Oklahoma Christian University’s computer science program was recently ranked sixth on a nationally-recognized list of “20 Best Value Small Colleges for a Computer Science Degree” in 2019.
According to the website, the practical aspects of the program greatly contributed to its placement on the list.
“Required classes like Team Game Production, for example, will give you a glimpse into what it takes to create a real game demo—and will impart valuable career-focused experience in the process,” the website said. “Overall, OC represents a great opportunity to attend a top college for a computer science degree in both gaming and animation.”
Andy Harbert, who currently serves as the department chair for the program, has worked as a computer science professor at Oklahoma Christian for 21 years. He attributes the success of the program to the previous chair, Don Leftwich, as well as the director of the graduate computer science program, David North.
“Our motivation for cultivating the CS program is to provide students with the tools to make a great career and to make the world a better place,” Harbert said. “It’s not hard to find examples where people use software to hurt others or simply to enrich themselves, so we want to produce graduates that are not only highly skilled but who also consider a higher calling in the way that they apply these powerful software tools.”
Harbert said the Oklahoma Christian computer science program creates a “big footprint” for the size of the school. In addition to the traditional computer science program, Oklahoma Christian has computer science degrees specializing in business, cybersecurity and gaming and animation.
“In addition to the technical and academic qualities of our program, our faculty brings a wealth of academic qualifications and over 70 years of combined industry experience to the program,” Harbert said. “We really want our students to succeed, so we push our students to learn the theory and practice that enables them to become great problem solvers. In addition, we are always seeking ways to improve the program and stay current with industry trends and tools.”
Senior Jacob Creech said he came to Oklahoma Christian for the people, positive environment and the computer science program. Since many of the professors have real-world experience, Creech said he would recommend the program to a prospective student.
“You will definitely get a good computer science degree,” Creech said. “On top of that, businesses are not just looking to see if you are good at code. While that is very important, they also are looking at how well you present yourself. Are you good with people? Do you have leadership skills? I think being at Oklahoma Christian, there is a unique factor that allows people to grow in those areas.”
The program has also experienced growth in the past few years, especially after the cybersecurity degree came into the picture last fall.
“I would say the entire department has grown fairly well in the past two years,” Creech said. “My freshman year in our chapels, maybe 10 or 15 students would show up, and now we have at least 40 to 50 regularly. The fact that it’s grown so much and the professors that we’ve brought forward have greatly increased the diversity in the type of degree you can get.”
Harbert said his favorite aspect of teaching at Oklahoma Christian is working with his fellow faculty and students.
“Our faculty doesn’t just pay lip service to ‘OC is Home;’ they actually do care about the students and their long-term success,” Harbert said. “Working with the students is a constant challenge and joy. Computer science is not an easy major, so it is very rewarding to watch a student step up to the challenge, overcome obstacles, mature and grow during their years at Oklahoma Christian.”
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