Looking Ahead

UT TYLER TO OFFER NEW DEGREES, CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

BY HANNAH BUCHANAN

ON THE HEELS of the new Doctor of Medicine degree programming, UT Tyler is launching several new academic degrees and certificates with planned start dates in 2023 and 2024 to further meet the educational needs of East Texas. Housed within the UT Tyler Soules College of Business, the online Master of Science degree in cybersecurity and data analytics program is designed to

Dr. Mark Owens and Dr. Kenneth Bryant Jr., associate professors of political science, and Dr. Ken Wink, professor of public administration, have been recognized for their outstanding work in the world of politics and public opinion. ¶ The professors support the UT Tyler Center for Opinion Research, which has garnered heightened attention since its debut in fall 2018. The center includes a professional survey system for students to learn about survey research by experiencing how the data is collected. Studies have also contributed to published academic works to better understand Texas and the public's perceptions about topics. ¶ “The quality of work that is done by the Center for help address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals regionally and beyond. Inaugural classes will start this year.

Upcoming certificates, also within the Soules College of Business, include cybersecurity, data analytics and business legal studies.

The UT Tyler College of Engineering will offer two new Bachelor of Science degree programs in computer engineering and construction engineering, along with a master’s program in engineering leadership, with all set to begin this year. “With these additions, we will have the most comprehensive portfolio of engineering programs in East Texas,” says Dr. Amir Mirmiran, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

In addition, the UT Tyler College of Education and Psychology plans to offer a Master of Science degree in psychological sciences with a proposed launch date of spring 2024.

↖ UT Tyler is expanding its degree offerings, which currently include more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs.

Opinion Research is impressive,” says Dr. Neil Gray, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “We are proud of Mark, Kenneth, Ken and their teams of students who gain valuable experience while learning about survey research.” ¶ The trio’s latest publication, “Battle for the Heart of Texas: Political Change in the Electorate,” explores current political trends based on the polls, surveys and focus groups conducted by the center in partnership with The Dallas Morning News. The book was published by The University of Oklahoma Press.

¶ “While Texas is truly different from the rest of the nation, the state finds itself at the forefront of national discussion about public policy,’’ says Owens, the center’s director. “‘Battle for the Heart of Texas’ presents a deeply researched look at who Texas voters are, what they want and what it might mean for the future of the Republican and Democratic parties, the state and the nation.” ¶ Additionally, the UT Tyler/DMN polls have been recently acknowledged by RealClearPolitics for accuracy. UT Tyler/DMN polls are currently ranked among the top 20 — at No. 16 — in the profession for state polls in the 2020 senate, 2020 presidential, 2018 senate and 2018 governor projections.

RealClearPolitics is an American political news website and polling data aggregator, established in 2000.

— HANNAH BUCHANAN

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