Faculty Profile: Dr. Andrew Sears

“The fact that the online program is part of an established, nationally-ranked, public research university is vital.”

As chair of UMBC’s Department of Information Systems, Dr. Andrew Sears has been involved in its online master’s program since 2001.

"We’ve passed the hurdle of getting to a critical size," Sears explains. In just a few years, the program has grown from an enrollment of two students to having enrolled and/or graduated a total of nearly 400." Dr. Sears continues, "That’s impressive and demonstrates the growing recognition our department's research and academic programs are receiving nationally and internationally. The online Master’s in IS continues to grow in popularity based on the overall reputation of our department’s offerings — both on-campus and online — and the individuals we graduate."

In a recent issue of Computing Research News, UMBC ranks #2 in IT degrees awarded by major US research universities, highlighting the fact that UMBC is among the top producers of information technology graduates in the country.

"There are two clear benefits of pursuing the online program," says Sears. "The first is geographic freedom. We have students and graduates from all over the United States, including Hawaii, as well as some international students. The second is that there is more freedom in terms of when you do the work; if you want to do the work at 3 a.m., that’s your prerogative."

Dr. Sears is pleased about the caliber of students enrolled in the online program. "I’ve received feedback from faculty about the high quality of their students. Their dedication to the activities they’ve been engaged in is impressive — with many students indicating that they have applied their course work to their jobs and see significant opportunities for professional advancement even before graduation."

Sears gives equally high praise to a dedicated faculty that has shown responsiveness and a constant willingness to adapt to the unique needs of their online students. "The way the faculty have taken ownership of the program is another critical component."

Sears feels that it is important for all students, whether pursuing an online program or a traditional face-to-face program, to make certain that they are deeply interested in and committed to the subject matter. "Presumably, this will be a decision that shapes your career and it will take up a large percentage of your time. Make sure it’s the right choice. Think about the degree and make sure it helps you head in the direction you want to go."

Additional information about Dr. Sears can be found at http://www.research.umbc.edu/~asears/.