Computer Information Systems, BS
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Program Description
Mission Statement for the CIS Program
The mission of the Computer Information Systems Program at Stockton University is to provide outstanding undergraduate degrees and courses that are consistent with the missions of the University and the School of Business, and that meet the full range of needs of the students. The Program provides students with an adaptable curriculum and pedagogy that complements the evolution of computer technology and the computing profession so that our graduates will have:
A strong theoretical and application-oriented background across the computer science and information systems disciplines.
Practical skills and experience that enable them to become valuable contributors to their profession.
The ability and motivation to grow professionally and/or to continue their education after graduation.
An understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities.
The capability to apply technology skills and organizational principles to design, implement and manage technological solutions in various domains such as business, health, hospitality, medicine, or entertainment.
The ability to perform effectively in software application development.
Skills such as analytical thinking, decision making, professional communication, system analysis, data analytics, database design, project management, and information security, required to address organizations' strategic goals, day-to-day operations, and regulatory compliance.
The confidence to explore innovative technologies to attain competitive advantage for organizations.
Program Introduction
The software and systems designed and created by Computer Information Systems (CIS) professionals are an integral part of our society and enable the technology we use every day. CIS professionals design, develop, implement, and manage the applications that allow us to connect on Facebook and Twitter, browse the web and shop online, entertain us with games, make online environments safe and secure, keep the Internet running smoothly, analyze the electronic data for effective decision making, etc.
Admission to the Program
The CIS program is open to any student with an active interest in computer information systems opportunities for professional and/or graduate studies. No prior computer experience or prior math background is required.
Students should declare their degree major no later than the end of the sophomore year. Students who transfer 64 credits or more from another institution without having completed the equivalent of Computer Information Systems: An Overview (CIST 2010), Programming in Python (CIST 2110), and System Analysis & Design (CIST 2210) before coming to Stockton should expect to spend more than two years at Stockton to fulfill the requirements for a B.S. in Computer Information Systems.
Program Organization and Graduation Requirements
The Computer Information Systems (CIS) program at Stockton University offers a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. A minor in Computer Information Systems is also available. The CIS degree and minor are discussed below with full curriculum details on the curriculum worksheets found on subsequent pages.
B.S. In Computer Information Systems
The B.S. in Computer Information Systems curriculum has a strong technology focus, while emphasizing areas within which computer information systems are used to support and enable organizational goals. It includes the theory and knowledge of technical skills, business processes and interpersonal behavior, and offers a broad foundation enabling our graduates to adapt and advance in an ever-changing professional environment and workplace.
The B.S. in Computer Information Systems requires 80 credits, as follows:
10 courses in the CIS core (36 credits),
4 courses in the IS Environment (16 credits),
2 Quantitative Analysis courses (8 credits),
4 CIST electives (16 credits), and
1 Cognate course (4 credits). Cognate may include any additional CIST courses. With the approval of the CIS program faculty, students can use CSCI 2102 as cognate. No other courses can be used as cognates.
This degree also requires 48 additional credits in General Studies/At-Some-Distance courses.
Note that a grade of “C or better” is required for courses in the CIS Core, the IS Environment Courses, and for CIST 1206.
Guidelines for Independent Studies
A student who wishes to pursue a specialized project or a research topic for credit that is not covered by established courses may opt to register for an independent study sponsored by a CIS faculty member. The number of credits to be earned is determined in concert with the CIS faculty member sponsoring the independent study. Before the student will be permitted to undertake an independent study, the student must have: a) successfully completed at least 64 credits total, including at least 16 credits of CIST courses; b) successfully completed at least two CIST courses at the 3000 level or above; and c) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and a minimum 2.5 GPA in CIST courses taken at Stockton. The student’s project proposal must include a mapping of project content to the student learning outcomes of the CIS program and approved by the CIS faculty member supervising the independent study.
With a project proposal approved by the CIS program (majority vote of the CIS faculty), to ensure sufficient depth in Computer Information Systems, a student who meets eligibility guidelines mentioned above, may use up to 4 credits of CIST independent study toward the 16 required CIST elective credits. Approval from the CIS program must be obtained prior to the start of the semester of the independent study for it to count as a CIST elective. To allow for sufficient time for the CIS faculty to review the proposal, the student should submit their project proposal by the second precepting day prior to the start of the semester of the independent study. Independent study projects that do not receive such approval of a majority of the CIS faculty count only as a cognate, and not as a CIST elective.
Guidelines for Internships
An internship involves program-related employment, paid or non-paid. Typically, internships involve partnerships with area and regional organizations. As an intern, a student will work for an employer outside of the academic setting in a carefully designed CIS related learning experience involving a supervisor at the internship site and a CIS faculty member. An internship will help students connect their academic coursework to professional settings, get “real-world” work experience for a resume. and facilitate potential career opportunities. CIST internships last a full semester, can be for up to 4 credits, and can count as a CIS cognate.
For the internship to be approved for credit, the student must submit a proposal to the CIS faculty for their approval and sponsorship, signed by the prospective employer and specifying the scope and expectations involved in the internship. The student’s proposal must include a mapping of internship scope and goals to the student learning outcomes of the CIST program and specific tasks to be carried out during the internship to achieve those goals.
A student, having the sponsorship of a CIS faculty member, must indicate to the Assistant Dean of the School of Business their intention to pursue an internship for credit, and submit all necessary paperwork to the School of Business at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester of the internship. The student must have a) successfully completed at least 64 credits total, including at least 16 credits of CIST courses; b) successfully completed at least two CIST courses at the 3000 level or above; and c) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and a minimum 2.5 GPA in CIST courses taken at Stockton.
During the internship, the student must submit to the CIS faculty sponsor, on a regular basis, signed progress reports confirmed by the employer.
At the end of the internship the student must submit to the CIS faculty sponsor a culminating project describing what was learned and accomplished as a result of the internship. The student must also have the completed Employer Evaluation Form directly sent by the supervisor to the faculty sponsor.
CIS majors have completed internships with various government and private organizations, including Atlantic County Utilities Authority, Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center, Google, Ground Swell IT Services, Lockheed Martin, and Spencer. The Washington Internship program can also be appropriate for CIS students.
No more than 4 CIST internship credits will be accepted toward the degree. CIST internship credits count only as cognates and cannot be used in place of any specific CIST course and cannot be used as a CIST elective.
Specialized Areas of Interest
Information Assurance and Security
The extensive dependence on computers and networks by individuals, industry and government organizations has produced a critical need to make these systems secure and to ensure their availability. Consequently, Information Assurance and Security (IAS) has become a rapidly growing, high-priority field with excellent career opportunities for researchers, instructors, and practitioners. The CIS program at Stockton offers a rich set of courses and experiences to provide students with the foundation for professional employment and graduate level study in IAS. Students interested in IAS should consider the following as electives and cognates:
CIST 3381 - Information Assurance and Security (4 credits)
CIST 3430 - Network & System Administration (4 credits)
CIST 3450 - Business Intelligence (4 credits)
CIST 3481 - Digital Forensics (4 credits)
CIST 4800/4900 - Independent Study (Senior Project) / Internship
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
The use of technologies and information systems has spawned a sea of data residing in the corners of almost every organization. Professionals in a broad range of disciplines collect, use, and analyze data in their fields to decipher the patterns and make well-informed business decisions. The business intelligence and data analytics skills are high in-demand and provide excellent opportunities for researchers and practitioners. The CIS program at Stockton offers a rich set of courses and experiences to provide students with the foundation for professional employment and graduate level study in Data Analytics & Business Intelligence. Students interested in Data Analytics and Business Intelligence should consider the following as electives / cognates:
CIST 3240 - Enterprise Resource Planning (4 credits)
CIST 3450 - Business Intelligence (4 credits)
CIST 3470 - Application Development (4 credits)
CIST 4223 - Advanced Database (4 credits)
CIST 4800/4900 - Independent Study (Senior Project) / Internship
Course Sequencing and Schedule Planning
CIS majors must carefully plan their course work to meet the prerequisite requirements of CIST courses, and to complete an appropriate selection of General Studies topics and course attribute requirements. Only a limited selection of CIST courses are offered at night, and only a limited selection of CIST courses are offered online. To complete the requirements for a CIS degree, students will need to schedule most of their program courses during the day.
Students, unable for any reason to take a prescribed course in the regular semester, have the responsibility to take the course later. Students should not expect a waiver for the course at a subsequent date, nor should they expect that the course will be offered at an unusual time to meet personal needs.
Note that Computer Information Systems: An Overview (CIST 2010), Programming in Python (CIST 2110), and System Analysis & Design (CIST 2210) are pre-requisites for many junior/senior level CIST courses and should be completed no later than the sophomore year. Students who do not complete CIST 2010, CIST 2110, and CIST 2210 by the end of the sophomore year may need more than four years to fulfill the requirements for the degree.
Students should also understand that it is their responsibility to make certain that their academic records are in proper order at the time they apply for the bachelor’s degree.
Graduation with Distinction
A bachelor’s degree with distinction in Computer Information Systems is awarded to students graduating with a GPA of at least 3.75 in Stockton CIST 3000/4000 - level courses.
Career Opportunities
Professional opportunities in Computer Information Systems continue to increase at a rapid pace. The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics states overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 15 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. A sampling of career opportunities for those with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems includes the following:
Computer & Information Systems Managers
Computer Network Architects
Computer Support Specialists
Computer Systems Analysts
Cybersecurity Professionals
Database Administrators
Data Analysts
Information Security Analysts
Network & Systems Administrators
Software Developers, Analysts, and Testers
Application (App) Software & Web Developers
The CIS program provides courses of study to prepare students for these occupations. Graduates of the CIS program have been successful in a wide range of professional areas including cybersecurity, data analytics, IT consulting, IT support, and graduate studies.
Graduate School Opportunities
The B.S. in Computer Information Systems also prepares students interested in pursuing graduate-level degrees to further their education. Many Stockton CIST alumni have pursued advanced degrees at prestigious institutions like Drexel University, Naval Postgraduate School, NJIT, North-Eastern University, and Stevens Institute of Technology, among others.
The Computer Information Systems degree and the curriculum worksheets can be accessed on the Computer Information Systems website.
