When the new academic year begins at UNLV on Aug. 28, it will bring with it hundreds of new students, including the university's first group of Millennium Scholars.

Also new on campus will be several additional degree programs in education, the fine arts, and biochemistry, as well as a new minor in secondary education.

Preliminary fall enrollment estimates show a possible enrollment increase of 4 to 5 percent over last year's fall enrollment figure of 23,337, said Juanita P. Fain, vice president for administration.

"These early estimates are just that -- estimates," Fain emphasized. "It's impossible for us to get a firm count until a few weeks after the semester begins. We usually have our final count sometime in October."

The new Millennium Scholarship program, which was launched by Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn using tobacco settlement money, offers substantial financial aid to qualified students. It is expected to attract hundreds of additional students to university and community college campuses across the state.

UNLV President Carol C. Harter said initial estimates indicate 1,400 Millennium Scholars will be enrolling at UNLV for fall semester.

"We are excited that the Millennium Scholarship program is providing us the opportunity to have even more of the state's best students joining the UNLV academic community this fall and in the future," Harter said.

UNLV students will have several additional degree programs from which to choose beginning this fall.

The College of Education will be offering a new doctoral degree in special education and an executive doctor of education degree in educational leadership. The college also will begin offering a minor in secondary education in an effort to help the Clark County School District meet its need for additional teachers.

A doctor of musical arts - performance degree will be available from the College of Fine Arts, as will a master of fine arts in screenwriting.

Students interested in science will find a new bachelor's degree in biochemistry available through the College of Sciences.

Additionally, a certificate program in nursing case management now is available through the College of Health Sciences.

The doctoral degree program in special education is designed to prepare its students to assume leadership positions in the special education field, including university faculty positions. It includes an intensive research component.

The executive doctorate in educational leadership is intended for experienced school district administrators who show promise to move into the ranks of superintendents and assistant superintendents. The program includes an internship component.

For UNLV science, math, and English majors interested in teaching at the secondary school level, a minor in secondary education now is available. This program was designed specifically in response to the demand in the Clark County School District for more English, math, and science teachers.

The doctor of musical arts degree - performance being offered through the College of Fine Arts is the first doctoral degree in music to be offered in Nevada. It is designed to strengthen the students' musical and performance abilities while at the same time preparing them to teach music in their area of expertise at the university or college level. The program includes extensive performance requirements.

The master of fine arts in screenwriting degree is the first graduate-level film degree offered in the state. An MFA in screenwriting is considered to be the top degree in the screenwriting field. The program was created in response to the demand for high quality screenwriting programs and to help support the film industry in Nevada.

The College of Sciences is launching a new bachelor's degree in biochemistry -- the study of the chemical composition of living things. It combines course work in biology and chemistry and is intended to provide students with the theoretical and technical skills necessary to obtain employment in industry or to pursue either medical or doctoral degrees.

The certificate program in nursing case management now is available through the College of Health Sciences. Graduate study in nursing case management at the certificate level enables nurses to expand their roles within the profession. The goal of case management is to make sure that a client receives needed service in a supportive, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

For additional information on one of these new degree, minor, or certificate programs, call UNLV at 895-3011 and ask for the college or department offering the program.