SALT LAKE CITY — Western Governors University’s (WGU) College of Information Technology announced today the addition of a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) degree program. This program, which is online and competency-based, includes valuable certifications from CIW, CompTIA, Axelos, and Oracle, at no additional cost. Students who apply now can begin their program as early as June 1, 2018.
In 2015, there were almost 10 times more computing jobs open in the U.S. than qualified computer science graduates. In addition, the demand for computer scientists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2016 to 2026, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. WGU’s BSCS will teach graduates to design, develop, and optimize systems, preparing them for opportunities in careers such as computer systems analyst, programmer, AI specialist, software engineer, UX designer, and network architect.
“This new degree program was developed in collaboration with industry and academic experts and will prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills employers are seeking in areas such as logic, architecture and systems, data structures, artificial intelligence, algorithms, and computer theory,” said John Balderree, WGU’s Vice President of Academic Operations for the College of Information Technology.
Competency-based education (CBE) is a good fit for busy adults because it allows them to study and learn on their schedules and advance as soon as they have mastered course materials. Students can draw on the knowledge and skills they have gained from previous experience and education, moving quickly through material they already know and taking the time they need to learn new material. Students have 24/7 access to their course materials, and faculty members provide one-on-one support. Terms are six months long, and students in the BSCS are charged a flat-rate tuition of $3,225 per term, regardless of the number of courses completed. Many students are able to accelerate their studies, finishing their degrees sooner, saving both time and money.
