Cedar Falls, Iowa — University of Northern Iowa president Mark Nook says UNI’s plan to start a nursing program is part of a reassessment of university programs.
UNI administrators say the new bachelor of science in nursing should be launched in 2024, to help address the nursing shortage. There’s also a shortage of accountants and CPAs. UNI already offers an accounting degree to students at the Cedar Falls campus, but Nook says that could expand soon.
Nook says he and other UNI officials are looking at how to expand academic programs in applied engineering and what some call “big data” because students are seeking those skills.
Nook says colleges and universities around the country are facing enrollment headwinds, because fewer high school graduates are pursing a four-year degree, so figuring out which majors are most attractive to students that do intend to go to college is key.
UNI’s enrollment peaked in 2000, at more than 14-thousand students. This fall’s enrollment is just under nine-thousand students. Nook made his comments during a weekend appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS.
