July 21, 2008

Cowley College and WSU team to offer degree

With the healthcare industry continuing to grow, Cowley College and Wichita State University have collaborated to offer students a chance to obtain a Health Services Management & Community Development (HSMCD) degree.

This degree was designed for students to take their first two years of college at Cowley, where they will earn an Associates of Arts degree. They will then transfer to Wichita State University to obtain a bachelor's degree.

Courses have been selected to provide students with the analytic, administrative, and leadership skills necessary for entry level managerial positions in acute care medicine (medical group practices, health insurance corporations, medical product companies, hospital and ambulatory care clinics, and EMS systems management), long term care (nursing homes, home health care agencies, continuing care facilities, and hospice), and public and community health (state health agencies, local health departments, and community-based health and wellness agencies).

“This degree is yet another example of how community colleges and universities can develop programs that meet student needs and mutually address worker shortage issues in the healthcare field,” said Slade Griffiths, Cowley College vice president of academic affairs. “I am pleased that both institutions were able to develop this new partnership.”

At Cowley students in the program will need to complete both general education and HSMCD specific courses to earn an AA degree in Health Services Management (HSMCD).

Classes are available in the fall and spring semesters; many are available during the summer. Almost all of the classes can also be taken online.

After completion of the AA degree from Cowley, students can continue their education at WSU to obtain a bachelor's degree in Health Services Management & Community Development.

All your college credit from Cowley will be accepted at Wichita State University in their program. Also, WSU awards Cowley College transfer student scholarships that range from $1,500 to $2,000.

“This collaborative effort will assist those interested in beginning their coursework toward a position in health services or community development, two occupation areas expected to increase significantly as the population ages, which will require more health care-related facilities,” said Rick Muma, Chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences at WSU.

For More Information contact Chris Cannon, Cowley College Department Chair, Allied Health EMS Education Program Director at 620-229-5985 or at cannon@cowley.edu.