To meet a projected demand for computer science and information technology occupations, �����Ƶ is launching a new, completely online, information technology degree.

Affordably priced, the Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) online degree is a 124-credit hour program designed to provide a solid foundation in Information Technology including infrastructure and infrastructure management, networking, operating systems, cyber Security, programming, and data science.

“Georgia Southern’s new online Bachelor of Information Technology degree is ideal for anyone looking to advance within an already established career in the IT industry or to break into this growing field on the ground level,” said Mohammad Davoud, dean of Georgia Southern’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing. “This degree meets a growing need in Georgia, and the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of computer and information technology occupations to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.”

The new degree will be offered through eMajor, a University System of Georgia (USG) program supported by the system’s eCampus, which works with USG institutions across the state to provide quality, affordable, high-demand post-secondary degrees and credentials that address the workplace needs of Georgia and beyond. eMajor programs are ideal not only for traditional students who wish to take advantage of online course delivery, but also for working professionals, military members, transfer students and others seeking alternative routes to degree completion. 

As an eMajor program, tuition for the new online IT degree is set at an affordable $199 per credit hour, and students will have access to a wealth of additional support services such as free online tutoring and student success coaches.

Applications are being accepted now. the first classes in the program will begin in January.

“We are excited to have the first Georgia Southern degree to be offered through eMajor,” said Reinhold Gerbsch, director of Industrial Relations for the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing. “Graduates will be able to choose from jobs such as computer network architects, cybersecurity experts, computer systems analysts, or database administrators. Statistics show the median annual wage for computer and information technology is more than $86,000 a year.”

For more information about the new degree, visit

�����Ƶ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving approximately 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. .

The �����Ƶ Department of Information Technology (IT) is hosting TekLAN 46 Friday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. throughout the IT building. Put on each semester by IT students, the event includes gaming, board games, movies, coding and networking, both on the computer and socially. The student chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals is the driving force of the event’s planning, development and gaming setup. TekLAN is a real-world IT student project including system networking, troubleshooting and lab resetting. “We pretty much take over the entire second floor of the IT building,” said Assistant Professor of IT, Russell Thackston, Ph.D. “You’ll see most of the events in the labs and classrooms and plenty of people walking around socializing. We usually have about 300 people total as the event runs past midnight.” Most of the gaming happens in rooms 2208/2210, where the wall between the rooms is opened and all the lab computers are converted into gaming computers. In the other rooms, we have a virtual reality lab, console gaming, “Dungeons and Dragons” short campaigns, anime, movies, boards games and card games. This semester’s tournament game is “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2.0,” on the Nintendo Switch platform. There will be extra systems provided, but students often bring their own. The video game tournament is one of the most popular events at TekLAN. “The students that come to engage in TekLAN activities are from all kinds of disciplines like political science, English or biology,” said Assistant Professor of IT, Elizabeth Rasnik, Ph.D. “We recommend attendees just jump into playing games with other students. They’ll find tons of stuff to watch, do or learn while having fun. It’s a great event for personal networking. Campus organizations get involved with information booths, selling concessions and even recycling programs.” The student organizations that participate and are involved in the production of TekLAN include Aurora Game Development Club, Anime Club, Creators Club, Eagle ESports, Geeks ‘n Gamers, Green Ambassadors and Women in Technology. These groups are instrumental in the organization and implementation of the event. Students are encouraged to bring personal computer projects to display or demonstrate. In recent years, student creations included a clear lucite computer with LED lighted interior components and an old fashioned free-standing arcade game using raspberry pi, which is a series of single-board computers used to learn programming skills. The event is free and open to any student interested in gaming, technology or computers. �����Ƶ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving nearly 26,500 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit .