April 05, 2012

PASSHE Board of Governors approves new degree programs

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

Harrisburg – The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) today approved three new degree programs, all designed to address growing workforce needs. The new programs are:
•Bachelor of Science in software engineering at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
•Bachelor of Applied Science in technology leadership at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
•Bachelor of Science in mechatronics engineering technology at California University of Pennsylvania
The Bachelor of Science in software engineering degree at Shippensburg University is designed to prepare students for careers developing large-scale software while working in highly effective development teams.
Graduates will have the skills necessary to design, construct and test large-scale software systems. They will understand the tools and techniques used by software development teams to plan and manage such projects, and will be ready to help meet the large and growing demand for trained software developers in the Commonwealth and surrounding region.
The Bachelor of Applied Science in technology leadership at Clarion University will be offered completely online and is designed to provide those with associate degrees in applied science a pathway to a baccalaureate degree in order to enhance their skills and their career opportunities. The program will offer a combination of coursework and field experiences in leadership development, business skills and advanced technology.
Online course offerings will enable those enrolled in the program to achieve their academic goals while also meeting family and work demands.
The programs at Shippensburg and Clarion will be offered beginning this fall.
The Bachelor of Science degree in mechatronics engineering technology at Cal U. will be offered beginning in Fall 2013. The program is designed to provide graduates with a high-tech skill set and knowledge in mechanical, electrical and computing technology through automated control and information systems.
The state Department of Labor and Industry has identified these skills as a high priority for future jobs. In a study of 280 U.S. companies, growth rates averaging 20 percent were reported in the manufacturing, service, medical and robotics sectors, all of which represent future employers for graduates of the new program.
For more information about any of the new programs, please contact the appropriate university.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth, with nearly 120,000 students. The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. About 500,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.
The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.