David Allen, M .BA Asso. Prof JimmyBehel,M.B.A. Asso.Prof Rhonda Bell , MA Ass·t. Prof Bryan Burks, M.B.A. Ass ·t . Prof Lavon Carter, M.B.A. Asso. Prof Don Diffine, Ph.D. Prof, DirIBe/dell Center MikeEmerson, M .S.A. Ass 't. Prof DavidJohnson, Ph.D. Asso.Pro/. Roben Kelly, Ed.D . Prof, Dir /Testing&Researcb RandyMcLeod,J.D. Asso.Prof, Dean,DirICellterjor Projessiol1a/Sa/es&Markeling School ofcBusiness anticipates health care degree program The School of Business constantly looked for ways to improve its programs and add new ones on the cutting edge of the working world's demands. It strove to be informed about important trends and to look toward the future for its students. During the past few yea rs, a number o f feasibiliry studi es have tested the possibiliry of developi ng new degrees . The studies, many d irected by student committees, judged the feasibiliry of adding new programs to the cu rri culum. According to Dr. RandyMcLeod, dean of the School of BUSiness, a new degree can be added only if both Harding and the marketplace are ready for it. One ongoing study concerns Church of Christ teenagers and their potential career choices. During these studies , it was determined that a substantial market· exists for degrees related to the health care industry, including health care management . "There does appea r to be a substantial target market in the health care area," McLeod said. He credits this growth in interest to the changing and evolving nature of the health care industry and the growth of managed care netwo rks. In response to this newly identified market, the School of Business began the process of adding a new degree to the curriculum. Recognizing the need for a new degree was only the fi rst step on the road to approva l of the degree. McLeod explained that, when a new degree is being I1iti 60 Academics conSidered, several issues must be eva luated to ensure that other departments on campus are not nega tively affected. A new health care management degree had to be approved by the School of Business fa c u lty , th e Aca d emic Affairs Committee and the entire faculty. McLeod exp ressed guarded optimism that the degree would be in Ha rding's next catalog and classes would begin in the fall of '98. "I'm working unde r the assumption that the new degree is a go, "McLeod said. He has envisioned that thi s degree could serve as the springboard for a degree completion program for individuals currently working in the health care industry who do not have a college degree. Junior management major Jason Kuepker said he was interested in the new degree. "I am planning to get my master's in hospital adminstration, so an undergraduate degree in health care management would be more specifica lly in line with the career I want to pursue," he sa id. In anticipation of the new degree, Rhonda Bell joined the School of Business facu lty last fall , bringing with her 10 years of experience in the health care industry, amaster's degree in health management and a desire to produce capable students with a service mentality. "I have been in the workplace for 10 years, and I have seen a real lack of a servant attitude among people," she said. Bell desired to combine her personal emphasis Dr. Steve Williams, professor 0/ bUSiness, makes a point to his International Business class. Williams, whose specialty is distance-based learning, was one 0/ the newfaces in the School 0/ Business this year. Photo by Brian Hendricks. on a servant outlook with her workplace experience. She said she was excited about the potential for Harding alumni to fill positions in the health care marketplace. Focusing on the rapidly growing market, Bell said, "There will be all kinds of places that are going to need managers , and I think we need a degree to turn out some students for those jobs. " - Scott Loftis
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