易胜博官网

With an unemployment rate just under 3 percent and an aging population, it鈥檚 not hard to imagine a shortage of skilled workers in key areas around 易胜博官网. To help increase that pool, 易胜博官网 Durham, 易胜博官网 Manchester and the 易胜博官网 School of Law have added new majors, minors and certificate programs in areas where marketplace demand is critical and where student interest has steadily grown. Here鈥檚 a sampling of some of the additions made during the last few years across the three campuses.

Biomedical science (B.S.) Durham

According to a 2010 , biomedical professions are among the 50 best careers to pursue. To that end, 易胜博官网鈥檚 offers degree options in medical laboratory science, medical microbiology and medical and veterinary sciences (MVS).

With shortages of medical professionals looming ever larger in coming years, 易胜博官网鈥檚 biomedical sciences major is a logical choice for students seeking a career in the medical, veterinary or biomedical research fields. In 2017, 易胜博官网 graduates of medical and veterinary sciences achieved a 100-percent success rate in acceptance to veterinary programs. Applicants to medical and dental programs from the MVS option were equally successful; since 2014, 51 percent of applicants to medical schools and 100 percent of applicants to dental schools were accepted.

鈥淭he biomedical science major, with its three specialized options, offers outstanding preparation for careers in a broad range of biomedical fields,鈥� says Rick Cote, chair of the molecular, cellular and biomedical sciences department. 鈥淭he medical laboratory science program addresses a critical shortage of trained professionals while the medical microbiology program provides skills for immediate employment in laboratories.鈥澨�

Ocean engineering (B.S.), Durham

is a budding field that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, will grow by 14 percent during the coming decade. That means there will be a need for engineers who are trained to solve problems associated with the sustainable use of ocean resources and the scientific exploration and study of the ocean environment.

鈥淲ith only eight accredited programs nationwide, this suggests a significant demand for people with this experience,鈥澨齭ays Diane Foster, professor and director of the ocean engineering听program in the . 鈥淥ur goal is to produce the next generation of ocean engineers who will address the future technology, infrastructure and exploration needs present in our changing ocean.鈥�

The program emphasizes ocean engineering fundamentals with interdisciplinary opportunities in civil, electrical, environmental or mechanical engineering as well as marine sciences.

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner听(post-master鈥檚 degree), Durham

鈥淭he program was added to address the significant workforce shortages leading to long waiting lists for an appointment for mental health services in our state.鈥�

Many 易胜博官网 residents in need of mental health care end up being hospitalized due to a lack of providers in their communities, according to state agencies 鈥� and that鈥檚 only if a bed is available. In 2016, the opening of 易胜博官网鈥檚 10-bed mental health crisis unit was delayed in part because of a shortage of specialized nurses.

That kind of need was behind this year鈥檚 launch of the in the . It is designed for nurse practitioners听with master's degrees who have at least one year鈥檚 experience in primary care practice.

鈥淭he program was added to address the significant workforce shortages leading to long waiting lists for an appointment for mental health services in our state,鈥� says Dayle Sharp, clinical associate professor and director of nurse practitioner programs.

Analytics and data science (multiple options), Durham and Manchester

Two career options for analytics and data science majors hold top spots on the cbsnews.com list of the ; in fact, data scientist is number one and analytic manager is number five, underscoring the high demand for data-savvy individuals in today鈥檚 business world.

At 易胜博官网, students working toward a Master of Science degree in analytics will receive extensive training in quantitative analysis, applications and reasoning, critical thinking and analytics. Two certificate programs, one in analytics and the other in introduction to data science, are available through the graduate school. And undergraduates at 易胜博官网 Manchester in the process of getting their will learn the technical skills needed to manage, distill and interpret data.

易胜博官网 also offers a dual master鈥檚 degree in public policy and analytics, which provides students with the foundation needed to analyze critical societal issues, develop policy solutions and translate analysis into action.

Homeland security (B.S.), Manchester and Durham

James Ramsay started teaching (HLS) courses at in 2015. Market demand was behind the new major, he says, adding that homeland security programs have been growing rapidly across the country.

鈥淭he homeland security major was built as a classic liberal arts degree that addresses the causes of conflict and the threats to U.S. national and homeland security,鈥� says Ramsay, professor of security studies and coordinator of the homeland security program. In addition to market needs, there also was a 鈥渢remendous interest by students who wish their jobs to be meaningful and who want to significantly contribute to the democracy,鈥� he says.

An HLS degree offers multiple career tracks in law, policy, cybersecurity, emergency management, risk management, intelligence studies, terrorism studies, environmental and human security, strategic planning and local, state and federal law enforcement.

Brewing science (minor) Durham

Answering the call of a growing career path interest is 易胜博官网鈥檚 new which includes听an onsite pilot brewery. Consider the statistics: In 2016, the number of breweries in the U.S. grew 16.6 percent, providing nearly 129,000 jobs 鈥� 7,000 more than in 2015.

鈥溡资げ┕偻� has gone from less than 10 breweries in 2011 to almost 70 in 2017, with more in the planning stages,鈥� says Cheryl Parker 鈥�00, brewery manager and instructor. 鈥淏rewing encompasses biochemistry, microbiology, engineering, physics, math, business and creativity, making it truly an interdisciplinary industry. This type of learning can then be applied to any industry that the student chooses to pursue.鈥�

Any student, regardless of their major, can pursue the brewing minor.

Other new majors, minors and concentrations