Aug. 5, 2010
CUA to Offer $1.5 Million in Scholarships Prospective students interested in health information technology can enroll in new Catholic University programs that will offer $1.5 million in scholarship grants and prepare them for jobs in the expanding field.The Metropolitan School of Professional Studies (MSPS) is offering three new academic programs in the field: a bachelor's degree, a certificate and a competency development program.
"We are so pleased to have received the grant and scholarship funds which will assist individuals to prepare for careers in the high-growth, high demand field of health information technology," said Sarah Thompson, dean of MSPS.
In addition, CUA's School of Library and Information Science is partnering with MSPS to offer a master's program. Approximately 90 students are expected to enroll in the programs this academic year.
The need for educational programs in health information technology is great. The government has launched numerous initiatives to promote the use of information technology in healthcare in order to improve care quality, prevent medical errors, reduce paperwork and cut costs. Employment in the field is projected to increase by 20 percent through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
MSPS is offering its new programs as part of Capital Health Careers, a Washington, D.C.-based healthcare training initiative funded in part by a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Catholic University's share of the grant - $1.5 million - will be used toward tuition costs.
The grant will help to reduce tuition for the bachelor's and master's programs by 75 percent. Tuition for students in the certificate and competency development programs will be completely covered by the grant.
"These programs present an unparalleled opportunity to working adults who want to be at the forefront of a burgeoning career," said MSPS Associate Dean Scott Battle, who is overseeing the grant program. "Obviously, there will be incredible career options for professionals operating at the nexus of two of the nation's hottest industries: information technology and healthcare."
This is not the first new program MSPS has launched this year. In March, the school initiated a program that offers employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs the chance to earn a Master of Science in Management at the department's headquarters in downtown D.C. Approximately 15 students are currently enrolled in the program and more students are expected to begin this academic year.
MEDIA: For more information about CUA's health information technology or management programs, contact Katie Lee or Mary McCarthy in the Office of Public Affairs at 202-319-5600.
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The Metropolitan School of Professional Studies offers adult students opportunities to complete professional development and degree programs while continuing employment. Students benefit from the career-oriented academic tracks offered in a convenient evening and online format. In addition to bachelor's and master's degrees, the college offers certificate programs and corporate training for business and professional groups.