Clark State Community College has received official approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) for a second applied baccalaureate degree. The four-year degree in Web Design and Development is anticipated to be available to students beginning in 2020 pending final approval by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
“We are grateful to the ODHE for recognizing industry need in this area of study and employment,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “Our industry partners worked diligently to develop a viable and relevant curriculum in this area. It’s an opportunity to provide higher education for an industry important to our region’s economic and overall health.”
In May of 2018 Clark State received approval from the ODHE for its first applied baccalaureate degree in Manufacturing Technology Management.
“The proposed Web Design and Development program will prepare students for employment as web developers, web designers, front end developers, software developers and full stack web developers,” said Aimee Belanger-Haas, dean of business and applied technologies for Clark State. “In the State of Ohio, there are no other bachelor’s degree programs, or programs at any level, that prepare students to enter into all of those worlds as a full stack developer.”
Belanger-Haas said based on a scan done by Burning Glass Technologies, there are more than 1,000 open job positions in the regional market from Dayton to Columbus. “In addition, employers have long been asking us to develop a program that would address both the front end and back end needs (full stack), and web developer is listed as one of the In-Demand Careers by Ohio Means Jobs,” she said.
Belanger-Haas extended thanks to Clark State’s employee partners for helping identify the skills needed to be successful in this career field. “One employer compared finding someone with these skills as ‘The Unicorn,’” she said. “Clark State is very happy to help develop new unicorns to help employers with their needs related to the workforce.”
Blondin said an advisory of industry partners will continue to meet regularly to make recommendations on skills needed, talk about changes in the industry and suggest curriculum adjustments.
“Clark State is an affordable option with a total price tag of approximately $17,000, inclusive of tuition and fees,” said Blondin. “Finally, Clark State’s mission is to serve our communities by providing the highest quality education to all individuals—and to help them succeed. This degree provides both access to a four-year degree for students who may not otherwise pursue this level of education, as well as the wraparound services that will help them complete the degree.”