Shenandoah University Adds New Academic Programs For 2026-27
New offerings include three master’s degrees and two undergraduate certificates
Shenandoah University continues to broaden its academic offerings with the addition of three new master’s degrees, two undergraduate certificates and a handful of new minors for the 2026-27 academic year.
New in Fall 2026 are a Master of Science in nutrition and dietetics, two fully online graduate Master of Arts programs in teaching and strategic narrative communication, and an undergraduate certificate in communication science and disorders. Shenandoah is also adding an undergraduate certificate in air traffic control, and new minors include human-computer interaction; actuarial science; arts, creativity and expression; and environmentally sustainable enterprise.
“At Shenandoah University, we’re committed to providing innovative, high-demand academic programs that prepare our students to excel and lead in rapidly evolving industries, and these new programs reflect that commitment to academic excellence,” said Shenandoah Provost Karen Abraham, Ph.D. “We take pride in not only our ability to develop and implement programming that meets the challenges and needs of today’s society, but our ability to do so in ways that meet our students wherever they are in their educational journeys.”
The M.S. in nutrition and dietetics trains students in the knowledge, clinical skills and professional competencies needed to serve diverse populations and address the most pressing nutrition and health challenges. Graduates of this program will be prepared for careers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, public health organizations, schools, corporate wellness programs, private practice, rehab centers, sports nutrition, and the food industry.
The M.A. in strategic narrative communication is a fully online, one-year program that educates students to lead in an evolving media landscape by combining the power of storytelling with today’s dynamic communication tools. Students will develop advanced skills in audience engagement, brand narrative, digital marketing and immersive storytelling using platforms such as augmented/virtual/extended reality, podcasts, and AI-generated media.
The M.A. in teaching is a fully online, asynchronous program designed for provisionally licensed teachers who are seeking a full professional teaching license. It includes three concentrations: elementary, middle or secondary education.
Shenandoah’s undergraduate certificate in air traffic control is a two-year program that will provide the academic foundation and simulation-based training required to pursue a career as an FAA Tower Air Traffic Controller, one of the most in-demand careers in the federal workforce. Students will develop proficiency through a hybrid curriculum that combines classroom instruction and hands-on learning through Shenandoah’s new Air Traffic Control Simulation Lab. (This program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.)
The undergraduate certificate in communication sciences and disorders is for students who are interested in a career in speech-language pathology or audiology, and provides the foundational knowledge and skill development required to transition to graduate-level education and future employment in a variety of healthcare and educational settings.
Additionally, Shenandoah has launched two engineering programs – a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics and a B.S. in computer engineering – in collaboration with international partner Yangtze Normal University in China. Students enrolled in the program will complete all four years of study in China.
