Academic Standards for Developing, Implementing, Evaluating, and Improving Information Science and Technology Baccalaureate Degrees

The unprecedented growth, development and implementation of information technology (IT) driven by e-commerce and other technological advances have resulted in an increased demand of technology skilled workers (Reichgelt, Zhang, & Price, 2002; United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2005). In response to degree-dependent employment requirements, academic institutions have fallen prey to the laws of supply and demand. The increased interest in obtaining IT-related positions has prompted students to enroll in IT-related degree programs. The government has supported universities interested in developing such programs by providing grants to build schools and colleges of information sciences and technology (IST). Furthermore, as IST programs grow by leaps and bounds, universities and accreditation organizations have been working to develop guidelines by which to monitor and maintain academic standards.