Central State University, the historically Black educational institution in Wilberforce, Ohio, has announced the creation of two new bachelor’s degree programs. The university will offer a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. These two new degrees will bring the total number of possible majors at the university to 40.
The agricultural education major was developed in response to the growing demand for agricultural teachers in the state. Considering that there are more than 300 agricultural education programs in Ohio high schools, the current supply of credentialed candidates is insufficient. Jon Henry, director of the School of Agricultural Education and Food Science, said, “an agricultural education degree also provides an excellent foundation for other careers in the agriculture industry, including extension, food production, agribusiness and management.”
The exercise science degree program will be housed in the College of Science and Engineering. It will offer concentrations in four areas: sports performance, clinical exercise physiology, organizational health and wellness, or integrative exercise physiology.
Pedro L. Martinez, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Central State, said that “these two degrees will prepare our graduates for jobs in growing fields, where trained professionals are needed. By adding degrees that address industry needs, we continue to prepare Central State students to contribute to Ohio’s workforce and to the economic development of the state.”
