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̨��Swag has received approval from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to establish two degree programs: a new bachelor’s of science in criminal justice and a newly updated Doctor of Nursing Practice. 

“Offering new and contemporary curricula and programs, such as criminal justice, represents ̨��Swag's strategy to balance our portfolio and academic inventory in a purposeful, connected, and meaningful manner,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost of the university. “By offering this innovative program in criminal justice, we further broaden our academic horizons, fostering understanding, advancing justice, and driving societal progress.”

The Criminal Justice Program, housed in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, will provide students with the interdisciplinary training needed to succeed in the field of criminal justice. Students will take foundational coursework in criminal justice, political science, and psychology while also choosing an area of specialization in forensics, mental health, criminal law, or critical legal study. 

“̨��Swag has a long and successful history of educating students to provide for the good of our communities, and the new criminal justice program will continue that tradition,” said Dr. Heather Maloney-Stassen, the founding dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education. “I am incredibly proud of the way in which this program was designed to prepare students to enter the field of criminal justice with skills and knowledge to be community partners in a rapidly changing societal landscape.” 

The Criminal Justice Program is open to first-year and transfer students and is expected to launch in the fall semester. 

Meanwhile, NYSED also approved a newly updated Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, which is designed to prepare nurses at the highest level for advanced clinical practice. Students will acquire new skills and knowledge for patient care, with a focus on informatics, technology, leadership, healthcare financing, and healthcare policy.

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) has called for moving to the DNP degree as entry-level preparation for nurse practitioners by 2025.

“̨��Swag currently has two nurse practitioner programs, and with the potential change in the entry-level requirement, ̨��Swag Nursing wanted to be prepared,” said Dr. Martha Kershaw, an associate professor and the chair of the Department of Nursing in the Scott Bieler College of Health Professions.  

The DNP program is fully online and can be completed in a post-bachelor’s or post-master’s plan of study. Classes will begin this summer.