The South Carolina town of Rock Hill Winthrop University plans to offer its first doctorate degree starting in the autumn, which is a significant milestone for the school.
According to President Edward Serna 02, the institution has already obtained state approval to establish an Ed.D. program in Leadership and Innovation. It will now seek approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is its primary accrediting body. According to Serna, Winthrop University is proud of this moment. Winthrop, which is currently in its 139th academic year, began as a teacher training institution. Adding a doctorate degree is a logical step for our university and will benefit the state and region greatly for many years to come.
Students will have the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in learning, leadership, and organizational transformation through the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences, according to provost Sebastian van Delden. In an adult-oriented program that enables dissertation studies focusing on practice-related issues that are anticipated to have a beneficial impact on change, the program will bring together various viewpoints from PK–12 school districts, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and corporations.
In December, the S.C. Commission on Higher Education granted Winthrop state approval for the doctorate. This spring, it plans to submit an application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), its primary accrediting agency, to change its classification from Level 3 (granting master’s degrees) to Level 5 (three or fewer doctorate programs).
This autumn, two new undergraduate degrees that address the changing demands of business will also be available.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence program will be able to create artificially intelligent systems in addition to utilizing them to solve a variety of challenges. The course material will expand on Winthrop’s well-established computer science, data science, and math degrees.
The second degree, a Bachelor of Science in Financial Technology (FinTech), aims to expand on conventional finance subjects by teaching students about data-driven financial modeling and fintech tools like robo-advising, blockchain, algorithmic trading, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Both degrees are the first of their kind in South Carolina and were approved by the state last fall; notice via SACSCOC is still pending.
During the 2024–2025 school year, additional academic additions include:
*Winthrop ElevateThe Bachelor of Professional Studies program at Winthrop started providing its first competency-based education degree options this spring. Degrees in health administration, health informatics, organizational operations, and organizational leadership are available to students. For adult learners, the curriculum offers flexible, self-paced, self-directed learning at a reasonable price. Adult learners can maximize their learning experiences and set their own schedules with Winthrop Elevate, which is delivered over subscription intervals rather than strict class schedules.
*Criminal Justice B.A.The goal of the new criminal justice major is to get students ready for jobs in and around the criminal justice system. The criminal justice major offers more specific course requirements and an internship/practicum in place of a research capstone, in contrast to the current criminology program. Furthermore, this major offers two tracks: corporate and cybercrime and general criminal justice.
*B.S. in Business Administration with a focus on supply chain management and logistics *new focusJobs in logistics and supply chain management are expanding locally, nationally, and internationally. Employment opportunities abound in the transportation of commodities from producers worldwide to wholesalers, retailers, and consumers in the US. This is a well-liked emphasis that complements Charlotte’s commercial community.
* Bachelor of Design with a focus on game designThis is a brand-new concentration that expands on the experience design concentration to include game creation.
* Education Studies M.A.Ed.A new program that offers a customizable curriculum to meet the various needs and interests of its students is the Master of Arts in Education degree in Educational Studies. Research, policy analysis, and the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging will all be covered in core courses. Additionally, students will have the chance to work closely with mentors in their profession, connect with teachers, and participate in real-world educational projects. In addition to giving students useful skills for handling obstacles they will face in their future employment, these hands-on experiences will supplement the academic knowledge they acquire in the classroom. Students will also be able to select from a variety of electives that correspond with their individual professional objectives.
Concerning Winthrop University
Founded in 1886, Winthrop University is a four-year, nationally rated, mid-sized public regional comprehensive university that offers a range of on-campus and online programs and modalities for rigorous, individualized undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs. Situated in the heartland of the Carolinas, Winthrop continues a legacy of student-centered learning, championship athletics, and academics of national excellence. With a focus on lifelong professional and personal growth, the institution offers an education that combines professional training, civic participation, global knowledge, and the liberal arts. The College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Technology, the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts are the four colleges at Winthrop that award more than 20 graduate degrees and more than 46 undergraduate degrees. The academic offerings will be expanded to include an Honors College starting in the fall of 2025. Study up on Winthrophere.