Skagit Valley College prepares to launch the college’s fourth bachelor’s degree program this fall to help fill growing workforce gaps in the industry. The new Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is designed to address the expanding demand for people qualified for high earning careers in computer science and software development.

SVC received approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the college’s regional accrediting body, to offer a computer science baccalaureate program this fall. The NWCCU approval follows the 2022 approval received from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to offer this degree.

Designed by a consortium of seven community and technical colleges, including SVC, the 180-credit program is grounded in real world projects and application. Its degree requirements focus on the skillset most critical for career success in this field. As a result, the program removes barriers that have historically limited opportunities for study in this field.

“We are pleased to add the Computer Science degree to the bachelor’s degree platform at Skagit Valley College,” said SVC President Dr. Christopher Villa. “Our bachelor’s degree programs are a strategic priority for the college, in line with our commitment to supporting regional and state economic growth strategies by preparing students for careers in high demand, high earning fields.”

The new degree will be led by instructor Catherine Wyman, an expert in creating inclusive environments for computer science and software development education. She has dedicated her career to improving diversity in technology and the accessibility of technology careers.

Wyman’s experience includes working on National Science Foundation funded projects to teaching community college teachers how to broaden participation in computer science and on Project Let’s Talk Code, an initiative to expand computer science education on the Navajo reservation.

“The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree at SVC will open doors to the high earning computer science field for our students,“ said Wyman. “In addition to the academic curriculum, students will have the opportunity to work with industry partner mentors and will benefit from a robust support network, including tutoring and peer coaching.”

To learn more about the new program, visit skagit.edu/bachelor-science-computer-science or contact [email protected]. Informacion en Español: [email protected] or 360.417.7740.

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About Community College Bachelor degrees in Washington: To meet the need for more people with bachelor’s degree in Washington, community and technical colleges in the state, including SVC, work with their local communities to offer educational programs that will meet the demand for an educated workforce. SVC now offers two types of bachelor’s level programs: bachelor of applied science, which are selective entry programs that build on the education and training from two-year technical associate degrees with two years of upper-level course work; and a bachelor of science in Computer Science, which is a direct entry, open admissions program.