The nation's first on-line master's degree program in loss prevention and safety was officially launched Monday, March 25 in a ceremony involving officials from EKU's College of Justice & Safety, Kentucky Virtual University (KYVU) and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).

The event was held as part of a regular CPE meeting in Frankfort.

Already, 31 students from several states, including California, are enrolled in three on-line classes that began in January. Three more classes will be offered this summer and three more in the fall. By that time, EKU officials expect explosive growth in the program to include students from Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world.

The 36-credit-hour program, available in its entirety through Kentucky Virtual University (www.kyvu.org), is tailored to meet the needs of working professionals in the fields of safety, fire, security, insurance, human resources and related areas. The "vast majority" of students in the first semester of the on-line program fit that description, according to Dr. Tom Schneid, director of the LPS graduate program.

"The program is structured to give them the opportunity to stay at home and do the work on their schedule," Schneid said.

The distance doesn't necessarily negate one-on-one interaction between student and professor.

"The students get as much individual instruction as they would in a classroom setting," Schneid said. "I often 'talk' to each of my on-line students two or three times a day."

Dr. Gary Cordner, dean of EKU's College of Justice & Safety, a Kentucky Program of Distinction, said: "We'll always offer our programs on campus but, in order to reach other students around the country and world, we need to use this new method of delivery.

"We're excited to be partnering with Kentucky Virtual University," Cordner added. "The infrastructure that KYVU offers through its admissions and registration system and on-line library is a tremendous benefit to our students and faculty."

Daniel Rabuzzi, chief executive officer for KYVU, said, "For EKU to put this highly acclaimed program online is an exciting development for students from across Kentucky and around the globe."

In part because of recent world events, the job market in loss prevention and safety, especially for those with graduate degrees, continues to be "phenomenal," Schneid said.

Most of those enrolled in the program "already have a job, but they want to move to the next level. A master's degree is a definite plus."

Courses in the program, taught by EKU graduate faculty in the Department of Loss Prevention and Safety, include: Loss Prevention Administration, Worker's Comp and Labor Law, Emergency Preparedness/Response, Issues in Security Management, Industrial Safety Management, Public Emergency Services, Cooperative Study, Legislation and Regulatory Compliance, Applied Study in Loss Prevention, Loss Prevention Auditing, Loss Prevention Research/Planning, Business Risk Management, Personal/Environmental Hazards, Topical Seminar, Independent Study and Thesis.

"The varied backgrounds of the instructors enhance this interdisciplinary program, which encompasses safety, security, risk management, environmental hazards and traditional emergency services," said Dr. Larry Collins, chair of the Department of Loss Prevention and Safety. "Our students are encouraged to focus their research in areas related to their interests and educational goals."

For more information, call 859-622-1051, visit www.kyvu.org or www.justice.eku.edu or e-mail tom.schneid@eku.edu or larry.collins@eku.edu.