By Trey Melcher

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved the establishment of five new degrees at its last meeting. The new degree programs are now with the state’s Council on Postsecondary Education for consideration. If approved, the university plans to enroll students as early as the fall 2018.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in US culture and business practices within the College of Arts and Sciences. The program will allow students to complete an interdisciplinary degree that draws together significant training in business with a rich background in the history, politics, arts and culture of the United States. The coursework will be split between classes in the College of Arts and Sciences' humanities and social science departments and classes in the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Through program coursework students will enhance critical thinking skills, develop communicating and other "soft skills," and develop problem-solving strategies while integrating key aspects of a business degree, including management, marketing, finance and economics. 

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in curatorial studies, in the School of Arts and Visual Studies, within the College of Fine Arts. The MFA in curatorial studies is a three-year, hybrid online and residency program. It is a practice-based degree that prepares students for curatorial positions in a wide variety of community and arts organizations. In addition, the MFA degree will prepare graduates for teaching in postsecondary institutions. 

Master of Science (MS) degree in urban and environmental design (UED) within the College of Design. The MS in urban and environmental design program will prepare students for positions in city planning departments and design firms. UED graduates with additional requisite work experience will be eligible to sit for the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam and AICP Certified Urban Design (AICP CUD) exam. Currently, there are no urban design programs in Kentucky.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree with a major in secondary STEM education, in the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education, within the College of Education. The program will provide students interested in teaching secondary STEM disciplines with an MA in teaching, allowing them to teach appropriate courses in grades eighth-12th in Kentucky. The required coursework includes a sequence of STEM education methods and seminar courses, as well as courses in core education areas such as educational psychology, special education, education policy, literacy and assessment. The MAT in secondary STEM education will follow a clinical model with a sequence of research and industry externships, diverse field placement and student teaching.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with a major in forest and natural resources (FNRS), in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The PhD in forest and natural resources is designed as an individualized yet comprehensive degree of study in the management and conservation of natural resources and the environment. This PhD program is the first of its kind in Kentucky. Students will be prepared to conduct research in natural resource sciences as well as teach in natural resource-related disciplines, such as forest management and conservation biology. Graduates of the program will be employed in state and federal governments and private industry.

"The approval of these five programs by the BOT (to be followed by review and final approval from the Council on Postsecondary Education) is a culmination of the collaborative work of faculty, staff and administrators,” said Katherine M. McCormick, the immediate past chair of the University Senate. “Each program is the product of multiple reviews by department, college, unit, and university-wide councils and committees. These new programs exemplify the innovative and creative partnerships of UK faculty and administrators and are examples of the ways in which UK responds to our commitment to meet the needs of our students and the Commonwealth."

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue