Washington-based technology companies are generating 20,000 new jobs a year, and a significant majority of those jobs require applicants to have completed Bachelor-level programs connected to technology fields. Ninety percent of these jobs are being filled by applicants educated outside of the State of Washington; there simply is not sufficient in-state production of Bachelor-level graduates from the array of public and private colleges and universities in the State. The need for more baccalaureate opportunities in technology fields is abundant.

Additionally, there are 700,000 adults in the State of Washington who have earned some college credits, with many having completed their associate degree from one of the 34 Washington Community and Technical Colleges. Yet, the opportunity to transfer to a four-year program to complete a bachelor’s degree, particularly in the Seattle/Tacoma metropolitan region where there is only one public university and a handful of private colleges, is insufficient. Even more critical is the lack of opportunity to transfer into a technology-related program. If you are place-bound or time-bound, your chance of completing a bachelor’s degree in this community is very small. The demand for transfer programs—affordable, efficient, and accessible degree completion program–is enormous.

Thus, we have opened Washington Technology University, the new, private university opening in Bellevue, WA. Following State Law (RCW 28B.85, the Washington State Degree-Granting Institutions Act), Washington Technology University has been authorized to offer the Bachelor of Science in Information Security by the Washington State Student Achievement Council, the state-designated agency which administers the Act. The initial program, and those to follow, are focused on providing local associate degree recipients who desire to stay and live in our region, and who want to enter the technology industry, opportunities to complete their bachelor’s degree right on the Eastside.

Information security is an essential business and societal need. Companies rely on degreed-professionals to support and protect information systems from misuse. Customers and clients expect confidential data will be safeguarded and secured. The Bachelor of Science in Information Security program provides the knowledge, skills and competency to successfully analyze, build, support, and defend information systems against cyber-attacks. A foundational study of computer hardware, software, and networking is first provided, then the program focuses on development of practical cyber security knowledge accumulated through lectures, interactive exercises, and practical reality-based projects.

The University is designed around being high-quality and high-touch, accessible, efficient, and affordable. Doctorally prepared faculty, many with real business experience, will provide onsite and online (hybrid) instruction from the convenient Bellevue campus using the newest Learning Management System technology. Admission is available to all students who have their lower division general education credits completed.  The program is designed for students to come to class part day, focusing each month on a singular topic for 18 consecutive months to earn the bachelor’s degree. This model recognizes most students must either work or meet family obligations, so scheduling is consistent for the full program. It’s also affordable: $18,000 for the full program, with the initial Founders Scholarship available to all newly enrolled students, plus some minor lab fees.  All books and materials are incorporated, so no hidden costs.

It takes substantial commitment and knowledge to start a new university, but the purpose is driven by the community need. Our community has the jobs and the talent—at Washington Technology University, we plan to provide the Bachelor-level education to bring these together.