University Of Central Missouri: Industry-Focused Education In Big Data Analytics & Cloud Computing

Preparing students for the current workforce is becoming a challenge for educational institutions. Owing to the high demand for graduates holding specialized degrees in Big Data analytics (BDA) and Data Science, universities and colleges are struggling to adapt their curriculum so that students can gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience in applied skills. To groom the students into skilled professionals with proper industry knowledge, the faculty must ensure that the pedagogy is aligned with the industry’s demands.

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) has understood these challenges and provides students with the needed education to stay relevant in the industry. UCM was founded as a teacher’s college and has evolved into an institution that offers a variety of programs that provide opportunities for students to get an education and a way to become successful in the industry. The Department of Computer Information Systems and Analytics (CIS&A) has built its reputation in the industry for experience-based learning for more than 50 years. The UCM main campus is located in Warrensburg, while the second most modern campus is in Lee's Summit, closer to Kansas City. The graduate programs are offered at the Lee's Summit campus, while undergraduate courses are available in Warrensburg.

Aligning Education with Industrial Requirements

The university has programs like Big Data Analytics and Information Technology (BDA&IT), which prepare students for data engineering, data science, and data analytics together. The CIS department in UCM provides education based on the industry, which takes over 50 percent of the hours dedicated to each course including industry-strength projects that are designed to turn graduates into professionals. CISA not only teaches theory but also conducts updated programs for the industry. For students’ academic and professional success, UCM provides a support structure, including faculty mentorship, tutoring, and career counseling.

The CISA department has made cloud-based learning a top priority, partnering with companies like Amazon and Microsoft, giving students access to platforms like AWS and Azure, and making students ready for a future where most of the computing works in the cloud. CIS programs have implemented education specifically designed to learn more about the industry. The university developed several labs, including the AI lab, which gives students easy access to tools to support as the technology evolves. The CISA department values experiential learning and encourages its students to take part in national competitions and present their research at conferences including the Decision Sciences Institute (DSI). Participating in these conferences allows students to share their research, meet and network with others in the field, and learn about the latest advances in the industry.

Only a handful of universities offer complete programs, including living expenses, for $30,000, as in most cases, the course fees alone exceed this amount
 

Affordable Education

“There are very few universities where you can complete the whole program, including living for $30,000. In most places, the course fee itself would be more than 30,000,” says Sam Ramanujan, CIS Professor. The CIS department in UCM is one of the 15 departments across the nation with both ABET and AACSB accreditations. The university provides affordable international graduate tuition rates. It also offers opportunities for scholarships and student work to help finance the education. The Director of Annual Giving at UCM is responsible for securing charitable donations for student scholarships and other programs conducted in the university. This position strategically plans and implements fundraising initiatives to increase contributions to the Central Annual Fund, which supports UCM’s mission of providing accessible and affordable high-quality education for the long term.

UCM’s way to excellence is its highly qualified faculty members. All faculties in CIS and Analytics have PhD and most of the faculty holds experience working with some of the top companies in the world. The faculties have strong connections with the industry keeping their research up to date to shape a curriculum while knowing about the continuously changing market needs.

UCM's approach to innovation can be seen through its continuously changing programs. BDA and IT programs have evolved to apply new technologies such as Snowflake and microservices, helping to prepare students for the next technological changes in the industry. “We teach topics like microservices, which no other university teaches typically. Normally, people learn those things when they join a company and they go through training”, adds Sam Ramanujan. The university also works with the advisory board, industry experts, and alumni who work in top companies like MasterCard, Oracle, and Tesla, listening to their feedback to keep the curriculum modern and relevant for the industry.

With rapidly developing industry and evolving technologies, the CISA at UCM is moving forward with its industry-driven curriculum with top-class faculties providing proper education, and committed to producing the next generation of leaders in technology and business. With a focus on affordability, practical skills, and strong industry connections, UCM offers students an exceptional education, a bright future, and new opportunities to become successful in the industry.