New Technology Degrees

News Release
Contacts: Robert T. Tad Perry, Executive Director
tadp@ris.sdbor.edu
Tracy Mercer, Information Research Analyst
tracym@ris.sdbor.edu

T: 605.773.3455
F: 605.773.5320
www.ris.sdbor.edu

For Immediate Release 4 May 2000

Board of Regents Approve New Technology Degrees

VERMILLION-South Dakotans will have new opportunities to train for careers in the technology field following action by the South Dakota Board of Regents today. Meeting on the University of South Dakota campus, the Regents approved four new associate degrees, a certificate and a new bachelors degree and minor in the technology field.

"When we gave the universities approval to submit proposals on the new degrees in March, it was under the stipulation that the new programs did not request new state resources to develop, implement, or maintain. The universities were told that they had to fund the new programs through redirection and realignment. We are satisfied that they met that directive and believe these new programs will be truly beneficial to South Dakota." said Regents President Harvey C. Jewett, IV.

The four new associate degrees that have been authorized are: Network Administration, Web Administration, Multimedia Graphic Design and Desktop Publishing. The Regents also authorized a certificate in Programming and Systems Development and a new major and minor in Web Development/Design.

"The universities should be commended for their work on developing the proposals for the new degrees. We knew we had to move quickly. The demand for workers in these technical areas is great and since they are all relatively new areas, training programs for them are still rather scarce. I believe our universities will be leading the way in instruction for these technology driven programs. The approval of these programs is the initial phase of meeting the technology needs of the state," said Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry.

Northern State University will be offering the new associate degrees in multimedia graphic design and desktop publishing and a collaborative degree in network administration between Dakota State University and Black Hills State University. Descriptions of the degrees are:

Associate Degree in Multimedia Graphic Design provides training and education for students interested in pursuing a career track in graphic design for the Internet and digital media.

Associate Degree in Desktop Publishing provides skills in writing, editing and designing pages and larger projects for print or the web.

Associate Degree in Network Administration provides training in information technology (IT) designed to prepare students who are not interested in pursing a bachelors degree in IT for careers in the IT area, specifically, positions relating to the design and management of local, municipal, and wide area networks. NSU will collaborate with BHSU and DSU to avoid duplication of investment.

Black Hills State University will be offering the new associate degrees in web administration and a collaborative degree in network administration between Dakota State University and Northern State University. Descriptions of the degrees are:

Associate Degree in Web Administration prepares students to obtain positions as Webmasters or Web Administrators.

Associate Degree in Network Administration provides training in information technology (IT) designed to prepare students who are not interested in pursing a bachelors degree in IT for careers in the IT area, specifically, positions relating to the design and management of local, municipal, and wide area networks. BHSU will collaborate with NSU and DSU to avoid duplication of investment.

Dakota State University will be offering a bachelors of science degree in multimedia/web development and a multimedia/web design minor.

Bachelors Degree in Multimedia/Web Development and minor in Multimedia/Web Design prepares graduates to assume a variety of positions such as Web Designer, Web Developer, Website Manager, or Webmaster for businesses, educational institutions and government. In addition, graduates will be prepared for a wide range of positions requiring a background in computer multimedia.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Dakota State University will be collaborating to offer the new certificate in Programming and Systems development.

Certificate in Programming and Systems Development provides training in the area of computer support.

Enrollment for the new programs will begin in the Fall.

For more information, contact Dr. Robert T. Tad Perry, Executive Director, or Lesta Turchen, Senior Administrator, (605) 773-3455.

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