COLLEGE AND COMPUTER SCIENCES DEMOGRAPHICS
According
to the Office of Institutional Research, the Computer Science Department had
33 first-time, full-time students enrolled in the fall of 1997. This group
of students was followed for three years (through the end of the Spring, 2000
semester). Among this group of students, 33.3% of them had either graduated
or transferred to other higher education institutions.
Given the current level of competition in the IT industry for qualified computer
professionals, it's not uncommon for students to withdraw from their degree
before they have graduated because of employment opportunities based on skill
attainment with employers who do not require degrees. As the student comes
nearer to degree completion, they are often offered positions in the employer's
efforts to secure qualified candidates before they graduate and formally place
themselves in the highly competitive job market. It is expected that that
this program will further increase retention by removing some of the financial
pressure which is inherent with low-income students. When financial burdens
are lightened, students will be more likely to have the luxury of staying
in school until graduation. In addition, solid career counseling will help
clarify for them the reality that those employers who want them before they
graduate will only want them more (and at a higher salary) once they are degreed
and more marketable in the wider professional arena.
While these figures illustrate the current retention rates in the Computer
Science Department, they do not give a valid picture of enrollment demographics.
The number of full-time students in the program has increased steadily over
the past several years as the program has grown. In the fall of 1999, there
were 58 full-time students enrolled in the program. A total of 101 students
were enrolled including part-time students for that time period. Approximately
2/3 of enrolled students have declared more than one major. It should be noted
that talented part-time students will be likely to enroll full-time with the
financial benefits from this program.
With a graduation/retention rate in the Computer Science Department that is
well above the rate for the total Allegany College student body and a rapidly
growing number of enrollments in the program, it is expected that this project
will serve to further strengthen enrollments and increase retention for the
program. It will also give students who are enrolled in one-year certificate
programs, because of the 12 month limit on re-training funds which is now
the norm, the opportunity to finish a degree program by affording them the
financial means to secure a two year associates degree.
