New programs in nursing and engineering could be headed to Slippery Rock University in 2025.

During Council of Trustees meetings this week, university officials said three new programs could draw more students to Slippery Rock and flesh out the state university’s fledgling engineering school.

The State System of Higher Education must approve the new programs before they can appear on campus.

In nursing, university officials would like to offer a 1+2+1 nursing program next year, which would allow students to complete their registered nurse and bachelor of science in nursing degrees through Slippery Rock and a partner institution. Students would complete the first and fourth years of their education at Slippery Rock, and the middle two years off-site.

By fall 2026, Slippery Rock officials would like to expand the school’s nursing education by introducing a licensure BSN program on campus. That would allow Slippery Rock students to complete their entire nursing education at the state school.

It would need approval from the State Board of Nursing, as well as the construction of clinical instruction space and hiring of new staff.

Currently, Slippery Rock’s RN to BSN program requires students to have an RN degree before enrolling. This program has seen declining interest for several years, officials said.

Mike May, vice president for enrollment management, indicated at a committee meeting on Thursday that new nursing offerings would be in high demand.

“It’s the number one program we get asked about that we don’t have,” Mr. May said.

New nursing programs are becoming increasingly popular in Western Pennsylvania as many hospitals face nursing shortages. Since 2020, Grove City College, Saint Vincent College and Washington & Jefferson College have all introduced BSN programs.

School officials would also like to add two degrees to the engineering school: construction management and electrical and computer engineering.

A construction management degree would be the first of its kind in the state system and has high market demand, officials said.

The university hopes to enroll its first cohort of students in these degrees in fall 2025.

Currently, the college offers four engineering degrees: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, and petroleum and natural gas engineering.

The School of Engineering was introduced in fall 2016.

First Published: June 14, 2024, 6:43 p.m.
Updated: June 14, 2024, 7:02 p.m.