Degree programs celebrate first graduates

A number of Liberty University’s newer degree programs celebrated their first graduates at the 43rd Commencement:

Bethany Steele (shown signing “interpreter”) was one of Liberty’s first ASLI graduates. Read more about Steele in the Liberty Journal.

► After launching in 2013, Liberty’s Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language & Interpreting (ASLI) program celebrated its first graduates, all of whom completed and passed the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening during the spring semester. The ASLI program equips students with the knowledge and skills to bridge communication and cultural gaps as effective Sign Language interpreters. Its students are prepared with both the technical skills and educational credentials required to complete the National Interpreter Certification exam (administered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) to become professional sign language interpreters.

► The Department of Studio & Digital Arts graduated its first Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) students. The program launched last fall and provides students with extensive practice-based course work in the field of art and design. Students focus on one of three areas: graphic design, two-dimensional art, or three-dimensional art.

► The School of Business welcomed its first alumni from the Master of Science in Marketing and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs. The Information Technology program equips students with an applied knowledge of technology in a business environment and is offered as a residential program and online. Specializations include application and database development, data networking & security, gaming design, and web & mobile programming. The Marketing M.S. program is available online and prepares students for careers across the marketing spectrum, including digital marketing and advertising, sports marketing, project management, and public relations. The program is geared toward individuals who want to further their career with a master’s degree.

► As Liberty continues to prepare the next generation of cyber defenders, its first graduates from the School of Engineering & Computational Science’s recently launched Master of Science in Cyber Security will begin serving on the front lines after earning their degrees. Offered online, the Cyber Security master’s program instructs students in advanced defense of computer and network security, equipping them to combat existing threats and bolster systems to withstand future attacks. In addition to normal coursework the program includes a lot of lab work in a custom environment to provide training scenarios that are as realistic as possible.

► After launching a number of new offerings between 2010 and 2014, the Department of Biology & Chemistry continues to celebrate first classes from its degree programs. This year marked the first Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry graduates. The forensic science degree provides students with cross-disciplinary training in chemistry or biology and criminal justice, preparing them for careers as criminal investigators, DNA analysts, environmental protection specialists, toxicologists, forensic scientists, and more.

► The School of Aeronautics graduated its first students of the online Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, Aviation Maintenance Management equipping them for leadership and management roles in the worldwide aviation maintenance industry. The School of Aeronautics aviation maintenance program began in 2010 with an Airframe and Powerplant Certification course. The program expanded to include an Associate of Arts degree in Aviation Maintenance Technician, and after that, the online Aviation Maintenance Management bachelor degree was added. Next year, a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance will be offered residentially for the first time. Over 600,000 new aviation maintenance professionals will be needed worldwide during the next 20 years.

Graduates were honored individually by their respective colleges and schools at one of 26 separate degree presentations ceremonies held throughout the day.

With more than 500 programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level, including over 250 offered online, Liberty is training Champions for Christ to impact every corner of society. Liberty is constantly improving its academic offerings in order to meet workforce demands. In addition to the university’s regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, many programs are accredited or otherwise recognized by specialized professional and accrediting agencies. Liberty was recently reclassified as a Doctoral University by Carnegie placing it among only 7 percent of colleges and universities in the nation with that designation.