The demand for technology-related jobs is continuing to rapidly grow, as is the need for more flexible degree options, with no slowdown in sight.
Sheri Gibson, Tonya Lowentritt
The demand for technology-related jobs is continuing to rapidly grow, as is the need for more flexible degree options, with no slowdown in sight. In response, Southeastern has launched a new master of science degree in computer networking and administration to proactively address this while also providing the best possible career opportunities for students.
Most things in our current society are already reliant on computerization, and as we move into the future, the reliance on and demand for ever-advancing technology will only continue to increase—and with it, people who can fill the roles to maintain and advance this relatively new societal need. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “about 377,500 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.”
As a result, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, the median pay in May 2022 for computer and information technology occupations was $100,530, about 217 percent higher than the median of $46,310 for all jobs in the country.
Among many other things, modern adoption of technology is also changing how people choose to participate in education, creating both new opportunities and demand for online programs. While there will always be a place and an audience for in-person education, EAB, a leading consulting firm specializing in education, reported that “from 2019 to 2020, enrollment in online graduate programs grew by 63 percent,” and “the increase in online graduate enrollment is also part of a larger shift that began well before the pandemic.”
With technology now ever at our fingertips and the bustle of daily life never slowing down, people around the world are increasingly ready for programs that will meet them where they are and that can easily fit into their busy schedules.
To address these issues and provide students with an added path to success, Southeastern developed a master of science degree in computer networking and administration through the Department of Computer Science. Just begun this Spring 2024 semester and delivered exclusively online, the program is designed to address the widening skills shortage in enterprise scale networking, including cybersecurity and system administration, and follows best practices needed for the workforce.
Computer Science Interim Department Head and Instructor Bonnie Achee said the degree prepares students for positions such as computer network administrator, network specialist, network design engineer, system software developer, and system administrator.
“We are proud to offer a 100 percent online master of science in computer and networking administration,” said Achee. “This cutting-edge program will serve both recent graduates and industry professionals who seek to advance or transition to a career in systems administration, high-performance computing, and systems security, to name a few.”
Coursework is offered every fall, spring, and summer, ensuring students can graduate in a timely manner, Achee explained. Hands-on labs are also provided through online services, giving students 24/7 access to state-of-the-art computer networking and administration labs.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will both understand and have the capacity to deploy many of the most advanced methods and systems in their field, gaining a strong advantage in an already in-demand area and setting them on course for unstoppable careers and abundant lives.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit southeastern.edu/mscna.
