THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents

FROM:

Johanna Duncan-Poitier

COMMITTEE:

Higher Education and Professional Practice

TITLE OF ITEM:

Master Plan Amendment - CUNY New York City College of Technology: Authority to offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in health services administration

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

December 17, 2003

PROPOSED HANDLING:

Approval (Consent Agenda)

RATIONALE FOR ITEM:

Master plan amendment is required when a college offers its first baccalaureate program in a discipline area

STRATEGIC GOAL:

Goal 2

AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

The City University of New York (CUNY) has requested amendment of its master plan in order to offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in health services administration at the New York City College of Technology (NYCCT).  This action is required because this would be NYCCT’s first baccalaureate program in the area of health professions.

 

The Office of College and University Evaluation has determined that the proposed program meets the standards for registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

 

Recommendation:  I recommend that the Regents take the following action:

 

VOTED, that The City University of New York Board of Trustees be authorized, effective January 12, 2004, to confer the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in health services administration on students successfully completing the registered program at New York City College of Technology.

The City University of New York, New York City College of Technology

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Health Services Administration

 

Academic Review

 

            Because of the urgent need for health services managers, and in an effort to develop a career ladder for licensed health care professionals who hold an associate degree, the CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) School of Professional Studies developed an interdisciplinary program in Health Services Administration (HSA).  There is a strong and persistent demand from NYCCT students and alumni for baccalaureate degrees in health services management.  

 

            The proposed upper level curriculum was developed to build on associate degree level health care professional course competencies of problem solving, experience with patient-centered care and knowledge of issues related to health care management.  Students will be required to have this background to enter this upper division program and take health service administration courses. This proposed course of study would also provide seamless transfer opportunities for graduates of associate degree health science programs within and outside of CUNY.

 

            The essential goals of this program are in direct concert with the career and life goals developed by the College.  NYCCT serves the City and the State by providing technically proficient graduates of the fine arts, business, communications, health, and engineering; human services and law-related professions; career technology teacher education; and liberal arts and sciences.  The College provides access to higher education for New York City’s diverse population and assures high quality in its programs by a commitment to outcomes assessment.

 

The Health Services Administration program courses will build on health provider competencies developed in associate degree curricula and emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of generic topics in health management and administration to provide training in management and leadership in the health care system.  All graduates will have developed competencies in strategic planning, problem solving and an understanding of managed care principles and their application to all aspects of program management.  Students will acquire functional knowledge of state-of-the-art computer software available for fiscal and data management of health agencies and a theoretical overview of the philosophical foundations of the principles of ethics.

 

A prerequisite for entering the proposed program will be an associate degree and licensure in a health science discipline.  All applicants will meet with a faculty advisor who will review their transcripts to ensure proper placement within the program.  Transfer applicants entering as juniors to the program must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and present the result of their professional licensure examinations.  In addition, students who have completed 60 credits in a health related discipline would be eligible to transfer seamlessly into this baccalaureate degree program.  The College has already signed articulation agreements with three CUNY colleges.

 

In year one, NYCCT projects 10 full-time and 38 part-time students. In year five, 12 full-time and 199 part-time students are projected.

 

Full-time faculty include one Ph.D., one Ed.D., one J.D., one D.D.S. and five with master’s degrees.  One additional Ph.D. will be hired as a full-time faculty member at the rank of assistant/associate professor.  The Ursula C. Schwerin Library and its 11 professional faculty librarians offer a wide range of information resources and services to support the varied curricula of NYCCT and its educational mission.  Library holdings include more than 175,000 circulating books; a comprehensive reference collection of general and specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, indexes and other research materials, 600 current periodical subscriptions, with extensive back files; large collections of video cassettes, laser discs, phono discs, compact discs and 16mm films; and sizable files of pamphlets, pictures, menus and corporate annual reports. Because the program will be offered on an evening/weekend basis, there is no need for additional classroom space.  Additional laboratories for this program are not necessary because the limited information systems laboratory work will be done in area hospitals.

 

Planning Review

 

A canvass was conducted of the New York City Region. There were six responses. One response supported the program and five indicated no negative impact on current academic offerings.