ISU Proposes Two New Programs

At its April meeting, the Board of Regents will consider approval of two new programs at Iowa State University. A Bachelor of Science program in agricultural communication and a Master of Accounting Analytics program will be on the docket. 

Agricultural communication professions have progressed from dissemination of information for a narrow group of stakeholders to communicating the impacts of science, policy and technology to a diverse audience. As such, the need for more specialized agricultural communicators has grown. 

Currently, Iowa State’s agricultural communication courses are offered as an option within the agricultural education major. ISU’s proposal would change the option to its own major and award graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural communication. The degree is nationally recognized and would better equip ISU graduates to compete with graduates of peer institutions in the job market. 

In addition, ISU is requesting a Master of Accounting Analytics program in the Ivy College of Business. The program features an online component, allowing students to complete their degree either in a traditional, on-campus setting or online. Providing this online, asynchronous option will allow students to choose the program that meets their individual learning style and educational goals. 

As distance and online education grows, providing flexible education options becomes more and more valuable to students. The program’s online component would meet students where they are, allowing individuals to fit their education around their own personal goals and responsibilities.

The proposal would enhance the offerings of ISU’s Department of Accounting and further the department’s vision of supporting each student in achieving their individual goals. Further, the program would provide more highly trained graduates to help fill a need in high-demand accounting analytics fields. 

Both programs will be presented to the Academic Affairs Committee on April 19.