Union College is significantly expanding its graduate offerings with three new master’s degrees. Two of the new degrees, a Master of Public Health and a Master of Science in Leadership, will begin in August 2023, while the Master of Occupational Therapy program will launch in 2024.

“These new degrees signal a broadening of Union College’s scope as we continually strive to add value for our current students and anyone seeking additional higher education to advance their careers,” said Vinita Sauder, Union College president. “The programs build on Union’s strengths and continue our legacy of training top leaders in healthcare, the nonprofit sector, and many other fields.”

Master of Public Health

An ideal next step for many seeking a career in healthcare, the Master of Public Health (MPH) will train students to identify and solve health challenges facing communities. This fast-growing field overlaps various industries with jobs in hospitals, nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, and schools.

Typically a two-year program for someone with an undergraduate degree, the MPH can be combined with the college’s existing Biomedical Science or International Rescue and Relief undergraduate majors. That means completing two degrees in just five years: three as an undergraduate and two as a graduate student. The degree may also be combined with Union College’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies and completed in four years, one year faster than taking the programs separately.

“I would recommend a Master of Public Health to anyone driven to reduce suffering at a community or population level,” said Ben Herzel, a Union College graduate completing a residency in emergency medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center. “In the emergency room, I can only address the needs of one single patient at a time. But the essence of public health is to focus on groups rather than individuals, which is where real change can happen. The nature of that change can look like many things: promoting preventative healthcare, mitigating disease epidemics, training healthcare workers, improving the efficiency of testing and treatment strategies, and so much more.”

Union College is currently accepting students to start in Fall 2023. To learn more or apply for this in-person program, visit ucollege.edu/publichealth.

Master of Science in Leadership

A close cousin to the MBA, the Master of Science in Leadership will focus on understanding human behavior, effective communication, managing complex systems, and creatively solving big problems. The master’s degree builds on Union College’s undergraduate leadership minor, which, for the last 20 years, has allowed any Union student to add credentials focused on creative, effective leadership.

This one-year master’s program (including a summer trimester) pairs well with most undergraduate majors and provides a next step for anyone who wants to advance his or her career in management. The program is available in person or in an online synchronous format.

“A master’s degree is very important as you advance your career, especially if you want to move into leadership,” said Amanda Maggard, Union College graduate and president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City hospitals. “This master’s in leadership provides a broad base of learning. Regardless of your industry, I believe it’s a benchmark you need to have if you seek a leadership role.”

Union College is currently accepting students to start in Fall 2023. To learn more or apply for the program, visit ucollege.edu/leadership.

Master of Occupational Therapy

This unique bridge program allows occupational therapy assistants to complete a master’s degree and practice as an occupational therapist. The new degree will pair perfectly with Union’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, allowing students to complete an associate’s and a master’s degree in four years.

The MOT program will enroll its first class in Fall 2024. Union College will open the application within the next calendar year. Courses will be offered online, with clinicals conducted in person.

Expanding Graduate Programs

These three programs will significantly expand Union’s graduate offerings. Since 2008, the Master of Physician Assistant studies has been the college’s lone master’s degree. The 33-month program currently graduates approximately 30 students per year into a field consistently ranked one of the best careers by Forbes magazine and other publications.

“Union College professors will bring the same rigorous instruction paired with the quality personal attention to each student that Union is known for,” said Sauder. “Union College is the perfect fit for students who value an institution dedicated to their success and with extensive experience in healthcare and leadership education.”

The original version of this story was posted on the North American Division website.