Springfield, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) received approval from the University of Illinois System Board of Trustees on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to launch a new Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology degree program, slated to begin in the fall of 2027.
The program, developed by the College of Health, Science and Technology, aims to address a growing demand for engineering professionals with practical, hands-on skills, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, automation, and emerging technologies. UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch emphasized the program’s alignment with both student interests and workforce needs, stating that it will prepare students for success in “rapidly evolving technical fields while supporting economic growth across our region.”
The 120-credit hour curriculum will integrate classroom learning with extensive laboratory experience and industry-integrated projects, focusing on applied, project-based learning. Graduates will be prepared for roles in automation, manufacturing systems, technical management, and other emerging engineering fields. The university plans to offer the program in a variety of formats – in person, online, and blended – to accommodate traditional students, transfer students, and working professionals.
The approval from the Board of Trustees follows internal university governance review. The program now awaits final approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education before its planned launch in 2027.
The new degree is part of a larger, year-long academic portfolio review at UIS, which examined 154 programs to ensure alignment with student demand and state economic needs. According to UIS, the review is intended to strengthen high-demand programs and invest in emerging opportunities. Gooch stated that grounding decisions in data and market insight is “critical to ensuring UIS remains aligned with the evolving needs of our students and our state.”
