Computer Information Systems Degree

Common educational programs in computer information systems  include associate and bachelor’s degrees and post-baccalaureate certificates. For associate and bachelor’s degree program admission, applicants will usually need to have a high school diploma, and some schools may require computer proficiency. Post-baccalaureate programs are designed for holders of bachelor’s degrees.In an associate’s degree program, students study programming, database design, Web development and data modeling. Courses will relate to technology and data management and include classroom work and practical training. Upon completion of a program, students are prepared for roles in the information technology (IT) field, such as Web designer or software developer.A bachelor’s degree program will cover computer programming, Web and database design and software development, along with general courses in the humanities and sciences.This degree will qualify students for entry- and mid-level careers or advancement to management.A post-baccalaureate certificate usually take less than a year to earn. In this program, students gain skills in programming, systems and database design and working with IT systems. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared for careers in areas like administration, programming, analysis and management.

Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems

An associate degree in CIS provides students with a solid background in programming, database design, Web development and data modeling. Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce or to transfer credit to a bachelor’s degree program. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years. Schools require applicants to hold a high school diploma or GED and recommend entry-level computer proficiency.

Program Coursework

Associate degree CIS curricula include didactic coursework along with practical laboratory training. Courses introduce a variety of topics related to technology and data management. Specific class topics might include:

1-Computer architecture

2-Computational mathematics

3-Programming languages

4-Database development

5-Computer networking

6-Information systems design

7-Website development

8-Business operations

Popular Career Options

Graduates of associate degree programs qualify for a variety of roles in the information technology (IT) field. Students may seek in the following positions:

1-Web designer

2-Software developer

3-Help desk technician

4-Database designer

5-Data modeler

Top Universities

1-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

2-Stanford University United States

3-University of Oxford United Kingdom

4-Carnegie Mellon University United States

5-University of Cambridge  United Kingdom

6-Harvard University United States

7-University of California, Berkeley (UCB) United States

8-National University of Singapore (NUS) Singapore

9-ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

10-The University of Hong Kong

11-Princeton University United States

12-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

13-The University of Melbourne

14-University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) United States

15-The University of Edinburgh United Kingdom

Career Outlook and Salary Information

Computer information systems careers include a variety of disciplines, such as administration, programming, analysis and management. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  anticipated technical professions would experience good growth potential for the years 2010 through 2020, including a 30% growth for software developers, 18% for computer/information systems managers and 28% for network/computer systems administrators The main driving factor in the industry-wide growth centered on Internet access and security for private corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that median salaries varied as widely as potential professions. Network/computer systems administrators earned a median annual salary of $72,862 in 2012. In the same year, computer information systems managers earned $120,478 as a yearly median wage.