Computer Science

Essex County College (ECC) and Middlesex College worked together to develop the Computer Science pathway and partnered with High Schools and Vo-Techs on pathways beginning with  high school and moved to community college and then to a four-year institution (Rowan University (RU)) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Systems Technology (a new degree at RU). This process included the systematic review of the Computer Science curricula to determine the alignment with industry-valued certificates (CompTIA A+, CompTIA Fundamentals, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, Java SE 8 Oracle Certified Associate and more; course revisions needed to improve the alignment so students will be prepared to sit for the certification exams after completion of their credit course; prep materials to facilitate student success in sitting for the certificates (particularly important when students need to refresh material from an earlier course to sit for an exam that covers materials taught over multiple courses); recommendations for where in the curriculum to embed certifications and; what credits to award students who come to our colleges having earned certificates and want to use our Prior Learning Assessment processes to get transcript credits. 

With the Computer Science pathway’s four-year partner, ECC and Middlesex College partnered with RU to complete course-by-course alignments and develop articulation agreements that provided clear and seamless transfer pathways for students. 

For ECC, the following degrees were aligned with RU’s bachelor degrees:  

• 3+1 AS in Computer Science at ECC to BA in Computing and Informatics at Rowan 
• 2+2 AS in Computer Science at ECC to BS in Computer Science at Rowan 
• 2+2 AAS in Cybersecurity and Network Technology at ECC to BA in Computer Systems Technology at Rowan (Pathway 2) 

For Middlesex College, the following degrees were aligned with RU’s bachelor degrees: 

• 2+2 AS in Computer Science at Middlesex to BS in Computer Science at Rowan 
• 3+1 AAS in Computer Information Systems to BA in Computing & Informatics at Rowan 

The Computer Science pathway also provides new Workforce/Non-Credit Industry-Valued Certifications for Adult Learners. 

The Computer Science pathway is developing robust materials that can be shared with peer institutions that want to engage in similar work, including aligning their curricula, preparing students to sit for the certification exams, and awarding credit for prior learning.