BASC approves new degree programs in applied behavior analysis, forensic sciences and supply chain

The Board of Regents’ Academic and Student Affairs Council (BASC) approved and forwarded five degree proposals to the board consent agenda Friday, including a Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a Master of Science in forensic biology, a Master of Science in forensic firearms, a Bachelor of Business Administration in supply chain management and a Bachelor of Science in industrial distribution.

The approvals followed presentations from university deans and program directors describing curriculum, staffing and expected enrollments. The council voted in favor of each item; presenters said the programs rely largely on existing courses or partnerships and require limited new faculty hires.

The ABA proposal, presented by Linnea Glenn May (filling in for Provost Monica Lounsbury) with Dean Jennifer Friend and Dr. Angela Beeler, would convert an existing 21-credit ABA certificate into a 36-credit Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis. The proposal repurposes currently taught certificate courses, adds two courses from the school psychology EDS program and creates three new courses. Presenters said no additional tenure‑track hires are required and that the degree is intended to let students complete the coursework needed to sit for the board‑certified behavior analyst exam. Dr. Beeler told the council that national job postings for board‑certified behavior analysts rose about 14 percent in 2023 and that Kansas job postings appear to have doubled from 2022 to 2023; she cited an online job‑posting snapshot showing roughly 450 related openings.

Wichita State University presenters described two forensic science master’s programs to the council. Dr. Brian Bollin and Dr. Yumi Suzuki said the Master of Science in forensic biology is a 34‑credit program aimed at students from biology, chemistry, anthropology and criminal justice backgrounds; they estimated about 25 students in the first year and roughly 30 in years two and three. Forensic firearms is offered with three curricular tracks: a 30‑credit traditional track for students without prior firearms experience, an 18‑credit “trainee” track for law‑enforcement personnel currently performing examinations, and an 18‑credit “examiner” track paired with 12 credits transferred from a nationally recognized firearms training program. Presenters said strong partnerships with regional and federal labs — including a planned ATF lab opening on or near campus — support applied learning and a pipeline of candidates. Council members asked for additional hard data on Kansas‑specific demand; presenters said a survey of more than 200 individuals who had completed national firearms training found that “over half” expressed interest in a Wichita State master’s if offered there.

The Kelsey College of Business and Crossland College of Technology presented linked undergraduate programs in supply chain management and industrial distribution that share a 27‑course core. Provost Vaughn (presenting the proposals) said the programs were created to align with regional industry partners, naming Watco and Walmart as local employers expected to hire graduates. Presenters cited institutional analyses projecting workforce growth in the sector, including estimates mentioned in the presentation of a 38 percent need for certain specialists and about 19 percent for industrial distribution — figures presented as program justification but not tied to a specific external citation in the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis — forwarded to full board for approval (motion made and seconded; council members signified “aye”; outcome: approved by voice vote). - Master of Science, forensic biology (34 credits) — approved by voice vote; outcome: approved. - Master of Science, forensic firearms (multi‑track; 30/18 credit options with 12 transferable credits) — approved by voice vote; outcome: approved (motion specifically moved by Regent Alicia Johnston, seconded; council then recorded ayes). - Bachelor of Business Administration, supply chain management — approved and sent to board consent agenda; outcome: approved. - Bachelor of Science, industrial distribution — approved and sent to board consent agenda; outcome: approved.

Discussion and clarifications

Committee members queried workload impacts, faculty staffing and measurable local demand. For the ABA program, presenters said adjunct board‑certified behavior analysts would teach the newly created courses and that current faculty already deliver the certificate courses. For the forensic programs, council members pressed for Kansas‑specific labor‑market data; Dr. Suzuki and Dr. Bollin said the programs were developed in coordination with regional and federal partners (including ATF) and that institutional surveys of practitioners and certified examiners indicate interest, but they agreed to provide additional hard data on in‑state demand. On supply chain and industrial distribution, presenters emphasized shared course capacity across colleges and cited higher projected starting salaries for graduates as part of the justification.

What the council did not adopt

Agenda items that were informational only — including program review and credit‑for‑prior‑learning reports — were discussed separately (see related articles). The BASC made no changes to the institutions’ requests beyond forwarding or approving the programs and recording conditions and clarifying questions for follow up.

Ending

Each approved program will appear on the full Board of Regents consent agenda at a later meeting. Presenters and council members agreed to supply the requested market‑level data and follow‑up clarifications for review before the board’s final consideration.