LINCOLN – The Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges approved two new degree program options for Peru State College. The two new options are included under the Business Administration major:
- Healthcare Business Option
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Business Option.
“Peru State College is committed to meeting Nebraska’s workforce needs,” said Dr. Michael Evans, President of Peru State College. “These programs will help students launch meaningful careers in high-demand fields—a win for them, and a win for Nebraska.”
The Business Administration—Healthcare Business option is designed to provide a strong business core and healthcare-focused courses. The focused healthcare courses provide the student with skills that develop the ability to navigate the unique challenges of healthcare organizations including hospital, outpatient, and ancillary services.
The program supports the state’s increasing need for healthcare workers, so it is consistent not only with the College’s mission, but with the NSCS mission and CCPE State Plan as well.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Medical and Health Services Managers earned a median salary of $101,340 in 2021. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level positions. The occupation is seeing 32% growth between 2020-2030, which is much faster than average. On May 23, 2022, there were 128 job openings in Nebraska according to the Nebraska Department of Labor in this category. For those openings, there were only 82 candidates who had active resumes in the workforce system.
According to the BLS, “Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers.” They recruit, train, and supervise staff members of health care offices; develop and manage budgets; keep and organize records for the facility; and communicate with members of the medical staff.
Examples of jobs in this field include:
- Clinic Data Analyst
- Billing and Information Systems Manager
- Patient Access Representative
- Hospital or Nursing Home Administrator
- Healthcare Operations Manager
- Clinic Manager
- Practice Administrator
- Health Information Manager
The Business Administration – Accounting: CMA Option prepares students for high-demand careers in financial reporting and management. Initial coursework is designed to prepare students for entry-level accounting positions in government and private industry.
The CMA is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance. To receive the certification, accountants must pass a two-part exam that includes twelve (12) competencies.
There are more than 100,000 accounting and finance professionals around the world with the certification and 5,000 are granted each year. According to the organization that provides the certification, The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business, having the certification increases the pay of its holders and provides career advancement.
On May 27, 2022, there were 752 openings for Accountants and Auditors in the state of Nebraska, according to the Department of Labor website. According to O*Net Online, the CMA certification is in demand. The CMA certification is often listed as a requirement or preference for Accountant positions.
