FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
FACULTY SENATE
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
PROPOSAL PRESENTATION COVER SHEET
(Proposal from College of Basic and Applied Sciences)
I.
Proposal: Intent to Plan Online Degree Completion Program for the Bachelor of
Science Degree in Computer Science in the Department of Mathematics and Computer
Science
II.
Purpose: The purpose of this proposal is to create an online degree completion
program to enhance the options available to students who would like to pursue the
Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Fayetteville State University
(FSU) but who face obstacles to completing the degree due to distance and/or other
scheduling conflicts. The proposed program will make it possible for students to
complete their Computer Science degree by taking junior and senior level courses offered
online by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The increased access
to educational opportunities from the proposed program fulfills the mission of the
University of North Carolina System, and provides significant opportunity for growth in
enrollment at Fayetteville State University.
III.
Rationale: Fayetteville State University is a focused-growth institution
seeking to better serve the diverse higher education needs of those in the southeastern
region of North Carolina. Because of our proximity to Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force
Base, FSU is also uniquely positioned to serve the needs of many military personnel and
their families. For these individuals, frequent travels, off-base assignments, and
reassignments often interrupt their efforts to complete an entire degree program oncampus. Furthermore, there are Computer Science practitioners working in the
Fayetteville/Cumberland County geographical area who face scheduling challenges as
they seek to pursue a Computer Science degree while continuing to work in the
computing field. The proposed online degree completion program will offer much needed
flexibility to these individuals as well as to many others whose work schedules and other
circumstances would otherwise prevent them from completing their college degree.
Finally, this program will also serve students at local community colleges, especially
Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) who would like to complete a
Computer Science degree. Providing the service will help maintain the integrity of the
Computer Science program , reduce the difficulties students face in finding the
comparable courses in their institutions, and retain tuition revenue in FSU.
IV. To be Presented to: (in succession to each of the following)
Computer Science Unit
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
College of Basic and Applied Sciences Academic Affairs
Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee
Faculty Senate
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Chancellor
V. Submitted by: Computer Science Unit
V. Dwight House, Chair
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Vinod Arya, Chair
REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PLAN A NEW DISTANCE
EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAM
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Date: October 18, 2007
Constituent Institution: Fayetteville State University
CIP Discipline Specialty Title: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
CIP Discipline Specialty Number:
Level: B X
M __
Exact Title of the Proposed Program: On-Line Degree Completion Program in
Computer Science in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Degree Abbreviation:
CSC
Proposed Date of Initiation: Fall 2008
Will this program be completely individual access (e.g., Internet, videocassette)?
Yes X
No __
If "yes," primary mode of delivery: Internet
If "no," list proposed sites (use additional lines as needed):
(city)
(county)
(state)
If cohort-based, length of time to complete the program (e.g., 18 mos., 2 years):
SACS/COC substantive change questions (1=Procedure One; 2=Procedure Two)
Site-based (where the instructor is present):
Is the institution initiating instruction where the student may earn more than 25% and
less than 50% of credits toward a degree at a site 30 miles or more from the campus? (2)
Yes
No X
Is the institution initiating an (additional) off-campus site at which students may earn at
least 50% of an educational program? (1)
Yes
No X
Is the institution adding significantly different degree programs at a currently approved
site? (2)
Yes
No X
Distance learning (where instructor and student are geographically separated): YES
Is the institution offering its first credit courses via technology-based instruction by
which students can obtain at least 25% of credits toward a degree program? (2)
Yes X No __
Is the institution expanding a previously reported program from less than 50% of credits
to 50% or more of a degree program? (2)
Yes __
No X
Is the institution adding a significantly different program from previously reported
programs offered via technology-based instruction? (2)
Yes
No X
If this action constitutes a substantive change, by what date should SACS be notified?
1.
Please describe the proposed program and intended audience.
The purpose of this proposal is to create an online degree completion program to enhance
the options available to students who would like to pursue the Bachelor of Science
Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Fayetteville State University (FSU)
but who face obstacles to completing the degree due to distance and/or other scheduling
conflicts. The proposed program will make it possible for a student to complete their
Computer Science degree by taking junior and senior level computer science courses
offered online by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The increased
access to educational opportunities from the proposed program fulfills the mission of the
University of North Carolina System, and provides significant opportunity for growth in
enrollment at Fayetteville State University. Because of our proximity to Fort Bragg and
Pope Air Force Base, FSU is also uniquely positioned to serve the needs of many military
personnel and their families. For these individuals, frequent travels, off-base
assignments, and reassignments often interrupt their efforts to complete an entire degree
program on-campus. Furthermore, there are Computer Science practitioners working in
the Fayetteville/Cumberland County geographical area who face scheduling challenges as
they seek to pursue a Computer Science degree while continuing to work in the
computing field. The proposed online degree completion program will offer much needed
flexibility to these individuals as well as to many others whose work schedules and other
circumstances would otherwise prevent them from completing their college degree.
2.
Describe the proposed instructional delivery systems (e.g., on-site instruction,
interactive video, Internet, etc., including combinations of these).
The instructional delivery system for these courses will be the internet. In particular, we
plan to use the course management software known as Blackboard. Some professors may
use Camtasia as well. These courses will not compete with on-campus sections of the
same course.
3.
Describe need for the program (referencing results of surveys or special
studies). If site-based, is any other institution (public or private) offering a similar
program in the location(s)? If individual access, is any other UNC institution
offering a similar individual access program?
Of the seventeen universities that comprise our immediate competition, none currently
offer a degree completion in Computer Science online. Several do offer a few lower level
courses online. This was verified by either making phone calls to the various university
computer science departments or visiting the department websites.
4.
Projected total annual enrollment: Years 1: 20, 2: 30, 3: 35, 4: 40, 5: 40
Name, title, telephone, and e-mail of contact person to respond to questions:
V. Dwight House
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Telephone: (910) 672-1664
Email: dhouse@uncfsu.edu
This intent to plan a Distance Education Degree Program for the Department of
Mathematics and Computer Science (or program site) has been reviewed and approved
by the appropriate campus committees and authorities.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: