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KANSAS CITY, MO and CHICAGO (December 13, 2021) – Rockhurst University and ������Ƶ Education will launch four new online and hybrid degree programs, including two online graduate programs, one online graduate certificate program, and one hybrid undergraduate degree designed to further Rockhurst University’s  goal to become a regional leader in health care education and to help fill the need for skilled, compassionate health care providers

The new programs scheduled to launch in August 2022 are:

• Hybrid Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
  • Dual Track Program: FNP and AGACNP
• Second Master of Science in Nursing, FNP
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate

With 25% of Missourians living in rural areas, these programs will be offered predominately online with campus residencies to build and assess clinical competencies. The hybrid ABSN involves a two-week clinical residency at health centers in or near Kansas City for hands-on instruction, skill-building and direct patient care experiences. These offerings expand Rockhurst's on-campus programs to enable future and existing students to meet the health care needs of diverse populations through rigorous academics, rich and varied clinical experiences and a spirit of inquiry and reflection.

“By partnering with ������Ƶ Education to offer these nursing programs in low residency format to students outside Kansas City, Rockhurst graduates will be able to serve the varied and complex healthcare needs of individuals and organizations in rural areas. These programs will provide opportunities for students to develop a meaningful career while addressing healthcare disparities in their communities,” said Kristina Henry, DNP, Associate Dean for Nursing and Chief Nursing Academic Administrator.

As one of 27 Catholic Jesuit higher education institutions in the United States, Rockhurst University offers a learner-centered, service-oriented, and community-minded approach, developing reflective leaders who are ethical, inclusive, and compassionate professionals committed to promoting justice for all.

 “At Rockhurst University, we are committed to caring for and being with others in and outside the classroom and to offering a learning environment that emphasizes social justice and service,” said Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., president of Rockhurst University. “By partnering with ������Ƶ Education, Rockhurst will be able to extend our reach to a more diverse student cohort of nursing professionals who will put “cura personalis” [care of the whole person] into action.”

"Across the state of Missouri, we’re seeing a shortage in health professionals as 70 out of 114 counties were designated as health professional shortage areas for primary care according to Rural Health Information Hub," said Steve Fireng, Global CEO at ������Ƶ Education. “This suite of programs from Rockhurst University will enable students who live outside of the local Kansas City area the ability to upskill and reskill to become registered nurses and nurse practitioners and directly impact the lives of Missourians across the state.”

Universities across the country are partnering with EdTech companies like ������Ƶ Education to design and deliver online programs aligned to the skills demands of the future of work and that help solve our global social and economic challenges. University faculty design and teach the program curriculum, and ������Ƶ provides the program management to support an enhanced online student learning experience, including marketing, recruitment, student placement, and support services.

About Rockhurst University:

Rockhurst University, founded in 1910 and located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition committed to providing inclusive, innovative and transformative education. As a comprehensive university and supportive community of nearly 4,000 students, its mission is to form lifelong learners in the liberal arts tradition who engage the complexities of our world and serve others as compassionate, thoughtful leaders. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Rockhurst among the top Midwest Regional Universities. Rockhurst has held the community engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching since 2010. Learn more at .

About ������Ƶ Education:

Founded in 2014, ������Ƶ Education is a global, market-leading EdTech company in the online program management (OPM) market. In collaboration with its 35 university partners, ������Ƶ delivers career-relevant, technology-enabled online higher education programs to students to prepare them for the future of work.

The suite of services ������Ƶ provides to its university partners includes designing, developing, launching, marketing, and managing online programs. ������Ƶ also undertakes market research and provides student recruitment, support, and placement services. The services ������Ƶ provides are underpinned by ������ƵEDGE, its integrated technology, and data platform.

������Ƶ has over 700 employees with partners and operations in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Malaysia.

For more information contact:
Ashley McGuire, Senior Corporate Communications Manager
������Ƶ Education
ashley.mcguire@keypathedu.com

Katherine Frohoff, Director of University Relations
Rockhurst University
katherine.frohoff@rockhurst.edu