OREM, UT – November 18, 2016 – The Utah State Board of Regents has approved Snow College’s request to offer a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Software Engineering effective Fall Semester, 2017. The degree will include three areas of emphasis which students may choose: Entrepreneurship, Digital Media Design, and Web Development.
Snow College officials and economic development personnel within the College’s service region proposed that the BS in Software Engineering be offered to meet the needs of rural Utah. The degree is designed to address out-migration and serve as a catalyst to incent computer technology companies to invest in Central Utah as a place to locate operations with a trained workforce. Graduates of the program will possess the practical knowledge and skill of a defined engineering approach; the coursework builds upon computer science fundamentals and mathematical principles to cover the design, analysis, verification, validation, implementation, deployment, and maintenance of software systems. The degree will culminate in a year-long capstone sequence where students will work in teams to build software systems reflective of current industry practices. Additionally, students will be encouraged to participate in internships. Snow College plans to partner with businesses to develop these work-based learning opportunities.
Dr. Dan Black, Dean of Natural Science and Mathematics Division, said, “We believe this program will provide a path by which students can contribute, remain in our service region, enhance local economies and yet impact the entire world. It is exciting.” Sanpete County Economic Development Director Kevin Christensen, who has been heavily involved with the planning and research for this new degree, agreed. He said, “This is an important step for Snow College and our area. There is a significant demand for this degree, and our entire state will benefit by the decision made today.” The positive impact of this new degree has been the driving force for the college. Snow College President Gary Carlston said, “We are committed to our service region and want to be an effective partner with them. We appreciate the support of our community leaders and governing boards. Dr. Hood, Dean Black, and faculty members Kristal Ray and Garth Sorenson have worked tirelessly to get us to this point, and we are grateful for their leadership with this new degree. We have full confidence in our faculty and students and look forward to a successful program that fits nicely into our current mission.”
Regent Policy R312 classifies Snow College as a Comprehensive Community or Associate’s College. This classification provides that an institution may award up to ten percent of its degrees at the baccalaureate level. The Bachelor of Music, currently offered at Snow College, accounts for approximately three percent of the College’s degrees awarded in 2016. It is not anticipated that this new degree would cause Snow College to exceed the ten percent threshold.
Many of the classes required for the new bachelor degree will be offered in the new Robert M. and Joyce S. Graham Science Center, which is currently under construction on the Ephraim campus and slated for completion in August, 2017. Students interested in applying to the B.S. in Software Engineering and businesses interested in partnering with the college should visit www.snow.edu/SE or call 435-283-7000.
ABOUT SNOW COLLEGE Snow College, founded in 1888 by Utah pioneers, is a two-year college with campuses located in Ephraim and Richfield, Utah. Serving more than 5,000 students, the college has been nationally recognized for its student success rates, affordable cost-for-value, involvement opportunities, and exceptional teaching. Learn more about Snow College at www.snow.edu.
Contact: Marci Larsen
marci.larsen@snow.edu
(435) 283-7013
