NASHVILLE — Western Governors University (WGU), parent university of WGU Tennessee, has announced the addition of a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) degree program through its College of Information Technology. The new degree program is in response to the great demand for computer science graduates. In Tennessee, there are more than 6,000 open jobs and only 625 graduates in the computer science field.
“There are more technology jobs in Tennessee than there are qualified applicants to fill them,” said Kimberly K. Estep, Ph.D., chancellor of WGU Tennessee. “This is especially true in Nashville, where a recent LinkedIn study found that the four skills in shortest supply in Nashville were all in the IT field. We’re committed to partnering with businesses to help fill the pipeline of qualified talent and create greater opportunity for working Tennesseans.”
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.
The need for computer science graduates is not exclusive to Tennessee. 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 $3,190 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.
