Information Systems

General Overview Information Systems Certificate

The Information Systems graduate programs focus on technical, managerial and policy issues associated with constructing and managing computer-based information systems for modern organizations. All areas of private and public enterprise rely on information systems for communication, planning, providing services, control and supporting decisions. The objectives of our IS graduate programs are to meet the growing demand in society for graduates with high-level information system skills and provide a path for women and men from diverse fields to rapidly transition to information system career paths by providing them with foundation graduate level courses in information systems. The program is explicitly designed to accommodate students from wide-ranging undergraduate degree backgrounds. The Graduate Certificate in Information Systems is earned by those students who complete fifteen credits of required courses under the MS Information Systems graduate degree program. All of the required courses should be available to the student through distance technologies at least once within any two-year period. If one of the courses has been waived due to previous coursework or acquired skills, students are required to take an appropriate replacement course as specified by the graduate coordinator in consultation with the MSIS graduate faculty. Unless students know positively that they will not pursue a full master’s degree online, students desiring to acquire the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems should apply for formal admission to the MS Information Systems (MSIS) program. If a student is unable to complete the full MS within a reasonable period of time, the student may request of the graduate coordinator that they are awarded the 5-course Graduate Certificate in Information Systems in lieu of completing the MSIS. Up to two graduate courses may be taken as a Non-degree Student prior to formal admission. Students desiring only the Graduate Certificate should complete that application instead.

Program Requirements (15 credits)

The Graduate Certificate in Information Systems requires completion of the following five courses:

• SIE 505: Formal Foundations of Information Systems 3cr.
• SIE 507: Information Systems Programming 3cr.
• SIE 515: Human Computer Interaction 3cr.
• SIE 525: Information Systems Law 3cr.
• SIE 550: Design of Information Systems 3cr.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Students desiring to acquire the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems should apply for formal admission to the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program. If a student is unable to complete the full MS within a reasonable period of time, the student may request of the graduate coordinator that they are awarded the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems in lieu of completing the MSIS. In addition to an application and official transcripts showing completion of an undergraduate degree, applicants must submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and three letters of reference. Those with less than a GRE score of 143 verbal, 146 quantitative (900 under the old scoring system), and 3.5 analytical and /or lower than an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 are discouraged from submitting an application. The time limit for completion of the Graduate Certificate is the same as that set by the Graduate School for completion of a master’s degree. At a minimum, an applicant must have a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or a four-year international equivalent. Within their curriculum, all applicants should have completed a university course in Algebra as a minimum math prerequisite for admission. Previous programming courses or experience are recommended but not required. The review committee considers both the curriculum completed and the institution attended in its assessment. All students apply through the Graduate School and the entire application packet including transcripts, test scores and letters of recommendation must be received before a formal acceptance will be issued typically. Applications processed through the Graduate School are accomplished on a rolling basis and no strict deadlines apply. However, to be considered for Fall admission, completed applications must be received 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the term. Those applying for campus-wide research assistantships or scholarships should complete their application packets by January 1 for September admission. When you are ready to apply, please first review the Application Instructions. Then, complete your online application.

What can I do with an Information Systems Certificate?

The future business climate will be characterized by rapid technological change, intense global competition, faster product life cycles and more complex, specialized markets. In such an environment the information needs of organizations are increasingly complex and rapidly changing. Individuals with information systems expert who can design and develop information systems, manage sophisticated information resources, work on interdisciplinary teams and communicate effectively with business managers, engineers, and other end-users are in short supply. A major goal of our graduate programs is to produce individuals who can make significant contributions to economic development by ensuring that businesses have the expertise needed to remain competitive. The demand for graduates of graduate-level information systems programs both in-state and nationally is high. Information technologies are key to enabling the growth of businesses. Individuals in all areas of private and public enterprise rely on information systems for communication, planning, control and decision support. The advanced knowledge provided by graduate-level information systems programs is needed across a wide range of commercial settings. While the market-place demand for students with graduate coursework in information systems is already high, the demand for such skills is predicted to steeply increase in the years ahead.

Duration

15 credit hours

Cost & Fees

• $418/cr. in-state and
• $1,330/cr. out-of-state

Miscellaneous

Fall / Spring