BSC ranked 4th nationally in producing engineering-related graduates Posted on 7/9/2012
Bismarck State College was ranked fourth among two and four-year institutions granting degrees in engineering technologies and engineering related fields in the June 11 issue of Community College Week, an independent, national publication covering community, technical and junior colleges.
BSC was grouped within the four-year institutions as a result of the college's single four-year degree, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Management. Other engineering-focused programs also contributed to the ranking including engineering tech, pre-engineering and numerous nationally recognized energy programs.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education was analyzed and compiled by Community College Week to determine the top degree-producing community colleges across the nation. According to an article in the publication, BSC is part of a trend of community colleges offering baccalaureate degrees. The author notes that this trend is closely tied to workforce needs in the communities served.
BSC President Larry C. Skogen says that need within the energy industry is exactly why BSC developed the energy management BAS degree.
"We have educated the energy workforce for decades, and as a National Energy Center of Excellence, of course energy is a primary focus for us. What our industry partners asked of us was to help their technically skilled employees become leaders in their organizations. Thus, the BAS in energy management was born," he says.
Skogen notes the BAS degree allows BSC to build on what is already has, leveraging its energy expertise, faculty and proven curriculum to help the industry "grow its own leaders."
According to Community College Week, BSC's engineering related degrees granted increased five percent from the 2009-10 academic year to 2010-11.
For more information about BSC's BAS degree, click here.
For more information about the rankings, see the June 11 archived issue of Community College Week at ccweek.com.
