USI Board of Trustees approves two new certificate programs

At its regular meeting on Friday, May 5, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved two new certificate programs: the Indiana College Core (ICC) Certificate and the Social Services Designee Certificate. Both certificates will be offered beginning in the 2023 Fall Semester, pending approval by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. 

The Indiana College Core (ICC) Certificate can be completed in-person, blended or online and requires 30 hours. It can be obtained during high school through any combination of college credit, including dual credit (called College Achievement Program [CAP] at USI), transfer credit, and prior learning assessment (PLA) credit, Advanced Placement® (AP), the College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International or by enrolling at USI after high school and selecting eligible Core 39 classes.  

The certificate aligns with the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education's goals to increase access to the Indiana College Core and dual credit, while also increasing the number of high school seniors earning the Indiana College Core by 2028. 

The ICC Certificate also aligns with USI's strategic plan to improve student success, retention and graduation rates while elevating the visibility and reputation of the institution. By earning USI credit, Indiana high school students can have a seamless transition to attend USI, and, in turn, potentially list USI as their first choice for secondary education. Studies also show those entering USI with CAP credits have a 5% higher retention rate. 

The College of Nursing and Health Professions will offer a 15-credit, five-course Social Services Designee Certificate. By increasing the educational programs to prepare students for a career working with older adults, this certificate program will assist in meeting a primary objective of USI’s federally funded Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP)—developing and implementing a gerontology certificate program to include content from existing state education requirements for activity directors and social workers.  

The certificate aligns with the University’s mission and strategic plan. It will enable students to earn certification and increase their knowledge and marketability while meeting the staffing needs of Indiana nursing facilities. The certificate will also prepare students for the growing demand for social workers in the state. More than 261 open social service designee positions were posted on Indeed.com as of August 2022. That need is projected to grow by 12% from 2020 to 2030. 

In additional business, the Trustees heard an update on the Indiana General Assembly legislative session, passed a resolution honoring Liam Collins ’23, nursing major, for his service as USI Student Trustee ahead of his graduation, and approved faculty promotion and tenure recommendations and retirements.