This fall, Western Kentucky University (WKU) will be offering two additional programs of study at the Ownsboro campus.
The Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) are majors that are returning to campus. This brings the total to 11 in Owensboro.
Regional Campus Director Derick Strode said these are universally, two professional areas with worker shortages.
“Owensboro is just like any other community in Kentucky or any other community across the country, needing a lot of professionals right now in a lot of areas,” he said. “We know that there is a teacher shortage, we know that there's an early childhood education shortage, we know that there is a social worker shortage. And so that's the case for being able to bring them back at this point in time.”
These programs have been online only for a few years, or only available at the main campus of Bowling Green. Other regional campuses include Elizabethtown/Ft. Knox, Glasgow and Somerset.
Strode said WKU is always re-evaluating their degree offerings for efficiency.
“What we're really trying to do now, is to turn our regional programs or regional campuses, in tune with high density needs for communities, and align our majors strategically with great workforce needs that exist.”
Other majors in Owensboro include Criminology, Elementary Education and Health Sciences.
Students who wish to attend this fall will need to get the process started now. The Bachelor of Social Work program accepts applications until May 1. Applications for IECE are open until August. Fall enrollment has been open for a month.
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