Computer Information Systems Bachelors Degree Pennsylvania

Prepare for a top career in fast-growing, high-impact computer industries.

Gain the skills necessary to develop and implement new computer technologies in the corporate world and in government, higher education and nonprofits. Choose the Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems (CIS) at California University of Pennsylvania. This undergraduate degree combines knowledge of leading-edge information technologies and systems methodologies with an understanding of the evolving needs of today's dynamic business environment.

The CIS degree is ideal for students who are interested in working with technology to find solutions to business problems. This program also is designed to critically analyze existing business processes and their systems, and to redesign them into streamlined, optimized processes. While a fundamental understanding of information technology is a cornerstone of the degree, an equally important and distinguishing element of the CIS degree is a solid foundation in basic business functions.

Gain a career advantage with Cal U's accredited, well-respected CIS program

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems program at Cal U is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology (ABET). Cal U has been awarded this prestigious accreditation for more than 10 years. Cal U's ABET-accredited program, which surpasses national academic standards, was designed by a team of scholars and professionals with extensive real-world experience and with the guidance of our own CIS External Advisory Board.

The CIS advisory board ensures that the skills taught throughout the program are those in demand by industry. Our board, composed of industry representatives and graduate school stakeholders, gives annual reviews of student performance and feedback on curriculum improvements. As a result, our Cal U graduates are in high demand.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS - COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS

SOLID FOUNDATION: Our CIS curriculum offers you a strong blend of theoretical and practical concepts in business and computing topics. You will develop technical knowledge to integrate information technology solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of any organization. You'll learn how to determine the requirements, analysis, design and implementation for an organization's information systems. For instance, you'll be able to provide a web-based sales order entry system, define ways to store information in a database, and develop decision support systems for executive decision-making.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The CIS program enables students to achieve specific outcomes, including the ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline; analyze a problem and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution; design, implement and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component or program to meet desired needs; function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal; understand professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities; communicate effectively with a range of audiences; analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations and society; and pursue continuing professional development.

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$120,950

Average salary for computer and information systems managers.

120

Credit hours required for the bachelor's degree in computer information systems, which can be completed in eight semesters or four years.

Degree Benefits

Our undergraduate CIS degree program guarantees that graduates are able to apply what they've learned through a capstone, two-semester course sequence where project teams of student programmer/analysts work together to explore a real-world business need for an external corporate stakeholder. Teams redesign work processes for optimization, design a computer-based information system documented in a detailed technical design specification, and spend an entire semester developing, testing and implementing their solution, which will be used by their client. CIS students have access to computing labs, including a Cisco lab.

Graduate Outcomes

CIS is one of the few academic disciplines today that can prepare graduates to meet the challenges posed by the widespread outsourcing and offshoring of technical work. The demand for computer professionals equipped with top leadership, project management and interpersonal skills is skyrocketing. CIS graduates have excellent job prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analyst is one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation, with a projected increase from 75,000 positions to 102,500 positions by 2022. Application/software developers can expect a 22.8% increase in the number of positions nationwide, with an average expected salary of $90,060. Other position opportunities for CIS students and average salaries, according to the labor bureau, include database administrators ($77,080); network and computer systems administrators ($72,560); information security analysts ($86,170); and computer systems analysts ($79,680).

Computer Information Systems (B.S.)

Vital Resources

Students are supported by dedicated faculty in the Mathematics, Computer Science and Information Systems Department, who provide excellent teaching and mentoring. Our high-tech classrooms and modern facilities allow many courses to be taught in computer laboratories. We maintain an emphasis on learning technologies that are in demand in the marketplace.

A student checks a server during an internship.

Internships

Once students earn the required number of credits for junior class standing, they are eligible to apply for a computing internship. To date, all CIS internships have been paid positions, averaging 20 hours a week in a CIS-related position; the intership also counts as a three-credit CIS-related elective. Internships help to prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation and are regarded very favorably by employers, some of whom have now made an internship a hiring requirement. Cal U's Internship Center assists our students with internship placements.

Personal Connections

Numerous leading companies, universities, and state and federal agencies hire Cal U CIS graduates. Among them are Booz Allen Hamilton, Caterpillar Inc., Central Intelligence Agency, Deloitte, Dell, FBI, FedEx Ground, Home Depot, Household Finance, Ikon Office Solutions, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, PepsiCo, Siemens, Social Security Administration, U.S. Steel, Verizon Wireless, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. and more.