EMU Today

YPSILANTI –  Students who seek to combine a solid background in computer science with a liberal arts education will benefit from the new Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science program to be offered at Eastern Michigan University.

The new program seeks to draw new students interested in computer science but who also hold a variety of other applied career aspirations that are in high demand, such as bringing digital expertise to business, finance, communications, psychology, biology, graphic design, gaming, information security and website development.

Eastern Michigan’s Board of Regents approved the new program at its regular meeting Friday, Dec. 14. Eastern would be one of the only universities in southeastern Michigan offering a Bachler of Arts in Computer Science.

The new program will require fewer computer science credits than the existing Bachelor of Science program at Eastern, is less mathematically rigorous, and will provide greater flexibility in students' curriculum while still offering a depth of knowledge that supports a variety of technology-based careers.

“We are excited to introduce this new program, a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science,” said Rhonda Longworth, provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs. “Students will become adept at solving a variety of novel problems through careful analysis and the design and development of software systems, while maintaining classes in other disciplines.“

This new program will offer a mix of practice and theory that will also prepare students for career opportunities in computer science fields such as systems programming and analysis, software development and maintenance and applications programming.

The program will begin in the next academic year.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 19,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.