Meeting of the Board of Regents | April 2010

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

Should the Board of Regents approve an amendment to the master plan of New York Chiropractic College to allow the College to offer a Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction?

Reason(s) for Consideration

Required by State regulation.

Proposed Handling

The question will come before the full Board for consideration at its April 2010 meeting, where it will be voted on for final action.

Procedural History

In August 2009, New York Chiropractic College submitted a proposal requesting registration of a Master of Science in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction. The program would represent the College’s first degree program in the education discipline area.

The Department conducted a canvass of all degree-granting institutions of higher education in the Finger Lakes region. Three institutions responded; two reported no objections, and the third supports the establishment of the new program.

Background Information

New York Chiropractic College (Seneca Falls) seeks to amend its master plan to offer instruction leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction. Master plan amendment is needed because the proposed program will be the College’s first degree program in the education discipline area.

The proposed program is designed to prepare individuals holding professional or advanced academic degrees (e.g., M.S. in Nursing, M.D., D.C., D.O.) to teach anatomy and physiology at the undergraduate level. The program is not designed to prepare candidates for teacher certification, nor will it be registered as a teacher certification program if approved.

The College intends to offer the 36-credit program through distance education, with students completing the program in two calendar years. Each course has been designed to include an instructor-assigned teaching practicum that will be assessed by the course instructor. The capstone portfolio project includes an intensive one-week mentored resident teaching practicum on the College campus. The College estimates an initial enrollment of 35 students, with 77 students by the fifth year.

              Since the study of human anatomy and physiology is fundamental to the academic preparation of nurses and other allied health professionals, the College anticipates strong demand for graduates of this proposed program. Graduates, who will be trained as educators and grounded in their clinical and research experiences as practitioners, will be prepared to pursue careers in a variety of undergraduate settings.

The Department has determined that the proposed program meets the standards of registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Regents approve the amendment to the master plan of New York Chiropractic College to allow the College to offer a Master of Science degree program in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction. The amendment will be effective until April 20, 2011, unless the Department registers the program prior to that date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without term.

Timetable for Implementation

If the Board of Regents approves the master plan amendment, the Department will register the programs and the institution will proceed to recruit and enroll students.