New Academic Programs
To promote innovation in academics, a primary focus of Dr. Prisco’s first months as president was to institute programs to ensure the University remains at the cutting-edge of the evolving needs of today’s workforce.
The School of Business & Professional Studies established new career-ready academic programs for Fall 2022 with Applied Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, and Esports & Gaming Administration, all areas of growth in the job marketplace. The new programs were selected to offer students majors that allow them to not only find fulfilling careers but also to help graduates of Holy Family serve the workforce demands of the surrounding communities.
The University’s School of Nursing & Health Sciences expanded its programming as one of the region’s leading schools in addressing the critical need for medical professionals in Philadelphia and beyond. The School expanded the scope of its renowned Second Degree BSN program, named a Top 10 Accelerated Nursing Program in Philadelphia for both 2021 and 2022 by Best Value Schools, by offering the program as a hybrid format available to select regions nationwide. The program delivers classes online and clinical placements in the students’ communities to address the need for nurses throughout the United States. In addition, the School added a bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Science to meet the ongoing demand for skilled radiologic technicians. The degree was designed as a career advancement opportunity for those in the field interested in supervision and management roles.
The School of Education continues to ensure its programs are accessible to all students who desire to
become impactful educators. Initiatives like the Early Childhood Education Pathway Program, which has program-to-program agreements with Bucks County Community College and Community College of Philadelphia, offer flexible options both in-person and online to meet students where they are in their journeys toward teacher certification. In addition, through funding provided by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the School of Education has expanded experiential learning opportunities for Special Education majors to foster experience in real-world educational settings.
The School of Arts & Sciences experienced similar innovation across a variety of programs, from the new Mac lab in Holy Family Hall to the relaunch of Folio, the University’s literary magazine, as a digital publication to give students experience in the rapidly expanding field of digital publication. And across all schools, every student in every major will now have an internship or field experience.