Graduate programs drive record enrollment growth at OSU-CHS

Graduate programs drive record enrollment growth at OSU-CHS

Friday, September 19, 2025

Media Contact: Sara Plummer | Senior Communications Coordinator | 918-561-1282 | [email protected]

OSU Center for Health Sciences broke a new record this fall semester. For the first time, enrollment in its Graduate Programs has surpassed 2,000 students.

"Over the past decade at OSU-CHS, we've seen steady enrollment growth and anticipated reaching that 2,000-student milestone was on the horizon," said Aaron Christensen, director of Graduate Programs at OSU-CHS. "While it's certainly a benchmark worth celebrating, it also reflects our ongoing efforts to expand access to graduate education and support student success."

Graduate Programs at OSU-CHS include the schools of Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Sciences and Health Care Administration (HCA) as well as the Athletic Training program and Physician Assistant program.

Overall, Graduate Programs at OSU-CHS saw a 23% increase in enrollment, with the largest growth occurring in the HCA and Forensic Sciences programs, which had enrollment increases of 35% and 19% respectively.

Before he was named president of OSU in 2025, Jim Hess served as vice provost of Graduate Programs at OSU-CHS. During his 20-plus years at OSU-CHS he was instrumental in the development and growth of the Graduate Programs including the HCA and Forensic Sciences programs.

Bavette Miller, PhD., MHA, is chair of the School of Health Care Administration, and said the growth of the HCA program is primarily due to the doctorate in Health Care Administration degree, which launched in 2022.

"That first semester exceeded our enrollment expectation, and we've had nothing but significant growth since the launch," Miller said. "This growth shows we have a high-quality, student-focused vision for training health care administrators to better strengthen the health care workforce."

The Forensics programs have also seen steady enrollment growth in recent years due to expanded curriculum and the addition of the doctorate in Forensic Sciences degree, said Dr. Jason Beaman, chair of the School of Forensic Sciences.

"I think this is a reflection of the top-notch, nationally renowned faculty we bring to the program. Our students are learning from the leaders in the field - professors that are at the pinnacle of their careers and expertise," Beaman said. "Our degrees are valued, recognized and respected around the world and especially in federal and local law enforcement agencies and their forensic departments."

Another reason for the incredible growth is more than half of the graduate students at OSU-CHS are enrolled in fully online programs, including those in the HCA and Forensic Sciences schools.

"By offering virtual options, we've expanded access well beyond our campus, welcoming students from across the country, and in some cases, around the world," Christensen said. "This flexibility has been a key driver of our enrollment growth allowing us to serve students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a graduate education with OSU."

OSU-CHS currently offers 24 graduate degree programs with additional programs expected to launch in the next few years, so there's good reason to expect the growth will continue.

"Much of our growth comes from word-of-mouth, as satisfied students share their experiences and successes with others," he said. "We'll continue to focus on developing new graduate programs that align with workforce needs while ensuring every student graduates with both a rewarding academic experience and strong career opportunities."