Officials at Eastern Washington University and Microsoft have announced a partnership to offer EWU students the ability to learn how to operate in the cloud.
Data analytics is one of the fastest growing and highest demand professions in the world, not to mention one of the best paying, and EWU and Microsoft are teaming to offer a bachelor of science degree in the field. According to a news release, courses from Microsoft Professional Program (MPP) in data science will be integrated into the final year of curriculum for students studying analytics at EWU’s College of Business and Public Administration (CBPA).
EWU is currently the only college in the state, and one of a select few in the nation, to have the MPP Data Science credential already integrated into a degree.
“Eastern Washington University is delighted to work with Microsoft on this program,” EWU President Mary Cullinan said in the release. “By collaborating with the private sector, Eastern can address significant needs in professional and technical areas. The Microsoft initiative is a wonderful model of how we can work together.”
Under the program, seniors will take hybrid classes taught by EWU faculty utilizing Microsoft courses. Eastern students completing this rigorous program will earn a B.S. in data analytics as well as a professional distinction certificate in data science from Microsoft. They’ll leave Eastern as data science practitioners who are ready to become professionals.
“The Open edX on Azure scalable platform, the rigorous curriculum, and the industry credential from Microsoft, combined with an academic degree from Eastern, will give graduates a distinct advantage in securing the jobs of the future that are most in-demand,” Anthony Salcito, Microsoft vice president for education, said in the release.
Surveys by the McKinsey Global Institute, a private think tank, have shown 48 percent of executives say it’s harder to find and retain analytics talent. McKinsey also projects a shortage of 1.5 million managers and analysts by 2018 who know how to utilize big data to make effective decisions.
“It pays really well,” EWU Media Relations Director Dave Meany said. “It’s just there’s nobody qualified.”
Worldwide, rates of completion for online courses are low — typically less than 10 percent. Meany said Microsoft’s partnership with EWU will provide more support of the courses from instructors, as well as classmates, allowing for successful completion of the degree.
EWU will roll out the program this fall with a few students who are eligible. The first full enrollment cycle will begin fall 2018 so that Eastern has time to market and recruit for the program.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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