There is documentation of significant need within North Dakota and the region for nurses prepared at an advanced level to provide population-based care of vulnerable populations in rural areas. National and North Dakota data predict an increasing shortage of qualified nurses to fill this role since an increasing numbers of nurses will soon reach retirement age. Cost and Funding Resources: Eligible students for the proposed Post-Master s Certificate already hold a Master s degree in Nursing and would enroll in existing graduate courses (theoretical and clinical) in the APHN Master s specialization. There are no foreseeable costs associated with the proposed APHN PMC as the required faculty, courses, and equipment are already in place. Accreditation Information: The College is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the North Dakota Board of Nursing through 2011, and had a successful reaccreditation visit by CCNE and the NDBON in October The national CCNE Board meets in April 2011 and full approval is expected to be issued for five years, with ten-year approval following the filing of a successful five-year interim report. The NDBON has issued full approval for five years, again, with ten-year approval expected with the successful filing of a five-year interim report. Relationship to the Institution: The proposed program articulates with the vision for UND, building upon strategic goals at both the University and College levels.

17 Program Delivery: All courses in the current APHN specialization are offered via distance delivery technology, as will be the case with the proposed Post-Master s Certificate. Distance course lectures are typically asynchronous, with synchronous clinical conference sessions offered as part of the advanced clinical practicum courses. Program Viability: Because the proposed PMC builds upon an existing program and the need for the program is high, viability of this program is assured. Up to six students a year are expected to enroll in this PMC. Of those who enroll, it is expected that 100% will complete the program. Duplication: There are currently no state or private nursing programs in North Dakota that offer advanced public health nursing education. The program relates well to the North Dakota University System (NDUS) and region, as it will be an additional feature of the only program of its kind in the state and immediate geographical area. Relationship to the Roundtable: Economic Development Connection: This PMC will assist in the development of a skilled workforce of advanced practice nurses prepared in population-focused care for vulnerable populations in rural areas. Completers of the program who settle in rural areas of North Dakota will undoubtedly contribute to the economic development of those communities. Education Excellence: The proposed PMC is built on preexisting courses that have stood the test of time and have resulted in a high quality education from the College of Nursing. This program will continue to provide students with a high quality graduate education in public health nursing with a focus on population-based care for vulnerable populations in rural areas. Graduates will be prepared to take the national certification for the APHN role and to work in various positions in the state and region that require the APHN skill set. The APHN PMC will be executed by the existing faculty at the College of Nursing. Accessible System: UND would have the only Advanced Public Health Nurse Post-Master s Certificate in the state of North Dakota. Because the certificate will be offered online, students from across the state and region will have access to the program. In addition, the advanced clinical practicum courses required for the PMC can be conducted in or near the students local community. Funding and Rewards: The new APHN PMC within the College of Nursing at UND would strengthen the complement of offerings for nurses seeking to expand their skill set and attract additional graduate students to the CON. In addition, the program will prepare a larger complement of nurses practicing advanced population-based care to manage the healthcare needs of a growing number of vulnerable populations in rural areas.

18 AAC: 6/2011 Cabinet: 8/2011 SBHE: 9/2011 Valley City State University SBHE Policy 403.1, Program Approval Executive Summary Valley City State University (VCSU) requests approval to offer a major in Medical Laboratory Science. This request is in accordance with SBHE policy 403.1, Program Approval. NEED: There is a shortage of medical laboratory scientists, especially in rural communities. The Western College Alliance for Clinical Laboratory Scientists (WCACLS) has the goal to educate qualified Medical Laboratory Scientists. With approval of this request, VCSU would become part of this alliance and provide a quality career for people who want to live and work in rural North Dakota. COST: New funds are not being requested at this time. The courses included in this major are existing courses in the Health Science Major at VCSU and the existing Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) major at UND. ACCREDITATION: The MLS program at UND is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), which is located at 8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 670, Chicago, IL Because this is a collaboration with WCACLS, the major at VCSU would be accredited by this organization. RELATIONSHIP TO THE INSTITUTION: The proposed program fits in the vision of the science department to provide quality education in a variety of careers in the biomedical field and career opportunities in areas with a shortage of qualified employees. Collaboration with UND provides access to an accredited program without requiring extra resources. PROGRAM DELIVERY: The program will be a combination of face-to-face and online classes. Students will spend the first 3 years at VCSU taking face-to-face classes at VCSU and online classes from UND. In the last year students will spend a summer at UND and move to a clinical laboratory in North Dakota for the clinical experience. VIABILITY: MLS is a not necessarily a career choice for high school students, but students identify this as an available career choice while in college. Students also realize that this major provides opportunities for jobs in science in smaller communities in North Dakota, which is where many of VCSU students are interested in making their home. VCSU has on average 2-3 students a year that are interested in this major, but currently they may not pursue this major because of the need to transfer. This collaboration is exciting because it streamlines the process and makes it possible for students at VCSU to finish this major without having to transfer.

19 DUPLICATION: This program will be part of the WCACLS, which is a collaboration among several universities. Within the NDUS, VCSU will join Minot State University and Mayville State University, who also partner with UND to provide this major in their university regions. RELATIONSHIP TO THE ROUNDTABLE: Economic Development Connections The average age of the current clinical laboratory scientist is late 50 s early 60 s. Therefore, a shortage of qualified workers is expected in the near future, especially in rural areas. This collaboration will help address the expected shortage for qualified laboratory personnel. Education Excellence By joining an existing collaboration, which is accredited, the quality of education is guaranteed. Accessible System The proposed major creates access to an MLS career for students who may otherwise not consider this major because it would involve a transfer. RECOMMENDATION: Approve Valley City State University to offer a major in Medical Laboratory Science.