Truman is looking beyond the campus and the classroom to provide educational opportunities to high school students and working adults.

Beginning this fall, the newly established programs — collectively known as the Data Mastery Initiative — will aim to apply competency-based learning concepts and methods to both a high school concurrent enrollment course in computer science and a new graduate certificate in data science.

“The Data Mastery Initiative is exciting because it uses technology and an innovative approach to learning that expands the reach of a Truman education,” said University President Troy Paino. “It also proves that preparation for high quality 21st century jobs and a liberal arts and sciences education are complimentary and not mutually exclusive.”

The programs at Truman are being made possible thanks to a grant awarded by USA Funds and administered through the state of Missouri. They are part of a larger initiative to foster student interest in computer science from middle school through graduate education.

Programming for both adults and youth will be overseen through a collaborative effort between Truman’s Department of Computer Science and the Institute for Academic Outreach.

“The graduate certificate program should be an attractive option for those adults who are already in the workplace and want to acquire additional skills, but do not have the time to go back to school,” said Kevin Minch, associate vice president for academic affairs and director of Truman’s Institute for Academic Outreach. “These are emerging fields and it is important that we can find ways to adequately prepare the workforce of the future.”

In addition to the graduate certificate and for-credit classes for high school students, there will be non-credit coursework aimed at middle school students through Truman’s Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars summer program.

“In this day and age, it is never too early to get students experience in computer science,” said Jon Gering, dean of Truman’s School of Science and Mathematics. “As the landscape of technology continues to change there will always be a need to provide as many learning opportunities as possible at the high school and middle school levels.”

For more information, or to enroll, go to institute.truman.edu/data.