MADISON, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has granted its approval to offer two new online Master of Science degrees: one in Applied Biotechnology and one in Information Technology Management. The two programs will be offered through the University of Wisconsin Extended Campus in collaboration with several UW System campuses. Courses are planned to begin in September pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
“We’re excited to offer these online graduate degree programs to adult learners, both in and out of the state, who are seeking to advance their careers in the growing fields of biotechnology and information technology,” said UW System President Ray Cross. “Everything taught in these programs will be relevant and useful to working students. They’ll be able to apply what they’ve learned immediately, on-the-job.”
The degree programs were designed with input from industry leaders in both the biotechnology and IT fields, and each feature a rigorous, multidisciplinary curriculum.
The UW Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology will prepare students for a variety of roles within diverse areas of biotechnology, filling a growing need for professionals who know the science, understand the industry and diversity of the market, and have the business acumen to help their organization achieve success.
Students of the Applied Biotechnology degree program will graduate with an understanding of the principles and techniques of biotechnology, in addition to skills in organizational leadership, ethics, intellectual property and patents, communication, product development, quality control, and regulatory and compliance practices. Students will choose one or more specialization tracks: Quality Assurance and Compliance, Business Management, or Research and Development. The Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology will be offered in partnership with UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater.
“Biotechnology is booming,” said Aaron Brower, Executive Director of UW Extended Campus. “Wisconsin has seen its share of that growth, being the home to 75 biomanufacturing companies and internationally recognized for its contribution to biotech research.”
The UW Master of Science in Information Technology Management balances technical IT coursework with business and managerial topics, teaching core competencies that will help students succeed in advanced IT management and leadership roles. Students will learn business fundamentals such as IT operations, project management, ethics, regulatory compliance, and communication, as well as continue to advance their IT knowledge through coursework in data science, cloud computing, enterprise security, and enterprise applications.
Graduates of the program will gain a deeper understanding of IT as an organizational function and be equipped with the skills required to strategize, plan, and lead IT projects in any industry. The master’s in IT Management will be offered in partnership with UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior.
“Specifically, in Wisconsin, demand for IT managers is above the national average; employers see a shortage of professionals to meet that demand,” said George Kroeninger, UW Extended Campus Associate Dean for Program Development. “This online degree program serves to fill that gap and expand educational opportunity for residents of Wisconsin and beyond.”
Admission to both online programs will require a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite coursework. Aptitude tests such as the GMAT and GRE will not be required. The programs feature a flat-rate tuition that compares favorably to competing graduate programs from other institutions. Like other collaborative online University of Wisconsin programs, students will pay the same tuition whether they live in Wisconsin or out of state.
The UW Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology and Master of Science in Information Technology Management join a growing list of flexible, online degree and certificate programs designed for adult learners and are offered in collaboration with UW Extended Campus and UW System campus partners.
Prospective students seeking more information about the planned University of Wisconsin Applied Biotechnology and IT Management programs are encouraged to visit appliedbiotechnology.wisconsin.edu or itmanagement.wisconsin.edu; call 1-608-262-2011 or 1-877-895-3276; or email learn@uwex.edu.
About UW Extended Campus
The University of Wisconsin System is one of the largest and most widely respected public higher education systems in the country. UW Extended Campus (https://ce.uwex.edu/) partners with all UW System campuses to offer online degrees and certificates, as well as continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities. Through UW Extended Campus, people of Wisconsin and beyond can access university resources and engage in online learning, wherever they live and work—fulfilling the promise of the “Wisconsin Idea.”
The University of Wisconsin System serves more than 170,000 students. Awarding 36,000 degrees annually, the UW System is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. More than 80 percent of UW System graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree. The UW System provides a 23:1 return on state investment. UW System institutions also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.