The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has formally approved the offering of a master of science degree for criminal justice majors and a bachelor of science degree in emergency management at TSU Fort Wayne, an institution within Tri-State University’s School of Professional Studies. The commission also approved an online bachelor’s degree with a major in business administration.

A visit May 14 and 15 by the HLC, the university’s accrediting organization, produced a positive recommendation for the two new majors and the master’s degree. The focused visit followed as the school’s leadership requested curriculum and program changes, said SPS Dean Jean Deller. The three requests were granted with no restrictions.

Those gathered for the focused meeting included members of the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana, who expressed optimism with the offering of the emergency management and criminal justice majors, Deller said. These programs will be based in the new Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana, opening January 2008.

TSU criminal justice alumni who have requested the master’s degree program will receive letters about the new offering, Deller said. But the new programs will benefit the larger community, as well. “This gives Fort Wayne adult students the opportunity to enroll in new programs not offered elsewhere,” Deller said. For more information on the new degree offerings, contact Nita Kissick at 260.483.4949. See www.hlcommission.org for information on the HLC.