WSU Board of Trustees Approves New Degrees to Help Drive Northern Utah Economy
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State Board of Trustees has approved several new degrees that will help students fill positions in engineering and technology fields that are in high demand in Northern Utah and around the nation.
Trustees have approved two new master’s degrees in computer science and electrical engineering; three bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering, manufacturing systems engineering and Spanish translation. These are the first degrees approved by WSU Trustees, since the Utah Legislature changed the degree-approval process in 2017 with SB 238.
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“We are delighted that WSU soon will offer additional graduate degrees in engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering Applied Science & Technology (EAST),” said Provost Madonne Miner. “Our current engineering degrees have been very popular, additional degrees provide graduates a wider range of employment options, as well as enhanced salaries. In addition, our regional employers have indicated a strong and ongoing demand for engineers and computer scientists. We are poised to respond more fully to their needs.”
Weber State has offered a four-year engineering degree since 2010. In that time, the number of students majoring in electrical engineering has grown to 186 with 108 graduates, of those 102 are working in Utah with 49 at Hill Air Force Base.
Along with “Silicon Slopes,” in the Utah County region, Northern Utah hosts numerous aerospace, manufacturing and light-industrial companies that employ engineers of all kinds. Weber State is strategically located to meet the needs of the local industry.
“Engineering is one of the largest and most in-demand degrees in the United States,” said Kirk Hagen, WSU engineering chair. “The Northern Utah region is industrially rich with medical, aerospace and recreational related companies. As Weber State begins offering additional engineering degrees, these local industries can be more fully served by qualified college graduates produced in their own backyard.”
Faculty in the departments of computer science, engineering and engineering technology developed the programs in collaboration with their advisory committees comprised of representatives from government and industry. The programs will begin offering courses in fall semester 2018.
“We are going to repeat the success we had with our electrical engineering program,” said David Ferro, dean of the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology. “We will have the full complement of theory, science and math needed for an engineer combined with extensive labs and hands-on experience. Our students will be able to hit the ground running in industry and at Hill Air Force Base. No surprise. That's our reputation. Our interns and grads are ready out of the gate.”
These new master’s degrees bring a total of 15 graduate degrees to Weber State University for a total of more than 225 degree programs and certificates.
Visit weber.edu/east for more news about the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Allison Barlow Hess, public relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu- Contact:
Kirk Hagen, engineering chair
801-626-6998 • khagen@weber.edu