President Rachelle Karstens at Press Conference

Briar Cliff University to Offer Two New Programs

July 30, 2021

Briar Cliff University is proud to announce the newest programs: Sports Information and HelpCare™. These undergraduate degrees will begin in the Fall 2021 semester.

As part of the Media Communications department, Sports Information students will learn to communicate and present sports information through developing a media portfolio highlighting their writing, design, and production skills. The Media Communications program was recently ranked 17th in the national by the Bachelor’s Degree Center.

“Sports Information will be a great addition to our nationally ranked program,” Chair of the Media Communications Department Michael Crowley says. “With the increase of sports in our society at all ages and levels, there is a need for effective athletic communications professionals.”

The Sports Information curriculum includes developing skills in radio, television, print, public relations, photography, graphic design, and social media. Throughout the years, the media communications department has placed interns with the Harlem Globetrotters, Milwaukee Bucks, and WNBA.

HelpCare™ describes the career path designed to help care for others in a broader spectrum. There is a growing demand for professionals specialized in human studies in order to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions to improve people’s lives.

“After listening to the needs of our local partners, we saw an opportunity to develop a program our students can pursue to support their communities in a different type of way,” Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Provost Todd Knealing says. “We recognize the importance of a liberal arts foundation and project-based learning to immerse students in the holistic care a person needs physically, mentally, and spiritually.”

As the population grows and becomes more diverse, family dynamics are changing with increased needs for child care, elder care, and family services. HelpCare™ combines interdisciplinary professional preparation with a grounding in the liberal arts.

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