SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – American International College in Springfield is launching a new master’s program aimed at helping solve the national nurse shortage by putting more health care administrators and teachers in the field.

“I’m delighted that our nursing division has been so responsive to the nursing situation that we face here in the region and across the country,” college President Harry J. Courniotes said.

Training people to teach nursing students is a critical component of boosting the numbers, Courniotes said. The nation is short 110,000 nurses. More nurses and health care professionals will be needed as baby boomers age.

Anne R. Glanovsky, AIC’s director of the division of nursing, said the program will offer courses in the afternoon and evening to accommodate students who work.

Students will be able to take courses during the regular academic year and during the summer.

“We have a very strong undergraduate program here, and this will certainly strengthen what we offer,” Glanovsky said.

Students now studying for four-year degrees in the field said they expect to take advantage of the opportunity when ready to pursue higher degrees. “I’m definitely going to want my master’s at some point, and this program sounds wonderful; it’s a service for the community and for nurses,” said junior Sharon M. Goncalves of Springfield.

Classes for the two-year program will begin in January for a two-year master of science program in either nursing education or administration.

Starting salaries for nurses can top $30,000, and they frequently come with signing bonuses or other incentives.