University of Advancing Technology

University of Advancing Technology
Established	1983
Type	Private University
President	Jason Pistillo
Admin. staff	Appx 200
Undergraduates	Appx 1,200
Postgraduates	Appx 50
Location	Tempe, Arizona, USA
Colors	Red, Black, Silver
Mascot	none official
Website	http://www.UAT.edu

University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a private, family owned institution of higher education located in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1983, UAT is a university with multiple areas of study in technical fields, while retaining liberal arts requirements in the Fine Arts and Humanities. Sometimes misunderstood to be a vocational school due to the history of their offerings in a vocational context, UAT offers a general education comparable to typical universities such as Arizona State University, with specific emphasis on how its specialized mission integrates technology into its general education requirements. The institution offers core classes (e.g., Information Research Strategies, Technology and Society, Project Management, Intellectual Property Law), as well as traditional ones.

UAT offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degrees, on campus and online. The school has an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students. UAT also participates in a student exchange with DeMontfort University, UK.

History

Founded in 1983, the University of Advancing Technology was first known as CAD Institute, a small school focused on training engineers and architects in the then new field of computer-aided design. Students came to CAD Institute seeking professional development training and certifications. The institution received accreditation in 1987 by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACECT) at the diploma and occupational associate’s level.

In 1992, CAD Institute founded an initial research center, the Computer Reality Center. The center primarily performed research for the computer graphics industry, with specific emphasis on the field of virtual reality. The Institute also shifted to a new accrediting agency, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which certified it as a college.

In 1996, CAD Institute was accredited as a four-year institution. That same year, the Institute began offering educational programs outside the CAD focus. In order to reflect the broadened technology focus of students within the institution, the CAD name was retired in 1997; the institution was renamed the University of Advancing Computer Technology (UACT).

Associated with a growth in programs and the student body, the institution designed and built a technology-oriented 50,000-square-foot (4,600 m²) campus in 1998 in Tempe, Arizona. The building features classrooms, computer labs and computing commons outfitted with approximately 300 computer workstations and an extensive technology infrastructure. Also in 1998, UACT received approval from ACICS to offer a Master of Science in Technology degree. In 2000, it received approval to offer online courses.

The institution made another incremental change in its name in 2002, when it became the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) to recognize that computer technology had evolved beyond the personal computer to encompass all devices that communicate, manage information, and provide connections through all media, including the Internet. In 2003, UAT offered its first online Bachelor's degree in Game Design.

In the fall of 2007, housing facilities for 260 students were opened on campus. That same year, UAT became a candidate with The Higher Learning Commission and an affiliate of the North Central Association. In recognition of the quality of its Network Security program, the University was also designated a Center of Academic Excellence by the National Centers of Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) sponsored by the U.S. National Security Agency and the Homeland Security Department.

Accreditations, authorizations and approvals

As of 2009, UAT is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. to award diplomas, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees. The school's programs do not have ABET or ATMAE accreditation.

UAT was designated a Center of Academic Excellence by the National Centers of Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) sponsored by the U.S. National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security^{[citation needed]}.

Network Security programs certified by the US National Security Agency's Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation program for 4011 CNSS National Standard for Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) Professionals and 4013 National Standard for System Administrators in Information Systems Security (INFOSEC).

Degrees

Degrees offered at the university include: Bachelor of Arts

• Digital Media
• Digital Video
• Game Art and Animation
• Game Design
• Serious Games and Simulation
• Virtual Modeling and Design

Bachelor of Science

• Advancing Computer Science
• Artificial Life Programming
• Enterprise Software Development
• Game Programming
• Human Computer Interaction
• Network Engineering
• Network Security
• Source Technologies
• Robotics and Embedded Systems
• Strategic Technology Development
• Technology Forensics
• Technology Product Design
• Technology Studies
• Web and Social Media Technologies

Master of Science

• Advancing Computer Science
• Emerging Technologies
• Game Production and Management
• Information Assurance
• Technology Leadership

Visiting Professors

• Dr. William Simpson
• John Smart (President, Accelerating Studies Foundation)
• Mauro Palatucci (ISIA Rome – Fall 2011)

Scholarships

UAT offers scholarships in the following areas:

• Academic Scholarships
• Application Scholarships

Student trips

Throughout the year, UAT coordinates and subsidizes student trips to the technology industry's top conferences, fun excursions and industry tours. All Student Trips are chaperoned by UAT staff and faculty members. Students also attend industry-trade shows and exhibitions and academic conferences.

Recent trips:

• Japan (2009)
• China (2010)
• Italy (planned for 2012)
• Defcon
• Black Hat Briefings
• Game Developers Conference (GDC)
• SIGGRAPH
• Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)

Student government

Mission Statement: The UAT Student Government is to be a voice of the student body for the betterment of the student experience.

The UAT Student Government (USG) will provide the students of The University of Advancing Technology a gathering, a voice, and an identity, setting traditions within the university. The Student Government has a duty to act for the students in their interest, as a liaison organization to the University; and in acting as such the Student Government will work to represent the needs of the students as a whole.^{[citation needed]} The Student Government will have direct impact on major policy issues and in initiating and recommending changes to meet student needs and wishes.^{[citation needed]} The Student Government will be responsible for communicating with students on issues of interest, coordinating student organization formation, support for collecting student input into University processes, provide student awareness, and maintaining continuity within the Student Government.

Student clubs

• Anime Club
• BUFFER]Overflow
• Root the Box]
• Fencing
• LAN Committee
• NurF WarZ
• Quarter Circle Forward (QCF)
• A.P.S. (The Academic Paranormal Society)
• Spartan Fitness
• T.C.G.C (Trading Card Game Club)
• War Games (Warhammer)
• UDK (Unreal Development Kit Club)
• Unity (Gay Straight Alliance)

User groups

• InfraGard
• Phoenix Java User Group
• Phoenix PC User Group
• Phoenix Cold Fusion Group
• XUsers Group
• Phoenix Linux Users Group

Other

UAT hosts an annual technology forum that features guest speakers from emerging technology fields as well as traditional technology fields such as software engineering and programming.

In 2003, a group of students from the UAT Web Club won the Governor's Tourism Award for Web Marketing/Technical Marketing for its work on improving and updating the website for the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum.

On December 28, 2006, a student currently enrolled at UAT was interviewed on All Things Considered on National Public Radio, about social technologies.

On February 16, 2007, Dean of Academic Affairs Rebecca Whitehead was interviewed on WoW Things Considered, a World of Warcraft-oriented internet radio show hosted by World of Warcraft Radio. She was interviewed regarding her new college-credit Leadership course at the university, led entirely within the World of Warcraft.

On September 22, 2011, it was reported that Cody Kretsinger, a network security major was arrested on charges of hacking into Sony Pictures Entertainment's computer network. Kretsinger allegedly was a member of the hacker group LulzSec. According to a school newsletter from the University of Advancing Technology, Kretsinger was a former Student of the Month. AZCentral Article

Notes and references

• http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,/instid,2863/lang,en/

External links

• Journal of Advancing Technology (JAT)
• List of majors offered by the University of Advancing Technology
• UAT TV