Video Gaming Program Coming to Carroll, MATC

On Tuesday, representatives from and Milwaukee Area Technical College will meet on Carroll’s campus to sign an articulation agreement for a joint program in information technology with an emphasis on computer game development. This is the first four-year program in southeastern Wisconsin that focuses on gaming.

In addition to recreational uses, game technology has been used for educational tools and business strategies software, as well as for training soldiers, pilots and surgeons. Although this program is themed on game development, students are exposed to many other applied and problem-solving skills that prepare them for a broad range of jobs in rapidly changing technology fields, such as software development, multimedia development, digital media and film production.

The Bachelor of Science degree in information technology with emphasis on computer game development will include two years of courses taught in Carroll’s computer science program, and the courses from MATC’s two-year associate degree in applied science in computer simulation and gaming.

“This is a very exciting public/private, two-year/four-year institution collaboration that will produce gaming professionals with strong technical skills, information technology knowledge and a grounding in the liberal arts,” said Jane Hopp, dean of Carroll’s College of Natural Science, Health Science and Business.

Carroll and MATC will provide a quality educational program that is academically challenging and career-enriching by maintaining a balance between theoretical and practical aspects of computer and video game development, and between game design and realization. The program also will provide a curriculum that serves the industrial organizations in the region and beyond.

In attendance from Carroll will be Douglas Hastad, president; Joanne Passaro, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Jane Hopp; John Symms, chair of the department of Computational and Physical Science; Chenglie Hu, professor of computer science; and Gerald Issacs, professor of computer science and a member of MATC’s Computer Simulation and Gaming, and Information Technology boards.

MATC representatives will include Dr. Michael Burke, president; Dr. Vicki Martin, executive vice president and provost; Ellis Bromberg, dean of the School of Media and Creative Arts and general manager of Milwaukee Public Television; and Judy Reinders from the School of Business Administration.

"This partnership will provide new opportunities for current and future students of MATC and Carroll University, and is another option for students to benefit from the high quality education offered by both institutions," said Barbara Cannell, associate provost at MATC.

On Monday, Nov. 14, Lynn Novak, associate director of admission, and Chenglie Hu will visit MATC as guests of Alain DeMars, chair of the computer simulation and gaming program, to speak with prospective transfer students. The first Carroll classes will be offered in spring 2012.

This information was provided to Patch via a news release from Carroll University.