Degree program named Program of Excellence

Purdue's computer and information technology degree program concentration in network engineering technology has been recognized as a Program of Excellence by the Information and Telecommunications Education and Research Association (ITERA). The degree program is offered by the College of Technology.

"This is another external validation of the quality and rigor of our program," said Ray Hansen, clinical assistant professor of computer and information technology and president of ITERA. "This award is based on our longstanding record of academic excellence, the breadth and depth of our courses, our high placement rates of graduates, and significant starting salaries for those graduates."

The Purdue program provides hands-on experiences in all of its networking classes. The curricula includes courses that address the operational elements of technology, the management and maintenance of technology, and the security of that technology. The hallmark of the program, Hansen said, is the integration and interaction of those technologies within the curriculum to help students understand how the topics fit together.

Only one program is recognized by ITERA annually, and that program cannot be nominated for two years after receiving the recognition. ITERA brings together educators, researchers, industry leaders and policy makers to help advance telecommunications science.