Edwards Campus to Offer Bachelor Degree in Information Technology

The Kansas Board of Regents approved a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) degree that will be offered on the KU Edwards Campus through the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The Edwards Campus has offered a Master’s Degree in Information Technology (MSIT) since 2006. EECS Professor Hossein Saiedian, associate chair for Edwards Campus programs, will lead the BSIT program, which is the second new degree program made possible through the Johnson County Education Research Triangle.

The Kansas Department of Labor indicates IT related careers are among the fastest growing occupations in the state. “The BSIT degree is an important addition to the Edwards Campus and is a direct result from the increase in information technology demand in the workforce,” said Bob Clark, vice chancellor of the KU Edwards Campus. “This program will not only prepare students for real world challenges, but also contribute to economic growth in Kansas and the Johnson County region.”

The BSIT degree program is designed for community college students who are working adults seeking higher education during evenings and for professionals seeking to enhance and upgrade their technical knowledge. The BSIT program is a collaborative effort with Johnson County Community College (JCCC). Students can obtain an associate’s degree in IT at JCCC, followed by a BSIT and an MSIT, both from KU Edwards Campus.

“JCCC is proud of its strong and enduring partnership with the University of Kansas Edwards Campus,” said JCCC president Terry Calaway. “This new degree completion program and its collaborative design further reflect our institutions’ shared commitment to providing innovative higher education options here in Johnson County.”

The degree will combine undergraduate courses with content including Web systems and technologies, information assurance and security, computer networking, information and technology management, legal aspects of information technology and many others. The combination of curriculum in the program will provide students with expertise that can be applied immediately to careers. Classes begin fall 2012.