For Immediate Release 24 March 2000

New Technology Degrees

ABERDEEN-The Board of Regents, at its regular business meeting today at the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, authorized the development of proposals for five new associate degrees, a baccalaureate and a post-baccalaureate degree in the technology field.

The five new associate degrees for which development of proposals have been authorized are: Network Administration, Web Administration, Multimedia Graphic Design, Desktop Publishing and Computer Technology. Proposal development has also been authorized for a baccalaureate major and minor in Electronic Commerce and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Programming and Systems Development.

"These degrees definitely lead to the hot jobs of today and tomorrow," said Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry. "There is currently high demand for employees with the skills and knowledge in the computer and information systems field and that demand is expanding as technology is further advanced and integrated."

According to the 1998-99 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the computer support specialist field is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations between 1996 and 2006. The U.S. Department of Labor currently projects computer and data processing services will grow 108% by 2006.

Northern State University has been authorized to submit proposals for new associate degrees in multimedia graphic design, desktop publishing, computer technology and a collaborative degree in network administration between Dakota State University and Black Hills State University. Descriptions of the proposed degrees are:

• Associate Degree in Multimedia Graphic Design would provide 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 would provide skills in writing, editing and designing pages and larger projects for print or the web.

• Associate Degree in Computer Technology would provide extended knowledge and experience in the areas of software packages and electronic communications.
• Associate Degree in Network Administration would provide 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 are networks. NSU would collaborate with BHSU and DSU to avoid duplication of investment.

Black Hills State University has been authorized to submit proposals for new associate degrees in web administration and a collaborative degree in network administration between Dakota State University and Northern State University. Descriptions of the proposed degrees are:

• Associate Degree in Web Administration would prepare students to obtain positions as Webmasters or Web Administrators.

• Associate Degree in Network Administration would provide 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 are networks. BHSU would collaborate with NSU and DSU to avoid duplication of investment.

Dakota State University has been authorized to submit proposals for a new baccalaureate major and minor in Electronic Commerce and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Programming and Systems development.

• Baccalaureate Major or Minor in Electronic Commerce would help students understand business processes relative to electronic commerce and apply the technical knowledge and skills developed in programming, systems analysis and design.
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Programming and Systems Development would provide training in the area of computer support.

"We are in the middle stages of the planning process. No degrees have been approved yet. What we have done today is authorize BHSU and NSU to submit proposals for implementing these programs. Proposals for the new programs must not request new state resources to develop, implement, or maintain the proposed program. The program proposal must identify the sources and amounts of all reallocated and external funds needed to operate the program," said Regents President Harvey C. Jewett IV.

All program proposals will be considered by the Board of Regents in May.