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Indiana University Northwest to Offer Online Compsci Degree

Starting next semester, the university will offer a fully remote bachelor's degree program to attract non-local students while it develops classes to be able to offer the computer-science program in-person in the future.

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(TNS) — Indiana University Northwest will start offering a fully remote computer science degree program beginning next semester as it seeks to attract non-traditional students and those outside the Region.

The bachelor's in computer science program will be a collaboration between IUN and four other Indiana University campuses.

The program was approved by the state's Commission for Higher Education last month.

IUPUI, IU Kokomo and IU Southeast currently offer computer science degrees in-person, with them being recently approved to provide remote offerings.

The new joint program led by IUN looks to reach non-college graduates, and working professionals by providing them with the flexibility of fully online and asynchronous courses that they can take at their own pace.

And according to Olatunde Abiona, a professor of computer information systems at IUN, the program will be able to admit international students without having to worry about residency or visa requirements, as these students will be able to take these courses from their home countries.

Abiona said the program looks to differentiate itself from traditional computer science degrees by focusing on the science behind the software and technologies the students are using.

"Some programs will teach you how to use (Microsoft) Excel to do data analysis, but they do not tell you the concept behind the development of such programs," he said.

Abiona said he's happy about the degree program being established, as it sets the foundation for graduate level computer science programs to potentially be developed in the future.

In addition to the online program, the university will spend the next year developing classes to be able to offer the computer science program in-person.

IUN currently offers a bachelor's degree in computer information systems. According to Abiona, there will be a pathway for students in the CIS program and other degrees to transfer into the computer science program.

Students from Ivy Tech that earn their associate's in computer science will be able to transfer 60 credits into IUN's program.

The university will also begin offering a minor in cybersecurity starting fall of next year.

©2023 The Times (Munster, Ind.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.