Many cooks improve the broth: developing an inter-institutional, online, bachelor of science degree in information technology

Five state colleges and universities in the University of Georgia System are collaborating to develop an online B.S. IT degree, slated to open for enrollment in Fall 2004. The participating institutions range in size and mission from large regional universities to regional colleges. The process of jointly designing a degree to be offered either wholly or substantially online for a non-traditional audience has produced several noteworthy intermediate outcomes. The first peripheral but important outcome is the benefit of collaborative self-study, which has already affected participating programs. Second, online BSIT planning has informed the definition of state-level course requirements for Associate degree level concentrations in Information Technology. In terms of the program itself, intermediate outcomes include a curriculum developed by consensus in reference to emerging accreditation guidelines, closely examined program and course prerequisites, and a process for jointly planning, reviewing and certifying courses. This paper first describes the project's context, background and the needs assessment, then briefly describes the technological and administrative infrastructure required to deliver the degree collaboratively and at a distance. We focus on the program's impact to this point, curricular structure and rationale, and conclude with our expectations for the project's future.