LEWISTON, Idaho – Higher education is changing. The traditional undergraduate degree remains a popular educational offering, but amidst declining college enrollment rates and some Liberal Arts institutions folding entirely, the Master’s Degree a new lifeline.
According to the Chronicle for Higher Education, demand for masters degrees has increased in the past decade as universities and colleges have launched nearly 10,000 master’s degree programs since 2012.
Lewis-Clark State College is following suit with the launch of its first master’s program, an online Master’s of Science in Nursing degree.
“The online graduate program, which is the only one of its kind in Idaho, represents the first full master’s degree offering in the college’s 131-year history. The college received Idaho State Board of Education approval for the program in February, and was notified of NWCCU approval in late June,” the college told media outlets Monday.
The launch comes as institutions of higher education continue to , which helps colleges create new revenue streams that aren’t as reliant on the traditional body of students that pursue degrees each year.