Brad Crisp, Director    
ACU Box 29353
Abilene, Texas 79699-9353
Mabee Business Building, Room 241

Phone: 325-674-2077
Fax: 325-674-2507
Email: brad.crisp@acu.edu

Faculty
Brian Burton, Assistant Professor
Orneita Burton, Assistant Professor
Robert R. Byrd, Associate Professor
Brad Crisp, Assistant Professor
John Homer, Assistant Professor
Alfandika Nyandoro, Assistant Professor
Raymond Pettit, Instructor
Brent Reeves, Associate Professor
Dwayne Towell, Assistant Professor

Majors: Computer Science (BS)
              Digital Entertainment Technology (BS)
               Computer Science-Math 8-12 Teacher Certification 
               Information Technology (BS)               

Minors: Computer Science                             
               Digital Entertainment Technology               
               Information Technology  

*A collaborative degree offered with the College of Business Administration. See the Department of Management Sciences section of this catalog for details.  

Introduction
Over the last decade, rapid advances in technology, specifically digital technology, have lead to dramatic changes in society and in the global economy. Computer- and technology-related fields claim some of the highest projected job growth in the United States, with software engineering, data communications, networking, security, and systems analysis and administration among the most top-rated careers.

The School of Information Technology and Computing at Abilene Christian University exists to train and educate students in fields of study associated with today’s fast-paced, high tech arena. The School integrates training in computer-related technology at ACU into a single, interdisciplinary administrative unit, encompassing faculty and students with a wide variety of computational and technological interests. The curriculum is flexible and dynamic, with courses available in a broad range of technical subjects and skills.

Four Bachelor of Science programs are available in: computer science; computer science-math education (8-12 certification); digital entertainment technology; and, information technology.  The computer science program includes two different option: a computing theory concentration and a software engineering concentration.  The computing theory concentration prepares students for careers in technical or scientific computing and provides the foundation for graduate training, while the software engineering concentration is focused on programming and software applications.  The computer science-math education (8-12) certification program prepares teachers to certify in math and computer science at the high school level.  The digital entertainment technology degree trains students to enter the game development field as level designers, technical artists or graphic artists, while learning the fundamentals of all the types of software used in developing games-from concept to publishing.  The information technology degree is centered on the implementation and administration of physical hardware, software, and communications systems and infrastructure.  Designed to be interdisciplinary in nature, this program requires a set of core technology courses, a number of elective courses that allow students to pursue their particular information technology interests, and additional electives in a second field of application that the student can use to customize his/her career direction.  

The School of Information Technology and Computing cooperates with the College of Business Administration to offer a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in information systems. This program is available for individuals who want to focus on the development and management of strategic information and technology resources that support business functions and initiatives. 

Accelerated Masters of Science in Computer Science
Students with an undergraduate major in computer science may pursue an accelerated master's degree in computer science at Texas Tech University. Through an alliance between the two universities, qualified students may complete both a bachelor of science in computer science at Abilene Christian University and a master's of science degree in computer science at Texas Tech University in five years. A total of 152 semester hours are required for the combined program. Interested students must declare their intentions early in their academic careers and maintain regular communications with their academic advisors.

Facilities and Resources
The School of Information Technology and Computing utilizes up-to-date computer labs with approximately one-hundred seats available for teaching and student use. Included is a lab primarily devoted to digital entertainment technologies. Windows and Unix-based machines, along with Macs are available, with lab equipment being refreshed every three to four years. All classrooms and lecture halls are “smart” facilities, outfitted with Internet connections, video projectors, and other resources that facilitate multi-media instruction. Wireless hot spots are found throughout the academic facilities; and students have access to some of the top applications software used in industry, including SAS, SPSS, and SAP.

Student Organizations
The School of Information Technology and Computing sponsors a student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Each year, teams of ACU students participate in the International Collegiate Programming Contest, and ACU periodically serves as a host site.

The School of Information Technology and Computing also hosts the Virtual Planes Users Group (VPUG) - an interdisciplinary student interest group devoted to the development of computer games and other digital entertainment technologies, and student chapters of the Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and the Association for Information Systems (AIS). Students may also be eligible for membership in Upsilon Phi Epsilon, the honor society for computing professionals.

Scholarships and Internships
Outstanding scholarship opportunities are available for students with strong academic credentials and who demonstrate promise for continued success in a technology field. Students with financial need are especially encouraged to apply. All scholarship inquiries should be directed to the School of Information Technology and Computing.

Student participation in internships is one of the most important aspects of the hiring decision of potential employers in the computer technology arena. Excellent internship opportunities are available for qualified students.

Study Abroad Expectations
All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

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Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)   

Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to one of the programs offered by the School of Information Technology and Computing, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

In accordance with Texas state law, the ACU Teacher Education Program has established the following criteria for admission to Teacher Education.  Before taking more than 6 hours EDUC a student must first be admitted to the Teacher Education Program.  To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, a student must: 

1. Complete and submit an application for admission into the Teacher Education Program; 
2. Have completed the first 45 semester hours of credit; 
3. Successfully complete with a C or better 12 hours in the candidate's chosen content field; 
4. Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 (2.75 or higher in the content field);
5. Complete 6 hours of University Requirements English with no grade lower than a "C" (In order to maintain admission status the candidate must earn a C or better in all university required English courses.);
6. Pass all three sections of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) test, with a score on reading section of 260 or higher, a score on the math section of 230 or higher and a score on the writing section of 240 or higher; Students may retake the THEA once if the required level is not earned in the first administration.  Acceptance of scores from a third administration of the THEA are subject to review by the Teacher Admissions Committee; 
7. Successfully complete (C or better) EDUC 211 - Educational Foundations and Multicultural Perspectives; 
8. Successfully complete the ACU Teacher Education formal writing sample administered in EDUC 211; 
9. Successfully complete first submission of the Teacher Education E-portfolio as described in the ACU Teacher Education Student Handbook; 
10. A declared major that includes certification;
11. Receive approval from the Teacher Education Admissions Review Committee.  An interview with the committee may be required.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for International Students:
International students with primary languages other than English must demonstrate English language proficiency by the following:

Obtain an official (TOEFL) score of at least 600 (computer-based score of number 250, iBT of 100).

Any exemptions or modification to the above requirements due to special circumstances must be requested through the chair of the Department of Teacher Education.  All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee.  In addition, admission to teacher education is not the final step in the process.  In order to remain in the program the prospective teacher must continue to meet the GPA requirements (2.75).  Approval to take Education Block classes (411/412 and 431/432) and to enroll in student teaching must be obtained from the Teacher Education Admissions and Review Committee before enrolling in those classes.  

Additional requirements for maintaining program admission status:

1. In order to remain in the Teacher Education Program, an overall GPA of 2.75, 2.75 in the content field, and continued approval of the Teacher Education Admissions Committee must be maintained.
2. A grade of C or better is required for all major courses.  
3. Junior and senior transfer students must take the THEA and be admitted to the Teacher Education  Program during their first semester at Abilene Christian University to continue in professional education course work.  Arrangements to take the THEA should be made as quickly as possible by contacting the Office of Career and Academic Development. 

Note: 
A candidate who does not have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher may be conditionally admitted to the program if all other admissions criteria are met and if all of the following are true:

1.  An overall GPA of 2.7 or higher in the last 60 hours;
2. A GPA of 2.75 in the teaching content field; 
3. No university disciplinary actions filed-academic or otherwise;
4. A formal letter of request submitted to the admissions committee describing the candidates academic history and articulating motivations for wanting to enter the teaching profession;
5. An interview with the Teacher Education Admissions Committee. 
        

Minimum GPA in major                                                         2.50
Minimum GPA for graduation                                               2.50
Minimum GPA in major Education                                      2.75
Minimum GPA for Education                                                2.75
Minimum advanced hours                                                    ≥33
Minimum total hours                                                              ≥128

Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (BS)      

Students pursuing the information technology degree are required to select and complete an 18-hour approved area of support as part of their academic program. This requirement can be satisfied by selecting an approved 6-course (18-hour) area of emphasis that compliments information technology. Students interested in business should pursue the BBA in information systems rather than the BS in information technology.

Some approved technical/vocational courses may be transferred from a technical school, junior college, or other two-year degree granting institution. A maximum of twelve semester hours (or four courses) may be transferred for lower-level credit. Up to twelve hours of lower-level credit may also be assigned on the basis of documented work experience, military training, and/or competency testing. The combination of transferred hours or assigned credit may not exceed twelve semester hours

Minors in Information Technology and Computing

A minor in computer science, digital entertainment technology, or information technology may be added to other degrees.

Course Descriptions

Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog. Courses offered by the School of Information Technology and Computing include those with the following designations: CS, IT, DET. Courses in information systems offered through the College of Business Administration have the following designation: IS.