Zooming in
The program allows students to earn a degree in either mathematics or chemistry from Concordia, alongside one of five engineering degrees from UND, including biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical or mechanical engineering, according to a news release.
KC Pospisil, Concordia’s vice president of academic operations, said the program is designed to increase the accessibility of engineering programs for Central Texas students.
“We know there’s a need in the community,” Pospisil said. “We are working through how we can integrate our students in with the local industry [in Austin] right now through the CTX courses.”
Pospisil said students will take in-person courses at Concordia while completing UND’s engineering curriculum online, with only limited travel required for some lab-based components.
The programs run concurrently and are designed to be completed in about five years, and Concordia will provide in-person tutoring support for the UND engineering coursework.
“I think part of the uniqueness of this program is they aren't just out there on their own taking these engineering courses as far away from us,” Pospisil said. “We are making sure that they have access to all the resources they need to be successful.”
The impact
With the increase in major technology companies investing in Texas and the projected increase in engineering opportunities in Texas, Pospisil said the program will help students find opportunities and support the state’s growth.
