Academic Programs Continue to Grow
The development of the Brown School of Business and Leadership, which brings together faculty from information systems, legal studies, and business, provided the University with the chance to develop an entrepreneurial environment for faculty and students. This growth is the most recent step in the expansion of academic offerings at Stevenson. A bachelor’s degree in medical technology was added during the 2005–06 academic year to replace the two-year medical laboratory technology program. A bachelor’s degree in public history was also added. Stevenson was pleased to announce a new bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in August 2009. This degree was offered online for students in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies and for traditional students.
In recent years, the nursing department has received significant federal support. In December 2004, Sen. Barbara Mikulski visited the college to announce nearly $250,000 in federal funds to support distance-learning efforts utilizing the Verizon Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. In 2006, the College received the largest grant in its history—just over $1,000,000 to expand the nursing program. Also in 2006, the nursing department graduated the first students from the distance-learning program as students from the Eastern Shore received their bachelor's degrees as part of a partnership with Chesapeake College. The department has partnerships with eight community colleges to bring bachelor’s degree classes to students enrolled in those schools. In August 2006 , the College began offering its successful Master of Science in Forensic Studies degree online to professionals across the country. The program, launched in 2004, now trains forensic investigators in six tracks—accounting, criminalistics, computer forensics, interdisciplinary, investigation, and law. The first graduates of the program received their diplomas in May 2006.
Villa Julie took a leadership role in educating Maryland's future teachers in March 2008 when it announced the creation of the state's first teacher preparation program for middle school educators.