1 0 • GCU TODAY
graduates, the University develops others
for careers as doctors, nurses, pharmacists,
physical therapists, health care administrators,
forensic investigators and other science-based
positions.
The University plans to merge those
academic areas through efforts led by campus
centers designed to encourage collaboration
around science, technology, health care and
business entrepreneurship.
In 2013, GCU hired Dr. Michael Mobley,
a former Arizona State University Biodesign
Institute director, to help launch the new
STEM curriculum.
Part of Mobley’s charge has been to develop
relationships with Arizona tech companies to
glean industry feedback on what they expect
universities to instill in students. Stauffer
is one of 11 Phoenix-area professionals on a
STEM advisory board for that purpose.
“When we talk about evaluating the needs
of industry, we hear them and listen to them
in the context of what are the long-term skill
sets for any successful employee,” said Mobley,
who worked in research and development for
Proctor & Gamble for nearly 20 years. “The
technical skills and qualifications evolve very
rapidly, so they’re really more interested in
employees who can adapt.”
A survey by the Arizona Technology
Council characterized the Copper State as
a “relatively low producer” of science and
engineering college graduates compared with
Alabama, Utah and others.
In another study, the nonprofit STEM
education development group Change the
Equation reported that “STEM skills have
stayed in demand even through the economic
downturn.” There are 1.7 STEM jobs in
Arizona for every one unemployed person
compared with one non-STEM job for every 4.1
unemployed people.
The Arizona Commerce Authority cited
data that suggested “55 of every 1,000
private sector workers” in the state are
employed in high-tech jobs at firms such
as Apple, GoDaddy, Intel and General
Motors — companies that recently invested
hundreds of millions of dollars to build
Phoenix-area tech centers.
Engineering and technology jobs also
pay well. According to the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, the median annual salaries
for computer science jobs range from more
GCU’s new tech degrees – skill sets and career opportunities
Emphasis in Big Data Analytics
• Students learn how to mine massive data sets, which helps
companies track customer preferences, identify trends with patient
treatments and tailor programs to specific groups.
• Database managers and administrators serve an integral role
understanding the story buried in millions of lines of data.
Emphasis in Business Entrepreneurship
• Technology project management helps computer experts
understand the business end of taking their innovations to market.
• Entrepreneurial development of new tech products or services can
lead to start-up companies or opportunities with existing companies.
Emphasis in Game and Simulation Development
• Skills in graphic visualization, computer modeling, mobile application
development and artificial intelligence equip students to create video
games and virtual simulations.
• Simulation programmers and other roles in gaming or virtual reality
modeling are in demand in a variety of industries.
Emphasis in Business Entrepreneurship
• Understanding IT project management ensures that companies
or start-ups have a controllable hardware or cloud-computing
infrastructure to conduct business.
• Blending skills with business savvy could set an entry-level student
apart in various tech industries.
Emphasis in Health Information Technology
• Health informatics and IT-driven health care require specialists trained
in using technology to help medical professionals assist patients.
• Patient records, data frommedical devices and complex health care
computer networks provide areaswhere students can develop expertise.
Emphasis in Technology Innovation
• The ability to identify how technology can improve commercial
functions is valuable in any industry or with any organization – including
those dedicated to the greater good.
• Students who have a degree with this emphasis could land jobs related
to the analysis of hardware or software and how those tools allow
businesses to function.
B.S. in Computer Science
B.S. in Information Technology
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