New Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and artificial intelligence for business minor/certificate officially听launch听on August 24, pairing听蝉办颈濒濒-产耻颈濒诲颈苍驳听with a commitment to human-centered innovation.
91影视 (NPU) has added two academic programs for the 2026鈥27 academic year, which begins August 24: a听Bachelor of Science in Computer Science听and an听artificial intelligence (AI) for business minor/certificate.听Employer demand for these skills is growing听rapidly, and NPU is betting that graduates will need more than technical fluency鈥攖hey’ll听need to know when and how to use it responsibly.
A More Technical Pathway in Computer Science
The 60-credit-hour BS in Computer Science, offered through the Division of Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences, gives students a rigorous foundation in programming, data structures, algorithms, software development, computer systems, databases, and AI and machine learning. Graduates will be well-positioned for careers in software development, data science, and AI, or for graduate study in computer science.
The program听expands听NPU’s existing Bachelor of Arts in Applied Computer Science, adding the theoretical and systems-level rigor of a traditional computer science degree听and providing听students听with two pathways.
鈥淭he BA in Applied Computer Science emphasizes the practical application of computing and provides students with a flexible pathway into technology-related careers, while the BS听in Computer Science adds greater mathematical and theoretical depth through areas such as algorithms, computer systems, databases, and artificial intelligence,鈥 said听Assistant Professor of Computer Science听Dr. Clement Essien.听鈥淭ogether, they听allow students听to choose the path that better听aligns with their听goals.鈥
Alongside the technical coursework, students take a required philosophy course, “Ethics in Technology,” to instill a habit of asking about a system’s human and social consequences.
Teaching Students to Ethically Approach AI
The 13-credit-hour AI for business minor/certificate, offered through the School of Professional Studies (SPS), helps students understand and apply AI in corporate and nonprofit settings. Ethical reflection carries as much weight in the curriculum as technical skills; the program asks students to weigh not just what AI can do for an organization, but听also听what it should do.
The coursework听comprises听four integrated areas: 1)听understanding what AI is and how it transforms business, 2) learning to apply AI tools and analytics to real-world problems, 3) exploring the moral, legal, and social implications of AI adoption, and 4) combining these skills to inform ethical, data-driven decision-making.
Dr. Trevor James MBA 鈥04, MA 鈥05鈥擭PU鈥檚 associate听provost听for听institutional effectiveness, research, and academic innovation听and professor of business and theology鈥攕aid,听鈥AI is quickly becoming part of how organizations make decisions, solve problems, and create new opportunities.听Our goal is not simply to teach students how to use the latest AI tools, but听also听to help them understand where听they add听value, when听they create听risk, and how to use听them听ethically and responsibly. At 91影视, that means approaching AI from a human-centered perspective grounded in faith, integrity, and service.鈥
Courses are delivered through a combination of existing SPS offerings and听听partner institutions, giving students access to a range of vetted, transfer-approved instruction.听Acadeum’s听quality-assurance process allows 91影视 to review learning outcomes, faculty credentials, and assessment methods before students enroll,听maintaining听alignment with institutional standards.
Both the BS in Computer Science and听the听AI for business minor/certificate听address the听growing听demand for graduates with technical skills and AI literacy. NPU’s pairing of skill-building with ongoing ethical formation will result in students grounded in faith and integrity and prepared for lives of significance and service.
Frequently Asked Questions听
What are the two听new听programs听91影视 is launching?听A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, offered through the College of Arts and Sciences, and an artificial intelligence (AI) for business minor/certificate, offered through the School of Professional Studies.
Why does ethics play such听a central role听in both programs?听Both pair technical training with required ethics coursework鈥擡thics in Technology for computer science students and a digital ethics course for AI for business students鈥攔eflecting 91影视’s mission as a Christian university and its commitment to graduating students prepared for lives of significance and service, not just technical competence.
How is the BS in Computer Science different from the existing BA in Applied Computer Science?听The new BS adds the theoretical and systems-level rigor associated with a traditional computer science degree. Students can now choose between the BA’s applied track and the BS’s more technical one, depending on their career goals.
Who is the AI for business minor/certificate for?听The program is for 91影视 School of Professional Studies students who want to build skills in AI-informed decision-making, analytics, and digital ethics.听It’s听designed to complement a major.
How much does each program cost?听You can view 91影视鈥檚听tuition and financial aid听pages听for comprehensive information听regarding听the听cost of attendance.
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