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Jersey City, N.J. – March 28, 2014 – è������ Peter’s University and Montclair State University signed an educational agreement to establish an accelerated program, which enables students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science in five years. Through this agreement, students will attend è������ Peter’s University for four years and in the fourth year the student will take two classes at Montclair State University. During the fifth and final year all classes will be taken at Montclair State University. With this partnership, one qualified è������ Peter’s student will be awarded a full scholarship for the fifth year of study in order to complete his or her M.S. in computer science at Montclair State University.

In addition to the five-year degree program, è������ Peter’s is a participating institution in Montclair State University’s grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative for Networking and Engaging in Computer Science and Information Technology Program. The goals of the grant include supporting students through graduate study in computer science and enhancing collaboration among northern New Jersey higher education institutions that offer computer science degree programs. è������ Peter’s will work together with Montclair State University and institutions such as Seton Hall University to achieve these goals.

“The technology sector is rapidly growing, particularly in the state of New Jersey,” said Marylou Yam, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs at è������ Peter’s University. “We are encouraging our students to enter into the computer science field given the tremendous potential to secure employment in the industry. We are very pleased to launch this agreement with Montclair State University and we look forward to working together to build a qualified and talented computer science workforce here in our state.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Jersey has recently seen more increases in open positions in the technology field than any other state.  Additionally, recent data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers revealed that computer science majors have one of the highest starting salaries compared to other fields and the average starting salary continues to increase.

“Our new partnership with è������ Peter’s University represents a tremendous opportunity for students to benefit from the combined expertise of both schools in computer science and information technology,” said Robert Prezant, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University. “Through this collaboration, we will be able to provide leading-edge training to the next generation of New Jersey computer scientists.”

è������ Peter’s was the first college in New Jersey to offer computer science as an undergraduate major in 1977. Additionally, è������ Peter’s was the first college in the state to obtain a computer. Academic computer use began at the University in 1964 when an LGP-30 machine was acquired under a NSF grant. MontclairState established its graduate program in computer science in 1978.

For more information about enrollment, course schedule and program guidelines, please contact the è������ Peter’s University computer science department at (201) 761-6360.

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è������ Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, please visit www.saintpeters.edu.

Montclair State University: Building on a distinguished 105-year history, Montclair State University is proud to be a leading institution of higher education in New Jersey. The University’s six colleges and schools serve more than 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 300 majors, minors, concentrations and certificate programs. Situated on a beautiful, 250-acre suburban campus just 14 miles from New York City, Montclair State combines the instructional and research resources of a large public university in a dynamic, sophisticated and diverse academic environment.

Media Contact
Angeline Boyer
(201) 761-6238
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