Neumont University Expands Offerings to Non-traditional Students with new Online Associate Degree in Software Development

SALT LAKE CITY, June 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Neumont University is pleased to announce the online launch of its newest degree: the Associate of Science in Software Development. Neumont University president Shaun McAlmont explained, "We are proud of Neumont's proven track record in providing quality project-based computer science education. We know that the workforce is facing a shortage of qualified candidates to meet the demands in computing jobs, and our new online degree opens the opportunity to many who not have been, or are not currently, in a position to have a more traditional college experience." 

McAlmont said the STEM-shortage crisis, particularly in computing positions, is something that the institution is constantly hearing about from industry partners. These partners play a key role in helping shape Neumont's curriculum to ensure graduates' have relevant skills their first day on the job.

"But it's not just the industry that is concerned," McAlmont said. "We hear from high school administrators and teachers, from community partners and beyond." McAlmont referenced a March 2017 Quartz article "You probably should have majored in computer science" that notes "there are almost 10 times more US computing jobs open right now than there were students who graduated with computer science degrees in 2015." The article cites code.org which documents that there are about 530,000 computing jobs currently open.

"We're looking to be part of the solution," McAlmont said. "Not everyone can take three years off and go to school year-round to be part of our a bachelor's degree program," McAlmont says. Ninety-seven percent of Neumont bachelors grads are employed within six-months of graduation. And starting salaries for bachelors degree graduates average $63,000.  "Our new associate program offers flexibility for someone looking to start a career in computer science or transition to a new one."

Dr. Aaron Reed, Neumont University's Chief Academic Officer said, "This degree gets students prepared for a career in tech, with jobs like QA engineer and junior software developer." The degree focuses on teaching best practices and processes for software development and quality assurance using modern languages and integrated development environments. He said, "We've really made the degree tailored to a professional skill-set that gets graduates ready for the workforce."

For more information, about the online degree visit www.neumont.edu/online.

SOURCE Neumont University

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