A Computer Science degree is your ticket into one of the fastest growing and most in-demand fields of the last decade. With a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Clarke University, you’ll be prepared to lead the next generation of innovation. Drawing from our roots in Dubuque, Iowa as one of the first small Computer Science colleges, we offer a history of success that builds a solid foundation for your professional future.
As a Computer Science major, you’ll get hands-on experience using current, state-of-the-art software and programming in addition to mobile, web, robotics, drones, server administration, and virtual reality. From programming and website design to database maintenance and information security, a Computer Science degree gives you the technical abilities employers are looking for. We pair those technical skills with computer science courses that enhance your problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethical understanding so you can create with users in mind. The program is also structured so as a computer science major, you can easily add a minor or second major, tailoring your academic experience to your specific goals and interests.
Throughout your bachelor’s degree in computer science, you’ll have the support and guidance of our expert faculty and staff, as well as community partners throughout the Midwest. We take pride in the coaching and mentoring that we build into your academic plan, and these are complimented by unique opportunities to get involved on campus and in our hometown of Dubuque, Iowa, such as participating in internships, contributing to our growing portfolio of student work, or earning a scholarship to compete on our varsity esports team. The depth and breadth of experience you will gain as a computer science major, complemented by the consistent, quality support of Clarke’s faculty and staff can help set you apart from those with an associate degree or Bachelor of Science when you reach the job market.
At a time when many technology careers were closed to women, BVM Sister Mary Kenneth Keller was paving the way at Clarke. Sister Keller shares the title for the first person in the United States to earn a doctorate degree in Computer Science, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the same day Irving C. Tang celebrated his commencement at Washington University. She then dedicated her career to advancing the field through her research and teaching. By establishing one of the earliest computer science programs in the country at a Midwestern women’s college, she ushered in new and diverse perspectives to this important field. That legacy remains an integral part of the Clarke experience today, as our classes seek to push the boundaries of technology while inspiring personal development and exploration.
Over the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that careers in the field of computer science will grow at a robust 13%, adding over 667,000 jobs to the market. Your Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science can qualify you for job titles as diverse as a computer network architect, database administrator, information security analyst, web developer and digital designer – even some positions that don’t exist yet! With a cs degree from Clarke, you’ll be well prepared to keep pace with the changes in technology, enabling you to secure a high-paying job in the industry of your choosing.
The goal of a Computer Science degree is to empower you with the knowledge to use emerging technologies to aid ethical and data-driven decision making – a skillset valued across all industries! You’ll explore circuitry, programming, and other cornerstones of the field while balancing your knowledge with the social, ethical, and economic influences that must factor into business decisions. Thanks to the flexibility built into the computer science courses and curriculum, earning a minor or even a double major is well within reach. Popular programs to pair with Computer Science include Graphic Design, Business Administration, Sport Management, Psychology, Chemistry, and many more. Even if you are a transfer student, you can graduate on your timeline with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Clarke.
Whether your next step is graduate school or the workforce, Clarke’s Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science gives you the foundational skills for a bright future. As a student, you will experience:
These elements are found in all our computer science courses through a blend of theory and practice. Thanks to these core goals, our courses also build from one another, letting you implement the things you’ve learned in new and exciting ways with each semester.
Learning in Action
As a Bachelor of Arts program, we also offer a wide array of course topics, allowing you to create a path focused on your interests. Some of our core and elective courses include:
INTRO TO PROGRAMMING — You’ll work with fundamental programming techniques to solve real-world business problems using visual components.
COMPUTER SECURITY — You’ll learn about computer security and how to apply best practices to protect infrastructure, data, and operations.
SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT — You, along with a team of students, will design and implement a large programming project that will then go across all web interfaces.
Computer Science bachelor’s degree applicants are considered on an individual basis. Apply to Clarke today to begin your journey.
Tailor Your Plan
Thanks to the Clarke Compass, creating an academic plan that fits your personal interests and goals is easy. In fact, over 20% of Clarke graduates earn a double major, giving them a unique set of skills that stand out in the workforce or on graduate school applications. Some areas that align well for a minor or double major with computer science are:
Sam Mills, Clarke University CIS Major Internship
Clarke University's Computer Information Systems Degree Program at Keller Computer Center
Clarke University Computer Information Systems Virtual Reality Simulation
Clarke University offers several faculty-sponsored study abroad experiences to destinations such as Spain, Scotland, Ireland, and Japan. Study abroad trips encourage you to experience different cultures, broaden your mind, and discover your own passions.
You will learn by observation and participation at off-campus laboratories or field settings through internships and experiential education ventures. Internships often facilitate entrance into the job market and are highly recommended for acceptance into some graduate programs.
Through your Clarke experience, you will be involved in many different activities that will guide you on your college journey. By your senior year, you will have a résumé of all your awesome involvements packaged and ready for your first interview.
What can I do with a degree in this major?
Esports is competitive, organized, multi-player video gaming. Esports is a growing phenomenon on college campuses and is one of the fastest growing varsity programs.
At first, Computer Science can feel daunting. The way it all changes, you will literally never stop learning, but there is joy in that too. My professor, Josh Moris, makes that learning and discovery fun. Like this semester, I told him I wanted to build a database that my dad could use in his business back home. Josh matched the idea with the course syllabus and now we are building it together. It is not perfect, but I’m learning a lot, and the tool keeps getting better.
Every day I work with engineers and software developers and I am excited to know that Clarke is developing the next level of our technology work force. The opportunities tied to Computer Science are endless. There are always job openings in the technical or business field that need qualified candidates and having this degree offers you the ability to apply in either direction.
A BA in Computer Science can prepare a new generation for a career like mine because a computer science degree gives you three different focuses. It teaches students how to trouble shoot, multi-task, and research solutions to new issues. With the rapid advancement in technology, Clarke has done a great job integrating new courses that allow for a multi-perspective view of what can be done with a CS degree.
While our main headquarters are in Dubuque, I am responsible for sourcing and setting up equipment for over 146 branch locations across 13 states and organizing work from home setups for numerous other locations. My job didn’t exist when I started and now I get to come in and make it my own. With a BA from Clarke, I learned to condense information quickly and make sound decisions, and I’m using those skills to grow my team.
Computer Science related jobs are expected to grow by 13% from 2020-2030, resulting in over 667,000 new jobs.
Small Class Sizes for personalized support
The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $97,430 in May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
