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Two new bachelor’s degrees approved at Landmark College

by Solvegi Shmulsky
Female Landmark College student works on microchip Starting in fall 2015, Landmark College will offer two new bachelor degree programs—a bachelor of science in computer science and a bachelor of arts in studio art. Approved by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), these programs are fully accredited and designed for students who learn differently. In the December 16, 2014, approval statement, NEASC wrote, “Landmark College has developed an exemplary proposal documenting two new baccalaureate degree options … in line with the College’s goal to become a destination where students who learn differently can complete their undergraduate education."

Computer science and studio art are hands-on fields where students learn by doing, said Dr. Peter Eden, president of Landmark College. “Our students have talents and strengths related to arts and to sciences,” said Eden. “Now, with a B.A. in studio art and a B.S. in computer science, they can stay at Landmark College to express these talents and strengths fully.”

A Landmark College student looks at a canvas with an art professorBoth the B.S. and B.A. will prepare graduates for work in the field or to attend graduate school. Students in studio art will explore and hone their conceptual and technical skills as they learn about the role of the arts in history and culture. Computer science students will take courses in programming, software design, mathematics, and computer architecture as applied to emerging computer technologies.

The College offered its first bachelor’s program in 2012, and the success of this program led to the current expansion.  “We have had very strong enrollment in our B.A. in liberal studies program, which demonstrates that there is a real need for Landmark to offer bachelor-level programs,” explained Dr. Monika Bissell, vice president for Academic Affairs at Landmark College. “In offering these new degrees, we are responding to that need while providing majors that are of particular interest to many of our students.”

MacFarlane Center under construction, June 2015The B.S. in computer science will be housed in the Nicole Goodner MacFarlane Science, Technology, & Innovation Center, a $10 million, 28,500-square-foot building due to open in late summer 2015. Dr. Michelle Bower, chair of the computer science department, explained how Landmark’s B.S. degree will be different from other programs. She said, “Our dedication to creating learning environments where students can explore their strengths and find strategies for their weaker areas is superb. Students will get excellent computer science instruction from faculty who understand that not all students learn the same way.”

Male Landmark College student works on a robot in a Computer Science labHumberto Ramirez, chair of the art department, said the B.A. in studio art will fill a niche for aspiring artists at the College. “Landmark College alumni already have a proven record of great professional success in the arts,” he said. “The art department is extremely excited about the new B.A. in studio art. For years, students and their families have clamored for this degree and now we are delighted to be able to offer it.”

"The work that Dr. Bower and Professor Ramirez have put into getting approval for these proposals has been incredible,” said Bissell. “They were instrumental in conceptualizing the programs and providing detail that was critical to move forward.”

The primary focus of the new programs is to meet the educational needs of students. In addition, Eden explained, a greater good can be achieved. He said, “We expect all of society to benefit from graduates of these programs, who will show what individuals who learn differently can achieve. They promise to make the world more interesting, more beautiful and more powerful—in so many ways.”

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