February 27, 2017, Carlinville, IL – Blackburn College has announced that new programs in Ag Business, Cyber Security, Game Design, Arts Administration, and the Performing Arts will be added to the college’s academic offerings starting Fall 2017.
“Each of the new programs represents bold initiatives to offer career-focused majors that enhance Blackburn’s already robust academic programs,” noted Dr. John McClusky, Blackburn College Provost. “These are changes that add to the strengths of the College and also respond to the interests of prospective students. Our admissions office continually receives inquiries for these programs and the necessary coursework aligns well with Blackburn’s current course offerings and faculty.”
A new Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Business will combine both agricultural science and business curriculum to prepare graduates for careers in agricultural industries. Combined with Blackburn’s strong liberal arts environment and presented as part of the Business Department, the new major will respond to needs expressed by prospective students throughout the Midwest who desire an ag business degree but are not interested in attending a large university.
The college will also offer computer science degrees with new major concentrations in cyber security and game design. Students earning the Cyber Security major will learn about the development of network security systems and protocols that protect vital data in private corporations or government organizations. The major will provide coursework explaining concepts related to computer forensics, vulnerability assessment, security compliance, and software assurance. The Game Design major will provide a well-rounded base for students to pursue a career creating games with commercial appeal or for use in educational and corporate settings.
The Bachelor of Arts in Arts Administration is designed for students who are passionate about the arts and want to make art, music, or theatre a part of the community. Graduates will be prepared to be leaders in arts organizations, understanding the business end of organizations that make the creation of art possible or bring art to the public. The course of study focuses on topics important to the arts and the administration of arts organizations, drawing on existing coursework from many departments at the college, including Art, Business, English & Communications, and Music & Theatre.
The Department of Music & Theatre will now offer four specific Bachelor of Arts degree majors: Music – Vocal Performance, Music – Piano Performance, Theatre, and Musical Theatre. The new focus areas will be enhanced by Blackburn’s state-of-the-art performance facilities, current faculty, and unique work program opportunities that provide an individualized educational environment not found in most schools.
“We anticipate that we will have interest in all of these new areas from both current students and prospective students,” said Alisha Kapp, Director of Admissions. “The new offerings present great opportunities for students to align their degree pursuits more closely with their personal educational and career goals. Blackburn has a unique educational environment where we can offer challenging academic programs paired with the nationally known Blackburn College Work Program. This exceptional preparation is what helps our graduates attain a incredibly high placement rate in the work place or graduate programs.”