Tulane SoPA, Operation Spark partner to create pipeline to bachelor’s degree

Tulane University School of Professional Advancement (Tulane SoPA) and Operation Spark have partnered to offer Adult Workforce Immersion Program graduates up to 15 credits toward a Tulane SoPA Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology.

“Tulane SoPA and Operation Spark are like-minded organizations that offer premier applied education and workforce preparation for our community,” said Ralph Russo, Information Technology program director at Tulane SoPA. “By aligning with Operation Spark we are offering students a rapid path matched with a curriculum rooted in advanced problem-solving techniques and business acumen with practical solutions for IT problems.”
 

This partnership with Tulane SoPA allows us to provide more training that meets the needs of jobseekers in tech as well as the ever-growing number of companies looking for trained employees. 

— Operation Spark CEO John Fraboni

Operation Spark is a New Orleans-based non-profit organization that offers intensive software development training and workforce preparation to low-opportunity individuals through an Operation Spark Adult Workforce Immersion Program bootcamp. This application development bootcamp is designed to offer attendees the “fastest route to a career in software development.” 

“Operation Spark is thrilled to partner with Tulane SoPA to give our Adult Workforce Immersion Program graduates credits toward a degree,” said Operation Spark CEO John Fraboni.  “As software development is the fastest-growing job market in our state, Operation Spark's mission is to provide access to literacy in software creation for everyone. This partnership with Tulane SoPA allows us to provide more training that meets the needs of jobseekers in tech as well as the ever-growing number of companies looking for trained employees.  It’s a win-win partnership for providing a path for more high-paying tech jobs for Louisianians.”

Operation Spark graduates who enroll in this program will receive prior learning credit for five Tulane SoPA Information Technology required undergraduate courses for a total of 15 credits toward their Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree. Tulane SoPA Information Technology prepares students to pursue careers in information technology, with concentrations available in application development, enterprise systems and cloud, cybersecurity, and product and program support. At Tulane SoPA Information Technology is available for undergraduate, graduate and master’s degree programs.  

“The growth of the tech sector in the Greater New Orleans region has increased the need for software developers,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “Students within Tulane SoPA will now be able to take advantage of the high caliber training that Operation Spark is known for, while within a full degree program. This partnership will ensure that the software developers of tomorrow will gain the skills they need to be successful.”

For more information about applying credits earned through Operation Spark and this pathway for students, please visit sopa.tulane.edu/operationspark or the Operation Spark partnership page. Applicants will need to submit a unique application code provided to Operation Spark graduates for use in the Tulane SoPA application process.