COLORADO SPRINGS – Colorado Technical University (CTU) announced the launch of two new programs that are available online: an Associate of Science in Health Administration Services (ASHAS) and a Master of Science in Management (MSM) with a concentration in enterprise information systems.

The Associate of Science in Health Administration Services (ASHAS) is designed to provide training in the principles and techniques used in the administrative side of the healthcare industry. This online degree program offers students the opportunity to learn about healthcare finance, human resources, healthcare administration, reimbursement systems and healthcare records, as well as regulatory, ethical and legal issues facing the industry. As part of the curriculum, the program also offers students the opportunity to participate in a professional learning experience in a healthcare setting.

The ASHAS degree is also designed to prepare students to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam offered by the National Health Career Association. This exam is voluntary, but passing it can be a further indication that a graduate is capable of performing the administrative and clinical tasks necessary to keep offices and physicians clinics running smoothly.

The MSM with a concentration in enterprise information systems was developed as a result of a partnership with a Fortune 150 company and one of the world's largest providers of information technology services. CTU worked with the company's office in the Colorado Springs area that was looking for a culture change through employee professional development.

"Working with our education partner we developed an advanced degree that met its business needs," said Mike Boyd, vice president of the Center for Business and Community Partnerships at CTU Colorado Springs. "We started with a small group of students and then saw that this degree could be applicable to students and employers nationwide."

The program will help students learn how to analyze, create and manage technical solutions that work across an entire organization, not just specific departments or business functions. This is especially important given the complexities of today's larger organizations. The program teaches professional skills, including effectively presenting technology goals, solutions and budgets for upper-management approval; determining and calculating project risks; and planning projects based on time, cost, resources and technical specifications.

"These online programs demonstrate our commitment to career-relevant curricula designed to meet today's changing workforce needs and opportunities," said David Leasure, interim chief executive officer for CTU. "Through these degree programs, students will develop practical skills that should expand their career opportunities – whether they're seeking to advance in their current jobs or wanting to switch professions."