North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has added two new bachelor’s degrees to its portfolio for the 2020-2021 academic year: information technology and sports medicine.
NCCU is the only University of North Carolina System school to offer the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with concentrations in cybersecurity and data analytics. Housed in NCCU’s School of Business, the program will provide face-to-face instruction.
The cybersecurity concentration will provide students with skills including cryptography, cyber defense and countermeasures, risk management and regulatory compliance. Recent reports by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that job openings in cybersecurity are projected to grow 28% from 2016 to 2026.
The data-analytics concentration will offer opportunities in scientific data analysis and visualization, predictive analysis, prescriptive modeling and optimization, simulation, data-mining and classification. Recent studies disclose a recent 29% increase in demand for data scientists each year, following a total increase of 344% between 2013 and 2018.
“North Carolina Central University consistently develops and offers innovative programs for students to meet the growing demand of practitioners with advanced skills,” said Yolanda Anderson, Ph.D., interim provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “The new academic offerings will provide students with tools needed in the constantly changing career world.”
The Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine, housed in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, is also unique within the UNC System. It will provide practical, hands-on training to identify sports injuries and methods to treat common injuries and illnesses. Students will also learn best practices for nutrition, health, wellness longevity and exercise through performing theoretical concepts learned in the classroom setting.
Sports medicine specialists focus on athlete injuries, illness management and performance strengthening. The degree also may be a stepping stone to related professions, such as medical doctors, physical therapists and athletic trainers.
The BLS predicts 7% job growth between 2018 and 2028 for all physicians and surgeons, which includes sports medicine doctors, 19% for athletic trainers, and 22% for physical therapists.
For more information about NCCU’s academic programs, visit www.nccu.edu/academicaffairs.
