We are pleased to announce the approval of our newest IT degree programs, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Information Technology and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Information Technology Management, by the New York State Education Department. These degrees represent a new strategic direction for MCNY in our efforts to attract new students and serve evolving workforce needs.
Employment in the computer and information technology occupations is projected to increase dramatically nationally and particularly in the New York City area, with robust annual growth for the next few decades. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that this sector will grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. With these new degrees, MCNY stands ready to provide students with the skills and education they will need to build a lucrative career in these high demand fields.
We will welcome our first IT degree programs’ cohort of students with a soft launch in Summer 2017, followed by a full launch in Fall 2017.
We are appreciative of all those who have been involved in this effort over the last two years, including the Business School faculty, Advisory Board members, and members of the Board Trustees for their valuable insights in shaping these programs. Additionally, we would like to thank Dr. Mohammad Bajwa, Associate Dean, for his diligent work in the development of these programs.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, has identified computer-related careers among those whose employment growth is expected to exceed that of the labor force as a whole. Among those careers are: Computer Network Architects, Computer Programmers, Computer Support Specialists, Computer Systems Analysts, Database Administrators, Information Security Analysts, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, and many others. While we recognize that many of these careers might require additional education or work experience, it is our belief that the proposed curricula will prepare our graduates for entrance into many, if not all, of the above professional occupations.
The education core of Metropolitan College of New York’s curricula is the unique Purpose-Centered Education model. Essentially, it represents a belief that students become higher achievers when they understand the purposes which move them to their lifetime goals. To that end, the curriculum is organized in a series of unique Purposes, each focusing on an aspect of what students need to learn and apply. It is this direct application to the workplace or the internship that serves to reinforce the link between the place of learning and the place of work. The Purposes are also linked to program goals and student competencies