Given the exponential growth of the computer science field and its increasing impact on everyday life, it is imperative that undergraduate and graduate programmes open their doors to as wide and diverse a student population as possible. While various colleges and universities have experienced success, many have struggled.
Over the past few years, Northeastern University Khoury College of Computer Sciences has made steady advances in attracting a diverse range of students. At the undergraduate level, 35 per cent of our students identify as female or non-binary and 15 per cent come from Black, Hispanic, or indigenous communities; in our Align master’s programme, 53 per cent of our students identify as female or non-binary and 11 per cent of our domestic students come from Black, Hispanic or indigenous communities. While many factors have contributed to our success, there are a few key drivers.
Joint majors
Joint undergraduate majors are key to attracting students with a breadth of interests. We offer 56 across a wide range of disciplines from biology to business to design. More than half of our undergraduate students take advantage of this option, and this group of students is more diverse than our overall student population, with more than 40 per cent of them being women. We offered our first joint degree in 2001 and have added more almost every year since. This incremental approach has proven successful for us.
With a combined major degree in hand, graduates can enter the workplace able to use the power of tech to make significant contributions in their areas of passion. We have found that female students and students from under-represented groups often cite the combined major option as a reason they chose to study computer science.
Rigorous support that prepares students for the workplace
Internships and hackathons allow students to quickly apply what they are learning to real-world situations in a variety of work settings. Integrating industry-aligned experiences into joint degree programmes allows students to gain hands-on experience in an area that speaks directly to them. In addition, designated career advisers working in tandem with academic advisers are key to supporting students with their long-term goals and ensuring students are career-ready at graduation.
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Robust teaching assistant programme for introductory classes
Support from teaching assistants is critical to success in introductory courses. Like many fields, computer science students learn by doing. When you learn to ride a bike you fall down, and when you learn to program, there are false starts and misconceptions. It is important to have support to help you get back up. It is critical to keep the student to teaching assistant ratio low in introductory courses both at undergraduate and master’s level.
Master’s programmes for students with no tech background
For the past 11 years, Khoury College has had great success with its Align master’s programme that provides a pathway to gaining a computer science master’s degree to students from non-computer science backgrounds. The programme begins with a two-semester bridge, where foundational computer science principles are covered in a supportive, hands-on manner that not only readies students for rigorous studies but also gives them confidence in their ability to succeed. In addition, during the course of the programme, students can participate in up to two work placements that allow them to apply what they are learning and explore various career opportunities.
Support from fellow students and advisers
A cohort model, in which students progress through a programme with a group of peers, is also key to a successful computer science master’s programme for students from non-tech backgrounds. This model allows students from a wide range of backgrounds and a shared interest in computer science to collaborate, create, solve problems and support one another. Here again, advisers are integral in guiding students every step of the way, including facilitating connections with tech partners.
A common thread in successful undergraduate and graduate programmes is meeting students where they are. What beyond computer science are they passionate about? How can we help students who have ambition and drive but may lack a computer science background succeed?
As we well know, technology, when used ethically, can change lives. Making this powerful tool available to tomorrow’s leaders, with their varied passions, not only benefits the individual student but ultimately society as a whole.
Beth Mynatt is dean of Northeastern University Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
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