College of Technology to offer engineering technology degree across Indiana
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's College of Technology will begin offering a bachelor's degree in engineering technology at Anderson, Kokomo, Richmond and South Bend next fall.
The program is designed to give students an opportunity to earn a Purdue degree while staying close to home and to provide trained workers for specific community needs. The focus of the bachelor of science in engineering technology degree program at each location will be determined by the work force and economic needs of the region.
Purdue's College of Technology offers degree programs at 10 locations throughout Indiana. Because 82 percent of those graduates stay in the community where they study, the new degree program is expected to provide local businesses and industries with employees trained for their needs.
The bachelor's degree program builds upon six core College of Technology technical disciplines: computer graphics, computer and information technology, electrical and computer engineering technology, industrial technology, mechanical engineering technology, and organizational leadership and supervision.
"Indiana's future rests, in part, with a work force that is skilled in the latest technological advances," Purdue President France A. Córdova said. "This program offers traditional and non-traditional students a new path to a degree close to home. It will provide the state with the talent needed to maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace while responding to local economic and employment needs."
Students can transfer up to 62 hours of approved coursework from Ivy Tech Community College toward the BSET degree.
"This is an opportunity for both institutions to partner in contributing to the economic prosperity of Indiana's citizens, businesses and industries," Ivy Tech President Thomas J. Snyder said.
The curriculum has been developed over two years with input from community and business leaders, county and city officials, state work force development personnel, and faculty.
The design of the BSET program will allow Purdue to be more nimble and responsive to the needs of the communities and regions that the College of Technology serves, said Duane Dunlap, associate dean.
The four locations launching the program were chosen for their proximity to Ivy Tech campuses, their specific economic needs and the potential population reach.
"With Anderson, Kokomo, Richmond and South Bend, we will be able to reach almost 30 percent of Indiana's population in some of the most economically challenged areas of the state," Dunlap said.
However, the program is expected to be added eventually in other locations, including
Eighteen credit hours will be allowed to create concentrations of study, such as alternative and hybrid technology, nanotechnology, and power and energy distribution. An additional three hours could be used, depending on a senior project proposal and design project.
Dunlap said the concentrations for the BSET program are unlimited and can be developed to meet a community's immediate needs.
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education approved the program in December.
Students can apply for admission to the program at one of the four locations offering the degree or at the Purdue undergraduate admissions Web site at https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/apply_now.html
For more information, contact the main office on the West Lafayette campus at 765-496-9468 or one of the Statewide Technology campuses. Those numbers are Kokomo, 765-455-9364; South Bend, 574-520-5560; Anderson, 765-648-2902; and Richmond, 765-973-8228.
A Web site with more information about the BSET program is at https://www.tech.purdue.edu/statewide/BSET
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Sources: Duane Dunlap, 765-496-9468 (office) 765-418-4340 (cell), ddunlap@purdue.edu
France A. Córdova, president@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: For information about specific sites, contact Christy Bozic for Kokomo, 765-455-9364, cbozic@purdue.edu; Mike Sanders for South Bend, 574-520-5560, mdsanders@purdue.edu; and Barb Alder for Anderson, 765-648-2902, and Richmond, 765-973-8228, balder@purdue.edu