Bryant & Stratton College Online, a leader in online associate’s degree programs, today announced changes to their degree program offerings for the fall as well as a new scholarship for students in its technology courses. The College is currently enrolling students for its Information Technology with a focus on Mobile Applications Development degree, an Associate in Office Information Technology and an Associate in Hospitality Management – Restaurant & Hotel Services degrees. All classes will begin in September 2012.

The changes in the degree programs are in response to meeting demands in nascent industries, like mobile application development, as well as to better prepare students entering career fields with changing responsibilities. The updates include:

• A new Information Technology with a focus on Mobile Applications Development Associate of Occupational Studies degree that will prepare students interested in an online IT degree to write programs for mobile applications for use on contemporary mobile devices. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of application developers is expected to grow 28 percent by 2020. Enrolling in this program will prepare students for entry-level positions with software development companies, business environments and corporate training development organizations in this growing field;
• The launch of an Office Information Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program. The degree program will replace the Administrative Assistant degree offered by Bryant & Stratton College Online. With an emphasis on information technology in an office environment, the new degree program will better reflect the growing number of technology-based responsibilities administrative assistants are undertaking in the workplace;
• The launch of a Technology Careers Scholarship for students currently enrolled in one of Bryant & Stratton College Online’s technology focused online degree programs. Eligible degree programs include Interactive Media Design, Networking Technology, Security Technology and Office Information Technology degree. Eligible and qualified candidates must be enrolled in one of those programs and must be in their first semester at the College. Scholarship recipients will be awarded up to $500 for part-time students and up to $1000 for full-time students for one semester of courses.

In addition to the changes above, Bryant & Stratton College Online will now offer a Hospitality Management – Restaurant & Hotel Services Associate of Applied Science degree. The program will prepare students for leadership roles in settings such as hotels, the food and beverage industry, travel and tourism, entertainment and sport venues, resort and spa services and casinos.

“We are excited about this set of changes to our degree programs. At Bryant & Stratton College Online we are dedicated to making sure our degree programs reflect the needs of the marketplace. By addressing these changes we help ensure our students are learning the critical skills they need to be competitive in the job market after graduation,” said Scott Traylor, Associate Campus Director for Online Education at Bryant & Stratton College.

The Information Technology with a focus on Mobile Applications Development Associate of Occupational Studies degree is not currently available to students in Ohio. The Hospitality Management degree – Restaurant & Hotel Services Associate of Applied Science degree is not currently available to students in Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.

These degrees join the five online bachelor’s degree programs, thirteen online associate’s degree programs and eleven online certificate programs Bryant & Stratton College Online offers.