WSU Spokane adds health, development degree programs

Finally there’s a college degree for students who can’t make up their minds.

Washington State University plans to offer a new bachelor’s degree this fall in Spokane that’s designed to draw in undecided scholars.

“This is a degree that will address those students who don’t want to get a business administration degree, but they do see themselves as taking a leadership role in their careers,” said Rom Markin, former WSU Spokane chancellor, who retired June 30. Markin helped drive the program’s development.

The new bachelor of arts degree – which blends coursework in professional development, leadership and business – was approved by the state Thursday. The Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the new professional development program along with two additions to WSU Spokane health programs.

WSU Spokane will offer bachelor of science degrees in exercise physiology and metabolism in the Program of Health Sciences. The board also approved a doctoral degree in audiology.

WSU officials were happy about adding two new undergraduate programs in Spokane and a doctoral degree. “We are excited about this program,” said JoAnne Asher Thompson, senior associate dean at WSU Spokane. “It’s a degree that we think will address a lot of people who want to go into leadership positions.”

Graduates would be prepared to step into leadership roles in a number of organizations such as nonprofits or civic groups, Thompson said.

“We developed the program so there’s a strong core in human development and sociology,” she said.

“It’s a degree that we think will appeal to people who don’t really know what discipline they want to study. It’s a degree that will give them all the skills related to leadership.”

Thompson said the degree was developed with input from nonprofit leaders who asked for something that could aid their staffs’ development.

Markin made this program happen, sort of a parting gift, Thompson said.

“This is a program he felt is really important, not just to WSU, but to Spokane and society at large. It will produce educated people who understand the world around them.”