By BRIAN TYNES

Staff Writer

Health information administration will be the first online bachelor's degree program at the university, pending approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Helen Baxter, program director of health information technology, said they are currently working with other departments to make all the necessary classes available.

"All the classes in our curriculum are being prepared to be online by fall," Baxter said.

"We are working with biology, psychology, English, math, social science and the appreciation classes to get them phased into our program."

Angela Kennedy, a professor of health information management, said the GER classes will only be online certain times of the year because of the rigid structure of the program.

Kennedy said she hopes students throughout campus can take advantage of the online program.

"The plan is for other students to take classes, but it will depend on the number of health students [enrolled online]," Kennedy said.

Kennedy said this bachelor's degree will allow students who have completed that coursework to continue their education online.

"Someone who has achieved a two-year degree in health information technology can return and get a degree in health information administration," Kennedy said.

Kennedy said students will have to apply for the online program and seek acceptance regardless of current enrollment status.

"A student can't be an on campus student and take classes online just because they want to," Kennedy said.

"[Prospective students] will have to demonstrate skills in computer literacy and validate their access to equipment."

Kennedy said she feels this program will open the door to give more students a chance at a college education.

As far as the program being approved by the Board of Regents, Kennedy said she is confident the program will be allowed to continue with its current plans.

"We're pretty sure it will be approved because it is already an existing program."

The Board of Regents is set to vote on the program Friday.