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The University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) will begin offering a master's degree in computer science in the Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB) in spring 2023, pending Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) approval. Â鶹ÊÓƵ received the green light from the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents on Feb. 8 for the new degree.

The degree will include concentrations in cyber operations and machine learning. Depending on the electives selected, students can also complete a graduate certificate in cybersecurity or technology leadership.

Dr. Mary Gowan, dean of the MCCB, said the certificate courses are useful in workforce preparation.

"This program will give students expertise in cybersecurity as well as machine learning," she said. "The degree is unique among master's degrees in computer science in that it also provides the opportunity for technology professionals in or interested in moving into management roles to gain knowledge and skills focused on technology leadership."

Full-time students can complete the master's degree in one year, while part-time students will be able to finish in two years. Classes will vary from fully online to some hybrid and some face-to-face. Depending on the courses selected, students will complete between 30 and 32 credit hours.

"We believe this design will help us attract strong students and provide them the flexibility they need to complete their degrees," Gowan said.

Students will have the option to complete a thesis while conducting research with a faculty adviser. This research focus will prepare students both for jobs in the industry and to enter a Ph.D. program.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 12% growth nationally in the employment of computer and information technology occupations from 2018 to 2028. This report placed Georgia among the top states in the nation that have a growing demand for jobs in the fields of computer science and information management.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ received feedback from alumni serving in management roles at employers such as IBM, the American Cancer Society, LexisNexis, Nordson, and MaxDefense as it crafted the new degree program. The alumni surveyed confirmed that such a degree is desirable and is considered to be a reliable indicator for employers to use to recruit qualified professionals, or for individuals to use to advance their careers with existing or prospective employers.