Four New Degree Options at UNO

OMAHA – Beginning this fall, students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will be able to engage in a wide range of new educational opportunities thanks to the approval of new degree programs, a new certificate program, and a new academic center.

After final approval by Nebraska Coordinating Commission on Post-Secondary Education (CCPE), the following degree options will be available for students beginning with the 2015-2016 Academic Year:

- A Bachelor of Science in Biomechanics
- A Master of Arts in Creative and Critical Thinking
- A Certificate in Intelligence and National Security
- An Executive Master of Science in Information Technology

Also approved by the CCPE is the UNO Center for Real Estate and Asset Management.

“Each of these new programs will not only provide more opportunities for current and future UNO students but will also produce graduates more prepared for a rapidly changing 21st-century economy,” Graduate Studies Dean Deborah Smith-Howell said.

Descriptions of each of the additions to UNO’s academic catalog are included below:

Bachelor of Science in Biomechanics

As the only degree of its kind in Nebraska and one of less than five in the entire country, UNO’s new Bachelor of Science in Biomechanics is a continuation of UNO’s commitment to cutting-edge research.

For more than 20 years, biomechanics has been an area of focus within UNO’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, but over the past five years, the program has grown exponentially, including the addition of a Ph.D. of Exercise Science with a focus in biomechanics in 2012, the opening of the world’s first stand-alone Biomechanics Research Building in 2013 and the awarding of the largest research grant in UNO’s history – $10.1 million – to create the Center for Research in Human Movement Variability.

“These events have cemented UNO as a primary destination for academic excellence in biomechanics and movement sciences around the globe,” explained Nikolaos Stergiou, Ph.D, director of UNO’s Biomechanics Research Building. “This unique program will allow UNO to grow its regional and national reputation as a first choice metropolitan university while also addressing the void of professionally prepared graduates in the rapidly-growing field of biomechanics.”

Those students enrolling in this new degree program will get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technologies within the Biomechanics Research Building and have collaborative learning opportunities through the partnerships UNO has through biomechanics with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as many other universities in the region and around the globe.

Those looking for more information on the new degree, or to apply, please visit unomaha.edu/college-of-education-health-and-human-sciences/health-physical-education-recreation/undergraduate/bsb.php

Master of Arts in Creative and Critical Thinking

The new Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking (MA CCT) addresses a need that is regularly identified by business leaders as necessary for professional success across a wide number of fields – and it’s 100 percent available online.

According to a pair of recent surveys conducted by Hart Research Associates and IBM, more than 80 percent of employers agree that critical thinking, analytical reasoning and complex problem solving are where future job seekers should be focusing their energy.

The surveys also showed that more than 1,500 CEOs across 60 countries and from more than 30 industries believe creativity is a more important quality in potential employees than rigor, management discipline, integrity, and even vision.



“Challenging problems often call for challenging traditional disciplinary responses,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean David Boocker. “Our six concentrations allow students to focus on issues important to them and our world. Our new and potential students have already indicated how they plan to apply what they hope to learn in their studies to benefit their workplaces and communities.”

To learn more about the program, visit www.unomaha.edu/college-of-arts-and-sciences/master-of-arts-in-critical-and-creative-thinking. Interested students can apply through UNO’s graduate studies page at www.unomaha.edu/graduate-studies.

Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security

The importance of protecting information, both personal and governmental, is one of the biggest issues facing the world in the 21st century. To address this growing need, UNO will now offer a Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security.

“There is really no better place than UNO, across the state of Nebraska, to gain education and experience in the realm of intelligence and national security,” said Political Science Chair Randy Adkins, Ph.D. “This certificate program adds to the already impressive curriculum opportunities students have across campus.”

The certificate is particularly appealing for individuals already working in the government as military personnel or civilian employees and contractors.

Those who complete the certificate will also be able to apply credit towards a future Masters of Science in Political Science degree if they wish to continue their education.

To apply for the new Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security, visit UNO’s graduate studies page at www.unomaha.edu/graduate-studies.

Executive Masters in Information Technology

With enrollment opening in late Fall 2015 and the first classes set to begin in Spring 2016, the new Executive Master of Science in Information Technology (EMIT) from the College of Information Science and Technology (IS&T) addresses the continually expanding need for forward-thinking managers with information technology expertise in a rapidly growing professional field.

Recognizing the current gaps in traditional executive education programs in the country, IS&T designed the EMIT degree to meet the unique demands of the emerging IT landscape while balancing the traditional understanding necessary to manage and leading organizations.

Rather than a focus on strictly classroom learning, the EMIT degree will be taught with a substantial hands-on orientation using realistic case studies, projects, group discussion and an integrated project experience.

To help supplement this approach, there will be a strong partnership with businesses from across Omaha and the State of Nebraska. With Omaha being the home to several of the nation’s top Fortune 500 companies, as well as earning rankings in lists such as “Best Cities for Job Seekers,” “Best Cities for Young Entrepreneurs,” and “Top 10 Pro-Business States” there is no question that this degree will draw in the world’s best.

“There really is no equivalent program to the EMIT in the rest of the country,” explained IS&T Associate Dean Deepak Khazanchi, Ph.D. “By listening to the needs of business partners and the career goals of employees, we’ve been able to carefully craft a curriculum that will boost EMIT students from IT professionals to IT leaders in one intensive year.”

A website and application process for the new EMIT degree will be available later this fall. For more information about other programs currently offered by the College of IS&T, please visit their website at www.unomaha.edu/college-of-information-science-and-technology.


Center for Real Estate and Asset Management

Following the housing market crash of 2008 there is perhaps no better time in modern history to understand how real estate markets operate and affect local, regional, and national economies.

To meet this growing demand, UNO’s new Center for Real Estate and Asset Management will capitalize upon and expand the impressive work accomplished by the College of Business Administration’s Real Estate Program over the past 60 years.

By using faculty from UNO and across the country, as well as active professionals, the Center for Real Estate and Asset Management will educate students about real estate best practices, foster partnerships among real estate companies in the region, serve as a leader in real estate and asset management education and attract companies interested in hiring UNO graduates with experience and practical knowledge of commercial real estate.

“This new center will not only positively affect students here in Omaha but also students across the state as well as current real estate professionals,” said College of Business Administration Dean Louis Pol, Ph.D. “In addition to graduates being able to immediately contribute to the regional and national economy, the collaborative research being done by our faculty will directly affect our current understanding of the field.”

For more information on the new Center for Real Estate and Asset Management, visit www.unomaha.edu/college-of-business-administration.

To Apply

Current students who wish to participate in any of the new degree programs, or the new graduate certificate, should contact their academic advisor.

Prospective students who wish to apply for any of the programs can visit the following sites:

UNO Undergraduate Admissions
unomaha.edu/admissions/undergraduate

UNO Graduate Admissions
unomaha.edu/graduate-studies


Media Requests

For any media requests, please contact:

Charley Reed, Associate Director of Media Relations
unonews@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2129

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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