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Board approves new academic programs, including a dual-track M.S. in Artificial Intelligence, and several program consolidations
Summary
The Board approved multiple academic items on Aug. 14: UNK endorsements and an M.A. in health education, UNL program consolidations and a new PhD in computer engineering, and a collaborative dual-track Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence between UNO and UNL. Several low-enrollment programs were discontinued or restructured.
The Board of Regents voted on a set of academic proposals across system campuses during its Aug. 14 meeting, approving program additions, consolidations and discontinuations recommended by the Academic Affairs Committee.
At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the board approved (1) a field endorsement in science for grades 7–12 administered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy to allow graduates to teach biology, chemistry, earth and space science and physics, and (2) a 30-credit Master of Arts in Education in Health Education administered by the Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences. University materials said both items were approved by the Nebraska Department of Education and are intended to address shortages of science and health educators, particularly in rural districts.
On the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus, the board approved elimination of the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, with curriculum to be integrated as a specialization within the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics. The board also approved renaming and consolidating civil and environmental engineering degrees to reduce duplication, and authorized a stand-alone Ph.D. in Computer Engineering to replace two specializations within an existing unified doctoral program.
The board unanimously approved a collaborative, dual-track Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI). One track will be administered by the Department of Computer Science at the University of Nebraska Omaha (on-campus) and the other by the School of Computing at UNL (online, non-thesis, modular 8-week courses). Regents and campus leaders said the program aims to serve both traditional students and working professionals and to meet workforce needs in government, industry and academia across Nebraska and the region.
Additional academic actions approved included discontinuing a perioperative nursing administration certificate at UNMC due to partner institutions developing similar internal programs; establishing a BA in Studio Art and Art History at UNO; eliminating an MA in economics at UNO (with a thesis option to be added to the MS in economics); and creating a Center for Competencies, Skills and Workforce Development (CCSW) at UNO to coordinate competency-based education, workforce partnerships and industry co-development.
Board members emphasized the collaborative nature of shared programs, particularly the AI degree, and requested continued reporting on program enrollments and resource implications. Several items were approved by roll-call vote after committee recommendation.
