Software Development Educational Pathway (SDEP)

Central Florida is experiencing a shortage of well-prepared software developers. A waive of retirements and a significant drop in enrollment in computing degrees has created a call to action for local community colleges and universities. A partnership has been formed between four community colleges and the University of Central Florida. The partnership is creating a new Bachelor of Applied Science in Software Development degree to explicitly articulate with Associate of Science degrees in Computer Programming and Analysis. Project goals include curriculum alignment, faculty development, student retention activities and online instruction best practices. The applied curriculum is being developed in consultation with local industry. Community college graduates will be better prepared to enter the workforce as well as articulate to a bachelor's program. The AS to BAS transition will be published as a model curriculum and available to all state colleges and universities in Florida.