Information and Computing Technology Degree and Certificate Industry Review Service for Washington State Community and Technical College Programs

The Center works with its IT/CS industry professionals (from multiple career pathways – web programming, programming, development, engineers, networking, systems, database, hardware/software technicians, and gaming, etc.) to review up to twelve Washington state CTC IT/CS program degrees and certificates  each year that are currently in place (one degree or certificate per college).  The Center  accepted seven degrees/certificates from six community and technical colleges for the fall 2011 review session at no charge to the participating college.  The Center is now accepting applications for up to five college IT/CS  degrees/certificates for the spring 2012 review session.  Since 2010, the Center has performed 20 ICT degree/certificate reviews at no charge for 16 Washington State community and technical colleges.

January 2012 Update: The Center of Excellence is now accepting up to five IT degrees/certificates from Washington State Community and Technical Colleges for the Spring 2012 quarter for a review session from industry professionals

The Center is now opening up the application process for IT degrees and certificates. Any Washington State CTC can submit one information or computing technology degree or certificate for a two-hour review session by IT industry professionals.  This services is offered at no charge to the participating college(s).

The reviews will take place May-June 2012, and reports will be issued to the colleges by June 2012.  The reports summarize the recommendations made by the industry review team, as well as provide a high-level workforce trend scan, employment trends if applicable, and possibilities for emerging trends that might impact curricular changes or developments.

The application submission deadline is Friday, April 6, 2012.

Find out more about the process, the history, and access to the application online form.

December 2011 Update: The Center has accepted and completed seven degrees/certificates reviews from six community and technical colleges for its 2012 ICT fall review sessions.  The following colleges submitted a degree or certificate for an industry review:

• Columbia Basin College
• Highline Community College
• Peninsula College
• Seattle Central Community College
• South Puget Sound Community College
• Yakima Valley College

The reviews took place on December 8th and 9th, and reports were issued to the colleges in December 2012.  The reports summarize the recommendations made by the industry review team, as well as provide a high-level workforce trend scan, employment trends if applicable, and possibilities for emerging trends that might impact curricular changes or developments. Review the evaluative and ROI data here for this round of reviews.

The next application submission deadline, as well as the next review session will take place during spring quarter 2012.

Please submit your college degree or certificate to Maureen Majury at maureen.majury@bellevuecollege.edu by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011.

ICT Review History:

January 04, 2011: Four reviews were completed December 2010 and the reports were delivered to the four participating colleges in January 2011

• Lower Columbia College
• North Seattle Community College
• Seattle Central Community College
• Skagit Valley College

June 14, 2011: Three reviews were completed May 2011 and the reports were delivered to the four participating colleges in June 2011

• Green River Community College
• Lake Washington Institute of Technology
• Olympic College

The review teams assess alignment of program’s course offerings and curriculum to determine if the degree or certificate is preparing students to successfully enter the workforce.  The review sessions are not open to participating college administrators and/or faculty  in order to optimize the free flow of feedback and information from the industry professionals.

• Upon completion of the industry analysis, the Center will issue a ten plus-page, high-level recommendation and plan for action report to each college.  The participating CTC will be asked to provide feedback about any future action or action plans based upon the review process and report.  The CoE for IT will upon request review action plans; provide feedback and advice to participating CTCs.  Industry professionals will review and provide analysis of progress.
• Follow-up interviews and/or evaluations with participating colleges will assess the projects level of impact for the respective colleges.  The CoE will provide mentoring upon request.
• The process and reports documenting the process will be disseminated, including specifics related to the return on investment on the Center’s website, e-newsletter, and at related conferences and events.

Last year the Center reviewed and issued reports to:

• Big Bend Community College
• Bellevue College
• Cascadia Community College
• Everett Community College
• Lower Columbia Community College
• Seattle Central Community College

The 27 industry participants include professionals from Microsoft, Affirma Consulting,  Akvelon, Boeing, Starbucks, Click-Network, and Hitachi Consulting.

Interested in having your program reviewed?  Complete our online application!