Feb. 12, 2013

Columbia, Mo. — The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing (MU SSON) is launching a new online doctoral program area with a $250,000 investment from the university. The new nursing leadership and innovations in health care area of study within the current doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program will allow students to prepare for nurse executive roles.

“The complexity of today’s health care systems demand that top nurse executives receive doctoral preparation,” said Judith Fitzgerald Miller, MU SSON dean. “Nurse executives must be able to manage complex information systems, reimbursement for care and safety challenges and translate best practices into daily care delivery.”

The nursing program area is one of 16 new online programs in which the university has invested in order to respond to the increased demand for online learning opportunities and enhance the number of graduates in specific industries.

“This program will prepare nurse executives by reaching them wherever they work and reside through online program delivery,” Miller said. “The new curriculum provides leadership development coupled with health care innovation and entrepreneurship.”

The school’s RN to BSN and all graduate programs are offered in an online format. The new leadership and entrepreneurship area will be the sixth DNP area of study offered by the school. Other areas of study include adult-gerontology and pediatrics clinical nurse specialist and family, pediatrics and family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner.

The university funds will defray startup costs of developing the curriculum, including purchasing any software necessary to offer the courses. Other university programs included in the new initiative include hospitality management, public administration, education, energy efficiency, geospatial intelligence, public health, interactive media, health communication, architectural studies and biomedical sciences. All the programs will be developed and taught by MU faculty.

“We are pleased to begin offering online programs in these in-demand subject areas,” MU Provost Brian Foster said. “Producing graduates with the skill sets and preparation needed to advance these industries is at the core of our mission at the University of Missouri.”

Demand for online education is at an all-time high.

“Mizzou has been offering distance education for more than 100 years as part of fulfilling our land-grant University mission,” said Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies and interim vice provost for e-learning. “Our offerings have more than doubled and our enrollments have grown 78 percent in the last five years. However, Missourians and distance students everywhere continue to ask for quality, affordable online higher education. These new online programs will not only help students be more globally competitive, but also help meet our state leaders’ goal of having a more highly educated Missouri.”

* The MU News Bureau contributed to this report.