Academics
College Announces Information Technology Program Enhancements
Enhancements Include New Transfer Opportunities for Graduates
Raleigh, NC (July 29, 2020) – Wake Tech’s Information Technology programs are well known for providing cutting-edge training and producing highly-qualified graduates – and now those graduates have exciting new options for starting careers while continuing to learn. Wake Tech held a virtual meeting with top IT representatives in the Triangle today to update them on significant advances in IT education at the college.
Central in these discussions were new articulation agreements that will allow Wake Tech A.A.S. (Associate in Applied Science) degree graduates to transfer seamlessly into bachelor’s degree programs at four leading universities. The agreements are as follows:
UNC Charlotte – Bachelor of Science in Data Science
Wake Tech degrees:
- Computer Programming and Development
- Data Science
- Business Analytics
NC A&T – Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Wake Tech degrees:
- Computer Programming and Development
- Networking
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Infrastructure
NC Central University – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Business
Wake Tech degrees:
- Computer Programming and Development
Northeastern University – Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Wake Tech degrees:
- Computer Programming and Development
- Data Science
- Cybersecurity
As part of our partnership with Northeastern University, Wake Tech students are participating in a program piloting remote internships. Using a technology platform supplied by Northeastern under a National Science Foundation Grant, six students from Wake Tech participated in the program this summer. The program will be expanded in the fall.
“There’s been a lot of recent debate in the technology sector about the value of skills versus degrees,” said Wake Tech president Dr. Scott Ralls. “Through our work at Wake Tech, we’re saying ‘why should students have to choose?’ In-demand technology skills are important for attaining jobs, and advanced degrees are often required to progress in a career, and our work in programs and partnerships at Wake Tech will allow IT students to accomplish both.”
The carefully-crafted agreements specify how the Wake Tech degree programs align with the bachelor’s degree programs at UNC Charlotte, NC A&T, NC Central, and Northeastern University. In addition, the bachelor’s degree programs can be completed online, allowing Wake Tech graduates to begin working as they further their education and professional growth.
“Skilled technicians are the lifeblood of our region’s outstanding IT industry,” says Tom Looney, Wake Tech board chair and retired IT executive. “These transfer agreements will help provide local companies with the qualified workforce needed to drive our economy, while giving Wake Tech graduates new options for continuing their education.”
In addition to these new university transfer partnerships, the regional IT employers also heard about other significant recent advancements in Wake Tech IT programs that include:
Cybersecurity – Wake Tech was named a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Wake Tech becomes one of only nine colleges and universities in North Carolina with this designation of recognition for meeting rigorous program requirements and for having a robust cybersecurity education program.
Analytics/Data Science – Wake Tech has participated with a select group of North Carolina universities in a pilot sponsored by the Business Roundtable and the Business Higher Education Foundation in furthering development of a digital credential signaling employers to key information technology and analytics competencies held by program graduates. Wake Tech has restructured the data science concentration of it Computer Programing and Development degree, and its Business Analytics certificate program to enable students to meet the competencies of the national credential.
Simulation and Game Development – Wake Tech’s highly-regarded Simulation and Game Development program is making significant steps forward in photogrammetry, thanks to a recent National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education grant. Photogrammetry is the art and science of extracting 3D information from photographs, resulting in the advanced computer graphics now popular in gaming and films. New courses and a new lab at Wake Tech’s Southern Wake Campus now enable students to gain these advanced, high-demand skills. Once students graduate from the program, William Peace University offers a seamless transfer opportunity to earn the baccalaureate in Simulation and Game Design.
“An additional focus for our immediate future is expanding our non-degree, advanced IT training opportunities, and enabling individuals with certifications to attain course credit in our IT degree programs as appropriate,” noted Dr. Keith Babuszczak, Wake Tech IT Programs Provost and RTP Campus Chief Campus Officer.
Last year Wake Tech reorganized its IT programs to enable more seamless opportunities between degree and non-degree program areas. http://it.waketech.edu
