August 22, 2005
Purdue adds new bachelor's degree program in Kokomo
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's College of Technology has expanded its offerings at its Kokomo location to include a new bachelor's degree program.
The Indiana Commission on Higher Education has approved Purdue's proposal to offer a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology, the third bachelor's degree Purdue will offer in Kokomo.
"This is a step in the College of Technology's ongoing efforts to offer a wider range of bachelor's degrees at our locations throughout the state," said Michael T. O'Hair, associate dean for engagement and statewide technology. "The majority of students at our locations other than West Lafayette are working adults planning on staying in their communities after earning their degrees. The goal of the college is to provide these students with the type of education that local businesses are demanding."
The four-year degree through the Department of Computer and Information Technology will focus on providing students with a curriculum designed for a deep understanding of the development and management of computer networks and data. It also includes several courses on other technology, as well as business topics.
"Local businesses have expressed a need for a more educated workforce, and this is one step in helping our students to meet that need," said Thomas Capozzoli, director of the College of Technology in Kokomo. "The local campuses of Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College have both expressed support for the new degree program."
The bachelor's degree will be built from the base of the current associate's degree program. As with all of the degrees offered at Kokomo, Capozzoli said, degree requirements and academic rigor are on par with programs at the main West Lafayette campus.
Students in the program will complete their general education requirements – such as English and economics classes – at Indiana University's Kokomo location. Currently, the computer information program has 57 students, and O'Hair said expanding the program offerings is expected to bring in additional students who are looking for bachelor's degrees.
College of Technology students at the Kokomo location come not only from Howard County, but also from Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fulton, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Madison, Miami, Tipton and Wabash counties.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the founding of Purdue's College of Technology, the first of its kind in the country. The college is made up of eight departments: aviation technology, building construction technology, mechanical engineering technology, electrical and computer engineering technology, industrial technology, computer information technology, computer graphics technology, and organizational leadership and supervision.
The college educates approximately 6,000 undergraduate students at eight locations throughout Indiana. In addition to the Columbus/SE Indiana location, the other locations are West Lafayette, Anderson/Muncie, Indianapolis, Kokomo/Lafayette, New Albany, Richmond and South Bend/Elkhart.
Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu
Sources: Michael T. O'Hair, (765) 494-2554, mtohair@purdue.edu
Thomas Capozzoli, (765) 445-9218, capozzol@purdue.edu
Lonnie Bentley, head of Department of Computer and Information Technology, (765) 494-4545, bentley@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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