The Bureau of Labor Statistics has demonstrated a clear need for a larger U.S. workforce in computer science. The agency projects a 13 percent growth for employment in computer and information technology occupations between 2016 and 2026. How can we meet the demand for skilled high-tech professionals, while accelerating inclusion of underrepresented groups and increasing workplace diversity in the process?
In this talk, I will discuss Northeastern’s Align program, which is an innovative 2.5 year experiential master’s program that addresses critical issues related to workforce development and brings diverse students to in-demand and economically rewarding careers. The program starts with two semesters of preparatory courses and is followed by a wide variety of master’s courses. After completing two semesters worth of master-level courses, students go on a six-month paid co-op or internship. Real-world work experience is provided through industry partners like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Nordstrom. Students then return for a final semester of classes.
Northeastern offers the Align MS in CS in five locations: Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Silicon Valley, and Charlotte. Facebook is committed to supporting three additional institutions — Columbia, Georgia Tech, and UIUC — as they launch master’s programs modeled after Northeastern’s efforts. The talk will conclude by discussing best practices from Northeastern’s Align program in order for institutions to create pathways into their computer science master’s programs for people from non-tech backgrounds.
