Looking to the Future

The School of Continuing Studies mission has two primary objectives: to offer an education that upholds the University's standard of academic excellence, and to provide diverse pathways for adult learners to access that education. As SCS looks to the future by enhancing the depth and scope of its educational offerings, it aims to succeed on both objectives.

In the past six years, SCS has adjusted to the constantly changing professional landscape by expanding its program offerings to satisfy the needs of emerging leaders in budding fields. Professional Development Programs like the Art of Leadership and the Summer Institute in Negotiation improve the skill sets of individuals in leadership positions, while the Global Leaders program offers such training to an entire organization. SCS will further expand its program offerings in professional development as demands change for individuals and industries.

SCS will continue to create educational programming for emerging industries. The school offers numerous programs in the fields of healthcare and information technology, several of which have been introduced in the past few years. With master's programs in Medical Informatics and Quality Assurance and Regulatory Science, SCS has responded to a need for information management and leadership in the healthcare field. As organizations stretch globally, the need for managing technology has compounded, and SCS has responded in kind with a graduate degree in Computer Information Systems and noncredit programs in Information Systems Security Management and Project Management. The school is committed to bringing a tradition of excellence to new academic arenas, and it looks to build upon its recent success with developing courses that tailor information technology to the needs of specific industries.

As SCS increases its breadth of programs for fields that utilize technology to further organizational goals, it adopts new technology that enhances its own academic mission. Looking to the future, significant focus will be placed on extending the school's reach with online programs. Having gained the experience necessary to master the steep learning curve of offering high-quality academic programming online, SCS is in an excellent position to expand its selection of master's, undergraduate, and professional development programs to a national audience.

In November 2007, the Higher Learning Commission of North Central reviewed SCS's online Master of Science in Medical Informatics program and overall ability to deliver distance programming that is reflective of an elite institution. The assessment was favorable and SCS will be accredited to offer online master's degree programs. The school has developed an operational and strategic understanding of distance learning technologies, vendors, delivery methods, and investment and operating costs. Looking forward, SCS is positioned to successfully assist the university and all of its schools in providing accredited degree programming online.