Arkansas Tech University has received permission from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) to begin offering a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science education.
The program proposal was previously reviewed and approved by the Arkansas Tech Faculty Senate and the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees. With approval from the AHECB in hand, the Arkansas Tech Department of Computer and Information Science intends to begin offering the degree during the fall 2016 semester.
“Arkansas Tech is well-positioned to be a leader in the development of computer science teachers because of the strength of our program and the strength of our College of Education,” said Dr. David Hoelzeman, head of the Arkansas Tech Department of Computer and Information Science. “This is an exciting step for our department and our university.”
Arkansas Tech offers Bachelor of Science degrees in computer science and information systems that are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET, Inc., the national accrediting board for engineering and technology.
When Arkansas Tech achieved those distinctions, it became the first university in the State of Arkansas and one of only 24 nationwide to receive ABET accreditation in information systems. Tech was one of the first three institutions in Arkansas to have its computer science program accredited by ABET.
“There will be a great demand for computer science teachers in the years to come as we, as a state, strive to produce a generation with the ability to code,” said Dr. Mary Gunter, dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Education and Graduate College. “Arkansas Tech intends to be at the forefront of meeting this demand by producing graduates who, like all of our teacher candidates, understand that teaching is a noble calling and critical to the continued development of our economy and our society.”
