Concentrations versus Technical Areas of Emphasis

The advantage of concentrations having their name included on the diploma is one of marketing for students (and possibly employers).  Areas of emphasis, which do not show on the degree, may be more appropriate for finer distinctions which have no real use showing on the diploma for marketing.  The following is provided so departments can determine which one to choose.

Background:

Example: The School of Technology’s current BSET programs (CMT, EET, & MET) are concentrations.  Diplomas for BSET-EET graduates should read “Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology degree with a concentration in Electrical Engineering Technology.” (Note: During Spring of 2005 the School of Technology submitted a proposal, subsequently approved by the Senate, BOC, and State to spin-off the BSET-EET to a separate B.S. degree in Engineering Technology)

Concentrations: 

As discussed immediately above, concentrations mean that the title of the concentration appears on the student’s diploma.  It requires submission of a separate new program proposal for each concentration.

Technical Areas of Emphasis:

Areas of Emphasis do not appear on the student’s diploma and are essentially internal matters handled by including the areas of emphasis on the program’s degree audit form.  There is only one degree proposal with more than one choice of technical area of emphasis.

The Applied Ecology and Environmental Science (School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science is a good example where there are several groups within the major requirements and students select one group.  For that degree the groups are identified by letters A, B, C, … but names for the groups might be more descriptive and, in fact, the Applied Ecology and Environmental Science degree has since been modified to have names for its groups.