FORT SMITH (KFSM) – The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) received approval to offer its first master’s degree, according to a news release.
UAFS received approval from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education on Oct. 31 to offer the completely online degree. It’s a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, the release states.
Local hospital administrators urged the university of consider the degree due to a shortage of employees in the area, according to the release.
Dr. Paul B. Beran, UAFS chancellor, said the master’s degree is the latest effort by the college to respond to the needs of local industry.
“The offering of master’s degrees at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith marks the natural evolution of the university as it continues to connect education with careers,” Beran said.
Dr. Carolyn Mosley, dean of the College of Health Sciences, said the degree will have a positive economic impact on the Fort Smith region.
“There is a national, regional and local shortage of professionals in all areas of healthcare, and healthcare administration is one of those areas,” Mosley said.
She continued, “Of the 30 healthcare facilities surveyed to determine if there was a real need for this degree, more than 100 vacant positions were identified and are expected to increase in the future. Subsequently, this program of study will provide the opportunity for graduates to earn salaries of $85,000 to $150,000, which will advance economic development and quality of place.”
Prerequisites for the master’s degree include a bachelor’s degree in nursing, healthcare administration, business or related healthcare field from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum combined GRE score of 1500, the release states.
The deadline to apply for the program is Dec. 15, according to the release.