Walla Walla University has received approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) to launch its first three-year bachelor’s degree—the Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Science.
The new 144-quarter credit degree allows computer science students to enter the workforce sooner in a field where demand for skilled professionals continues to grow.
“This degree is a thoughtful response to the rapidly changing landscape of computer science,” said Howard Munson, associate vice president for student affairs and academic administration. “It is a pilot program, launched with careful consideration and a strong commitment to maintaining the high academic standards that define WWU. Our goal is to expand opportunity for students while continuing to deliver academic excellence.”
The university will collect at least two years of data on program performance before considering expansion of the three-year format to additional majors.
“We are proud to lead with a program that balances innovation with integrity, opening new pathways for students while protecting the values that define WWU,” said Jonathan Duncan, associate vice president for academic planning and innovation.
Computer science students may still choose traditional four-year course plans for both the bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees in computer science, which offer greater flexibility for double majors or the addition of minors in disciplines like graphic design or business, Duncan adds.
WWU’s Department of Computer Science also offers bachelor of science degrees in cybersecurity, game development, and information systems, and minors in computer science and cybersecurity.
To learn more about the department’s programs or the new three-year computer science degree, visit wallawalla.edu/cs.
Posted Nov. 14, 2025
