Drake University is adding three new graduate and two undergraduate areas of study to its list of degree options beginning in Fall 2020.
The new academic offerings include a Master of Science in health informatics and analytics, a graduate certificate in real estate, a concentration in cyber security within the Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in artificial intelligence, and an online Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication.
“These new programs further strengthen Drake University’s commitment to prepare students for 21st century careers,” said Drake University Provost Sue Mattison. “Each of these programs supports a growing marketplace demand, while providing more opportunities to position current and future students to be leaders in their chosen field.”
More information about the new programs:
Online Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics:
The online Master of Science in health informatics and analytics (MS HIA) is available as a joint degree option for Drake pharmacy students, or as a stand-alone program for current clinicians, healthcare administrators, and information technology workers looking to advance their career. The program’s unique inclusion of data analytics with informatics addresses the growing industry demand for employees who possess both of these skills. The degree will position graduates to take on innovative roles in the health care information technology field, while empowering them to apply data analysis and information technology solutions to the evidence-based delivery of health care. More information about this degree is available at drake.edu/graduate/health-informatics.
Graduate Certificate in Real Estate:
The real estate certificate program will appeal to professionals looking to further their careers to include facets of commercial real estate. Developed in consultation with Des Moines area industry professionals, this 12 credit-hour program will provide students with the tools they need to understand financial analysis and modeling of real estate transactions and portfolios. More information about this certificate is available at drake.edu/cbpa/programs/certificates.
Master of Business Administration Concentration in Cyber Security:
A concentration in cybersecurity will prepare MBA graduates for a wide range of leadership roles in a rapidly growing industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that demand for information security roles will increase 32% from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the 5% average growth rate for all occupations. The cybersecurity concentration will provide students with a foundation for cybersecurity management, including an understanding of IT governance, organizational security design, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, legal regulation and compliance, and case experience in preventing and mitigating cybersecurity breaches. Graduates will be prepared to pursue senior-level careers such as chief information officers, IT security consultants, information security analysts, and forensic computer analysts. More information about this concentration is available at drake.edu/mba/overview/curriculum.
Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial intelligence and automation are expected to impact tasks in nearly every industry in the coming decades. The Bachelor of Science in artificial intelligence program will equip students to reflect critically upon the fundamental assumptions of artificial intelligence; respond to the many ethical, legal, and societal implications of artificial intelligence; and become proficient in foundational formal concepts in mathematics, computer science, linguistics, and logic necessary to create artificial intelligence systems. More information about this degree is available at drake.edu/artificial-intelligence.
Online Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication:
Drake University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication is the only accredited journalism program among private institutions in the Midwest. This new degree will allow students to receive the same top-notch education the School is known for in a completely online format. The program is designed for students who have already completed their general education credits or already hold an associate degree. It will provide students with the writing, multimedia, research, analysis, and strategy skills that every employer and industry desires. More information about this degree is available at drake.edu/bajmc.
“While institutions across the country are facing declining enrollments and forced to cut or even eliminate academic programs, Drake continues to stand out among its peers,” said Mattison. “These new programs provide growing opportunities for our students and further strengthen Drake’s position as a higher education leader.”