Edwards Campus broadens degree, certificate programs
OVERLAND PARK — Early-career professionals seeking advanced degrees or certifications have five new opportunities for higher education at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus beginning this fall.
“These high-quality academic programs serve both the workforce and the community development needs of the region,” said David Cook, vice chancellor. “Workers in the education and business sectors will be better able to advance their careers, and their employers will benefit, too.”
The new programs are primarily in the areas of business and education:
Master of Science in Education - Early Childhood Unified
This unique degree program prepares professionals to meet the learning and developmental needs of infant, toddler, preschool and kindergarten-age children, including those with disabilities. “Unified” refers to the unification of general early education and early childhood special education knowledge and skills. Students learn interdisciplinary approaches that integrate early education strategies into functional activities.
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
The doctorate in curriculum & instruction prepares educational leaders of the future, enabling them to work with teachers and other professionals in school districts, colleges and universities, state and federal education agencies, and educational companies. Students learn how to translate theory and research into practice and to solve practical problems either in current or a future educational context.
Master of Accounting
Funded by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle sales tax, the Working Professional Master of Accounting program is designed for individuals with accounting undergraduate degrees seeking a graduate degree to enhance career options. A Master of Accounting degree increases earning potential, opens the door to management roles and satisfies educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam in most states.
MBA certificates
The KU Master of Business Administration program will offer a series of new graduate certificates in eight areas of in-depth specialization. Designed to demonstrate competency in specific management areas, certificate programs appeal to professionals who wish to update their skills in a different area of specialization or to acquire management knowledge without necessarily pursuing a full degree program.
Global & International Studies certificate
Both working professionals and KU graduate students with a need for expertise in globalization and international issues will be interested in this graduate-level certificate, which can be completed in about one year. Students pursue select interests in global politics, society and culture.
The five new programs increase the total number of academic degrees to 27, in addition to the variety of certificates, available entirely or largely at the Edwards Campus at 12600 Quivira Road. The campus, which receives support from the Johnson County Education Research Triangle sales tax approved more than five years ago, provides research-level higher education opportunities for Kansans and, for the in-state tuition rate, residents of select counties in western Missouri.
“We have added nine new degree programs since spring 2010,” Cook said. “Several more are in the works, including a new bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, an increasingly emergent industry that we are committed to help grow in Johnson County and in the Greater Kansas City region."
For further information on any of the programs, see the above links, visit KU Edwards Campus or call 913-897-8413.
The KU Edwards Campus at 127th Street and Quivira Road in Overland Park brings high-quality academic programs, research and public-service benefits of the University of Kansas to the greater Kansas City community in order to serve the workforce, economic and community development needs of region.