NSU Launches New Degree Programs

TAHLEQUAH Working adults looking to finish their college careers, substance abuse counselors needing to further their education, and students interested in manufacturing industry management can now earn their degrees at Northeastern State University.

NSU is now offering a bachelor of science in organizational leadership, a master of science in substance abuse counseling, and a bachelor of business administration in supply chain management.

"Were currently offering classes for all of these degree programs," said Dr. Dalton Bigbee, vice president for Academic Affairs. Our hope is that students learn about these new programs and get involved in them during the fall semester.

As the lead institution for Reach Higher Oklahomas Degree Completion Program, NSU is spearheading the effort to bring Oklahomans who have already earned some college credit back to earn their degree in organizational leadership. Under Northeasterns leadership, Cameron University, East Central University, Langston University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Rogers State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and the University of Central Oklahoma are offering the program.

"Business and education leaders from across Oklahoma created the degree program, which covers topics and skills that are important in todays workforce," said Dr. Tim McElroy, Reach Higher director and dean of NSU-Muskogee. The mostly online degree program allows working adults to finish their degree in as little as two years.

To enroll in Reach Higher, students must have already earned 72 college credit hours, be 21 years of age and not enrolled as a full-time student for at least one year, have a minimum of 2.0 GPA in past college course work, completed general education requirements as defined by the home institution admitting the student, and satisfy all institutional requirements for completion of remedial coursework.

While the program launched in March, the second round of classes begins on June 4. Northeastern will offer Foundations of Organizational Leadership, Professional Communications, and Survey of Fiscal Management. Other courses will be available as the program progresses.

For more information on Reach Higher Oklahomas Degree Completion Program, call 1-800-951-0768.

The master of science in substance abuse counseling degree was created to prepare students to meet the requirements established by the Oklahoma legislature under the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors Act, which mandates that all alcohol and drug counselors in the state have a masters degree in the area.

Northeastern recognized a need in the region for trained professional counselors, coupled with the new requirement of a masters degree to receive a license to practice substance abuse counseling, said Bigbee. Our faculty has perceived a market demand for people with this level of education, with over 140,000 Oklahomans seeking treatment for alcohol addiction and 21,000 Oklahomans needing treatment for other types of drug addiction.

NSU will offer a full time option which will allow a student to graduate in two years, and a part time option which will allow a student to graduate in three years. The program will target NSU undergraduate students in the social or behavioral science areas who wish to work in the substance abuse field, as well as individuals who are currently working in the substance abuse field who do not have a masters degree.

Seven new courses will be added to NSUs schedule to accommodate the new program, including Foundations of Substance Abuse and Addiction, Substance Abuse Counseling Theories, Pharmacology of Substance Abuse, Substance Abuse Individual Counseling Techniques Practicum, Substance Abuse Assessment Strategies, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques, and an internship in substance abuse counseling.

Northeastern is the only institution in Oklahoma to offer this graduate level program.

The supply chain management program will provide students with a managerial education and understanding of supply chain management to prepare them for a career in the manufacturing industry.

"Northeastern is so close in proximity to Bentonville and Wal-Mart, a company that lives and dies by supply chain management, and other major manufacturers like Boeing, Fed-Ex, and UPS, said Bigbee. "Supply chain management is essential in the manufacturing industry and our students will have numerous employment opportunities upon graduation."

Students will be exposed to vital skills needed in meeting the challenges of domestic and international logistics, procurement, transportation, distribution, and inventory movement and storage. Courses will focus on the ability to identify methods of supply chain optimizing and the development of new opportunities for creating value in movements of goods, services, information and financial resources.

The university will add five new courses to meet the requirements for the degree program, including Supply Chain Management, International Supply Chain Management, and Transportation Safety and Security.