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News Release
Contacts: Jack R. Warner, Executive Director and CEO
Tracy Mercer, Information Research Analyst
Telephone: (605) 773-3455
Fax: (605) 773-5320
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 13, 2011
SDSU Gets Master’s Degree in Computer Science;
USD Takes Accountancy Degree Online
VERMILLION, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Regents this week approved a request from South Dakota State University to offer a master of computer science degree. In other action, the board also approved The University of South Dakota’s plans to deliver its master of public accountancy degree online.
At SDSU, the new master’s degree in computer science will prepare students for a professional career in software development or computer science research. Since the program replaces a former computer science emphasis within the M.S. in engineering program at SDSU, no additional start-up costs were incurred. University officials said the M.S. in computer science is a more marketable graduate degree for prospective students and their employers.
The master’s degree in public accountancy at USD has been approved for online delivery, with the first online students to enroll next spring. University officials anticipate a strong demand for the online MPA program. It is designed to provide specialized, in-depth knowledge in all areas of accounting, including auditing, cost, financial, government, and tax. According to federal labor estimates, employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all other occupations.
In further action, a new graduate-level certificate in mental health counseling was authorized at USD. All four courses for this 12-hour certificate program will be offered online. Practicing licensed professional counselors and recent graduates of a 48-hour counseling program will be the primary audience for this new certificate.