October 3, 2007

Bachelor's degree program approved for Purdue College of Technology at Columbus

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education on Sept. 14 approved the bachelor's degree program retroactively for fall 2007.

Previously, the Columbus location offered only an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, and students who wished to earn a bachelor's degree had to commute to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis or transfer to West Lafayette.

"As more advanced-manufacturing companies locate in southeastern Indiana, the need for a well-educated work force increases," said Duane D. Dunlap, associate dean for the Purdue College of Technology's statewide program. "We've heard from several companies in the Columbus area, and as they create more jobs, they are eager to employ those with four-year degrees in high-tech areas and further educate their existing employees that have already have B.S. degrees with graduate degrees too. The College of Technology continues to play a significant role as part of Indiana's economic engine by providing very qualified workers to business and industry."

Andy Schaffer, director of the Purdue College of Technology at Columbus, said offering the bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology in Columbus has been something students and local companies have been requesting for years.

"Due to the changing nature of the manufacturing industry, a bachelor's degree is now considered a common requirement for entry-level positions," he said. "As a result, more students have expressed interest in a four-year degree, and enrollment in the junior-level courses we've offered has been strong. We are pleased now to be offering this bachelor's degree program at a location close to home that will prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers of the future."

The 129-credit-hour program will prepare students for existing and emerging careers in the application of mechanical engineering technology in the fields of advanced manufacturing and with engineering and service companies that support those employers. According to projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as state and regional projections, demand is expected to grow in the next decade for those with a bachelor's degree or higher in these fields.

The curriculum for the Columbus program is identical to the West Lafayette program. Columbus Purdue College of Technology students may complete their general education courses at either Indiana University Purdue University-Columbus or at Ivy Tech State College.

 The College of Technology at Columbus also offers bachelor's and associate degrees in computer and information technology, industrial technology, and organizational leadership and supervision.

The Purdue College of Technology, established in 1964, is one of the nation's largest and was one of the first of its kind in the country. It educates more than 5,700 undergraduates at locations around the state. In addition to the main campus at West Lafayette, the college has 10 statewide locations in Columbus, Greensburg, New Albany, Lafayette, South Bend, Kokomo, Anderson, Muncie, Richmond and Indianapolis.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources: Duane D. Dunlap, associate dean for statewide technology, (765) 496-9468, ddunlap@purdue.edu

Andy Schaffer, (812) 314-8619, aschaffe@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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