“Pace University has been a leader in professional education for a long time,” says Susan Ford, university director of graduate admissions. “Folks who are trying to get to the next level have always been part of our DNA. We are in tune with the economy, and we try to be flexible and move with it.”
One of the ways Pace is responding to the current marketplace is by placing an emphasis on computer sciences and information systems. The University offers five MS programs in subjects such as Computer Science, Internet Technology, Software Development and Engineering, and Telecommunications Systems and Networks. While most people pursuing these degrees have a background in science or engineering, Pace offers a set of classes for students who don’t, in order to catch them up before they begin their graduate degrees (except Software Development, which requires some background). It’s all about being sensitive to the needs of career changes, says Ford. Not surprisingly, applications to these programs are at an all-time high.
Similarly, MBA students who don’t have a background in finance or marketing can take accelerated core courses to prepare, but Ford says many enter with business backgrounds.
Another hot area of study at Pace is the MPA, especially with a healthcare concentration. This degree attracts students from various backgrounds who see the need for strong talent to handle some of the tough healthcare challenges the country is currently facing.
