NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is accepting applications for its new Master of Science in Computer Information Systems. The program was approved in August by the State Board of Regents.

The 33-hour degree program will start in the Fall 2020 semester and will be offered completely online, the only program of its type offered by a public college or university in Louisiana. Students will take nine required classes along with two electives.

“The area of information systems is a growing need for Louisiana and the nation,” said Coordinator of Computer Information Systems Curtis Penrod. “Areas such as cyber security and data analytics are experiencing huge growth resulting in large workforce demands. This graduate degree will allow students to enhance their skills in information systems areas and support the growth of the information systems industry in Louisiana.”

Prospective students can apply by going to applyweb.com/nsula/index.ftl  and clicking on “Application for Admission to Graduate School, United States and International Students.”

This will be the first graduate program offered by the NSU School of Business in more than 30 years.

The required classes are advanced cyber security, strategic data management and analysis, strategic information systems project management, applied project management, strategic application of enterprise software, research methods in computer information systems and research project and/or thesis.

The elective choices are advanced data communication systems, data structures and algorithm analysis, emerging technologies and human-computer interaction, advanced mobile development, information assurance and decision support systems.

The master’s program will build on Northwestern State’s nationally recognized bachelor’s program in computer information systems. Enrollment in the program has nearly doubled over the past five years to approximately 300 with the assistance of a grant from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and GDIT. New concentrations in application development, networking and systems management, web development, core programming and cyber security have been added. The program has been ranked first in the nation by bestcollegereviews.org. Students in the undergraduate program have won 17 national championships since 2000 at the Association of Information Technology Professionals National Collegiate Conference.

For more information on the program, contact cis@nsula.edu.