Mercer to Offer New Degree Programs in Cybersecurity, Civil Engineering, Kinesiology, Health Outcomes

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MACON/ATLANTA – The Executive Committee of Mercer’s Board of Trustees recently approved six new degree programs in four of the University’s 12 schools and colleges.

B.S and B.A. in Cybersecurity

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in cybersecurity on the Macon campus, beginning fall 2020, building on existing courses within information sciences and technology, as well as computer science.

A recent jobs report anticipates 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions across the world by 2021, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.

Mercer’s new cybersecurity major will introduce 13 new courses to be phased in over a period of three to four years, in addition to five existing information sciences courses and three existing computer science courses to be incorporated into the curriculum. Additionally, 11 hours of mathematics are required for a B.S., and three hours of mathematics for a B.A.

B.S. majors may choose to specialize in secure software development or cybersecurity operations.

For more information, contact Dr. Eniye Tebekaemi, assistant professor of computer science, at tebekaemi_e@mercer.edu or 478-301-2306.

M.S.E. in Civil Engineering

The School of Engineering will offer a Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E) in civil engineering on the Macon campus, beginning fall 2020, supported by existing graduate programs in environmental engineering, mechanical engineering and technical management.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for civil engineers will grow by 6% through 2028, in part due to future projections to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure.

Mercer began offering a bachelor’s-level specialization in civil engineering during the 2016-17 academic year and is adding a master’s-level specialization in order to provide the 30 hours of graduate coursework sought after by many seeking to become licensed professional engineers.

A minimum of 18 hours must be completed in civil engineering, with the additional 12 taken in environmental engineering or other graduate engineering programs. The program may be completed with thesis or non-thesis options.

For more information, contact Dr. Sinjae Hyun, professor of biomedical engineering and director of graduate programs, at hyun_s@mercer.edu or 478-301-2214.

B.S. in Kinesiology

The College of Health Professions will offer a B.S. in kinesiology on the Macon campus, beginning fall 2021, following the recruitment of new faculty with backgrounds in exercise physiology, exercise science, biomechanics and/or kinesiology.

Recent data from Gray Associates indicates stronger-than-average projected employer demands for kinesiology graduates, in addition to a need for accelerated pathway programs to desired graduate fields such as athletic training and physical therapy.

The program will include 32 hours of core kinesiology coursework plus six hours of electives designed to prepare students to work in clinical settings or apply to graduate and professional programs.

Accelerated programs will be developed for students who wish to pursue graduate and professional training in Mercer’s physical therapy, physician assistant, athletic training and public health programs.

For more information, contact Dr. Lisa M. Lundquist, dean and professor, at lundquist_lm@mercer.edu or 678-547-6208.

M.S. in Cybersecurity

The School of Engineering will offer a Master of Science (M.S.) in cybersecurity on the Macon campus and online, beginning fall 2021, building on existing bachelor’s and master’s programs in computer engineering with support from programs in electrical engineering and software engineering.

Recent data from Gray Associates indicates a five-year historical growth in the cybersecurity job market of 6.3%, with a particular need for graduates in Middle Georgia to support entities such as Robins Air Force Base and Mercer Engineering Research Center.

The new master’s-level program will require 30 hours, including nine hours of foundational courses, 12 hours from one of four core areas and nine elective hours, which may include a thesis option.

Core areas include cybersecurity for business, cybersecurity operations, embedded computer systems/IoT with cybersecurity, and software security.

For more information, contact Dr. Sinjae Hyun, professor of biomedical engineering and director of graduate programs, at hyun_s@mercer.edu or 478-301-2214.

M.S. in Health Outcomes

The College of Pharmacy will offer an M.S. in health outcomes online, beginning fall 2021, to prepare students for the burgeoning field of health economics and outcomes research.

Health economics and outcomes research has become vitally important for its role in optimizing patient care delivery and clinical decision-making, as well as influencing policy discussions related to health care reimbursements and priorities.

Mercer’s new fully online master’s-level program is intended to address employment demands in areas such as health care systems, the pharmaceutical industry, managed care, government agencies, contract research organizations and academia.

The 30-hour program will incorporate biostatistics, epidemiology, research methods, health economics and the health care delivery system, plus the choice to focus on one of two concentrations – pharmacoeconomic modeling or health outcomes research – with thesis and non-thesis (capstone) options.

For more information, contact Dr. Kathryn M. Momary, vice chair and associate professor of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences, at momary_km@mercer.edu or 678-547-6218.