Northeastern University-Charlotte Adding Seven Master's Degrees and First Two Doctoral Degrees to Curriculum in North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeastern University–Charlotte is expanding its curriculum by adding nine new graduate degree programs, including seven master's degrees and the first two doctoral degrees approved for a university based outside of North Carolina.

Classes for the new programs, which were approved by the UNC Board of Governors, will begin in the fall.

"Northeastern University provides high-demand graduate programs aligned with the needs of industry in region and around the world," said Dr. Cheryl Richards, chief executive officer and regional dean of Northeastern University–Charlotte. "We are committed to educating and empowering tomorrow's leaders as they seek the ability to effect meaningful change in their careers."

According to Bob Morgan, president and chief executive officer of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, companies often cite access to a highly skilled talent pool as among the top reasons they chose to relocate to Charlotte.

"Institutions of higher learning like Northeastern University play an important role in providing industry with talent that is aligned with the needs of the regional workplace," Morgan said. "The new graduate degree programs offered by Northeastern will continue to fill specific industry niches that are critically important to the long-term economic health of the Charlotte region."

Northeastern University–Charlotte, which opened in center city in 2011, now offers 17 degree programs in six industry-aligned sectors:

• Business – Master of Science in Finance, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Taxation
• Education – Master of Education (M.Ed.)
• Government & Civic Engagement – Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration
• Healthcare – Master of Science in Health Informatics, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT), Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices
• Leadership & Management – Master of Science in Leadership, Master of Science in Project Management, Master of Sports Leadership
• Science, Technology & Engineering – Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Energy Systems, Master of Science in Engineering Management, Master of Science in Health Informatics, Master of Science in Information Assurance.

"Today's professionals want career-changing opportunities to blend theory with practice in their careers," Richards said. "Northeastern University's degree programs are designed with these working professionals in mind as they adapt to the evolving demands of a 21^st century global workforce."

For more information on Northeastern University–Charlotte, including master and doctoral degree programs, visit www.northeastern.edu/charlotte.

About Northeastern University–Charlotte
Northeastern University is a top-tier private research university that provides high-demand graduate programs aligned with the needs of industry in Charlotte and around the globe. From the corner of Trade and Tryon, degrees from Northeastern connect students with expert faculty and with a network of mentors and peers in more than 150 countries. The university started with an innovative idea – education is about engaging with the world to solve problems and lead change. It is a distinctive approach that infuses programs, faculty, and students and alumni – and has earned the university top national rankings for entrepreneurship and innovation from Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines.

Northeastern University–Charlotte is committed to Charlotte's residents and businesses – bringing many of the vast resources of its top-tier private research university to the region.  In addition to its industry-aligned graduate programs, Northeastern students and local employers have access to unparalleled cooperative education programs, which now reach 92 different countries and spans all seven continents.  Further, Northeastern University's 37 research centers represent collaborations with global partners and leading scholars who drive solutions to challenges in health, security, and sustainability.

SOURCE Northeastern University, Charlotte