CIS Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems

The mission of the BS in Computer Information Systems in the School of Business at Northwestern State is to prepare our diverse student population for careers as information systems and technology professionals in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, and/or the advancement into graduate programs. This purpose will be met by providing quality online and face-to-face business and technology instruction and academic support with high academic standards, superior teaching, quality research, significant service, and effective use of technology for the citizens of our region. Students in the BS in Computer Information Systems program learn business and technology skills. On the technology side, students learn foundational skills in programming, database systems, hardware/networking, web development, and systems development. Students then choose to specialize in areas such as Application Development, Web Development, Networking & Systems Management, and Cyber Security.

Computer Information Systems Major Requirements: (80 semester hours) Students seeking a major in Computer Information Systems must complete 80 semester hours, within the 120-semester hour Computer Information Systems curriculum consisting of a CIS core, composed of: CIS 1015, 1030, 2980, 3020, 3900, and 4600 and one of the four available 27 hour concentrations described below. Additionally, the following CIS support courses are required: ACCT 2000 and 2010; BUAD 2120, 2200, 3270, 3280, 4900; CIS 1090; FIN 3090; MGT 3220, 3580; and MKTG 3230.

Available Concentrations:

Application Development (102A): (27 semester hours) CIS 3300, 3970, 4000, 4020, either CIS 2040 or CIS 4060, and 4 CIS electives (12 semester hours) from any CIS class, except CIS 1010, 1060, 2000, 3050, 3100, and 4050.

Cyber Security (102G): (27 semester hours) CIS 2080, 2090, 3400, 3410, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4040, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class, except CIS 1010, 1060, 2000, 3050, 3100, and 4050.

Information Systems Management (102H): (27 semester hours) CIS 4840, 4850,4930; FIN 4220; 1 class from CIS 3300, 4000,4910; 1 class from CIS 4020,4070,4900; 1 class from BUAD 3120, CIS 3970, MGT 4500; and 2 CIS electives (6 semester hours) from any CIS class, except CIS 1010, 1060, 2000, 3050, 3100, and 4050.

Networking & System Management (102D): (27 semester hours) CIS 2080, 2090, 3400, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4080, 4220, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class, except CIS 1010, 1060, 2000, 3050, 3100, and 4050.

Computer Information Systems Minor Requirements: CIS 1015; Select one from CIS 1030 or CSC 1060; CIS 2980; Select three from BUAD 4800, CIS 2040, 2080, 2090, 2100, 3020, 3300, 3400, 3980, 3410, 3700, 3800, 3900, 3970, 3980, 4000, 4030, 4040, 4060, 4070, 4080, 4100, 4220, 4230, 4600; ART 1010, 2560, CSC 2060.

Available Forms:
CIS Fall 2023 Curriculum
CIS Fall 2023 Minor

Computer Information Systems Major Requirements: (80 semester hours) Students seeking a major in Computer Information Systems must complete 80 semester hours, within the 120 semester hour Computer Information Systems curriculum consisting of a CIS core, composed of: CIS 1015, 1030, 2980, 3020, 3900, and 4600 and one of the four available 27 hour concentrations described below. Additionally, the following CIS support courses are required: ACCT 2000 and 2010; BUAD 2120, 2200, 3270, 3280, 4900; CIS 1090; FIN 3090; MGT 3220, 3580; and MKTG 3230.

Available Concentrations:

Application Development (102A): (27 semester hours) CIS 3300, 3970, 4000, 4020, either CIS 2040 or CIS 4060, and 4 CIS electives (12 semester hours) from any CIS class, except CIS 1010, 1060, 2000, 3050, 3100, and 4050.

Cyber Security (102G): (27 semester hours) CIS 2080, 2090, 3400, 3410, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4040, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class, except CIS 1010, 1060, 2000, 3050, 3100, and 4050.

Information Systems Management (102H): (27 semester hours) CIS 4840, 4850,4930; FIN 4220; 1 class from CIS 3300, 4000,4910; 1 class from CIS 4020,4070,4900; 1 class from BUAD 3120, CIS 3970, MGT 4500; and 2 CIS electives (6 semester hours) from any CIS class, except CIS 1010, 1060, 2000, 3050, 3100, and 4050.

Networking & System Management (102D): (27 semester hours) CIS 2080, 2090, 3400, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4080, 4220, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class, except CIS 1010, 1060, 2000, 3050, 3100, and 4050.

Computer Information Systems Minor Requirements: CIS 1015; Select one from CIS 1030 or CSC 1060; CIS 2980; Select three from BUAD 4800, CIS 2040, 2050, 2100, 3020, 3300, 3400, 3980, 3410, 3700, 3800, 3900, 3970, 3980, 4000, 4030, 4040, 4060, 4070, 4080, 4100, 4220, 4230, 4600; ART 1010, 2560, CSC 2060.

Available Forms:
CIS Fall 2022 Curriculum
CIS Fall 2022 Minor

Computer Information Systems Major Requirements: : (80 semester hours) Students seeking a major in Computer Information Systems must complete 80 semester hours, within the 120 semester hour Computer Information Systems curriculum consisting of a CIS core, composed of: CIS 1015, 1030, 2980, 3020, 3900, and 4600 and one of the four available 24 hour concentrations described below. Additionally, the following CIS support courses are required: ACCT 2000 and 2010; BUAD 1800,2120, 2200, 3270, 3280, 4900; CIS 2000; FIN 3090; MGT 3220, 3580; and MKTG 3230.

Available CIS Concentrations:

Application Development (102A): (24 semester hours) CIS 2050, 3300, 3970, 4000, 4020, 4030, 2040 or 4060, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Networking & System Management (102D): CIS 2050, 3400, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4080, 4220, and 4230.

Web Development (102E): (24 semester hours) CIS 2050; 3300; 3970; 4030; 4100; 6 hours from ART 2560, 3410, 3560, 3810, 3960, 4560, 4610, 4960, CIS 4000, 4060; and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Cyber Security (102G): CIS 2050, 3400, 3410, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4040, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Available Forms:
CIS Fall 2021 Curriculum
CIS Fall 2021 Minor Requirements

Computer Information Systems Major Requirements: : (80 semester hours) Students seeking a major in Computer Information Systems must complete 80 semester hours, within the 120 semester hour Computer Information Systems curriculum consisting of a CIS core, composed of: CIS 1015, 1030, 2980, 3020, 3900, and 4600 and one of the four available 24 hour concentrations described below. Additionally, the following CIS support courses are required: ACCT 2000 and 2010; BUAD 1800,2120, 2200, 3270, 3280, 4900; CIS 2000; FIN 3090; MGT 3220, 3580; and MKTG 3230.

Available CIS Concentrations:

Application Development (102A): (24 semester hours) CIS 2050, 3300, 3970, 4000, 4020, 4030, 2040 or 4060, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Networking & System Management (102D): CIS 2050, 3400, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4080, 4220, and 4230.

Web Development (102E): (24 semester hours) CIS 2050; 3300; 3970; 4030; 4100; 6 hours from ART 2560, 3410, 3560, 3810, 3960, 4560, 4610, 4960, CIS 4000, 4060; and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Cyber Security (102G): CIS 2050, 3400, 3410, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4040, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Available Forms:
CIS Fall 2020 Curriculum
CIS Fall 2020 Minor Requirements

Curriculum Effective Fall 2019:

Computer Information Systems Major Requirements: : (80 semester hours) Students seeking a major in Computer Information Systems must complete 80 semester hours, within the 120 semester hour Computer Information Systems curriculum consisting of a CIS core, composed of: CIS 1015, 1030, 2980, 3020, 3900, and 4600 and one of the four available 24 hour concentrations described below. Additionally, the following CIS support courses are required: ACCT 2000 and 2010; BUAD 1800,2120, 2200, 3270, 3280, 4900; CIS 2000; FIN 3090; MGT 3220, 3580; and MKTG 3230.

Available CIS Concentrations:

Application Development (102A): (24 semester hours) CIS 2050, 3300, 3970, 4000, 4020, 4030, 2040 or 4060, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Networking & System Management (102D): CIS 2050, 3400, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4080, 4220, and 4230.

Web Development (102E): (24 semester hours) CIS 2050; 3300; 3970; 4030; 4100; 6 hours from ART 2560, 3410, 3560, 3810, 3960, 4560, 4610, 4960, CIS 4000, 4060; and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Cyber Security (102G): CIS 2050, 3400, 3410, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4040, and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Available Forms:
CIS Fall 2019 Curriculum
CIS Fall 2019 Minor Requirements

Computer Information Systems Major Requirements: : (80 semester hours) Students seeking a major in Computer Information Systems must complete 80 semester hours, within the 120 semester hour Computer Information Systems curriculum consisting of a CIS core, composed of: CIS 1015, 1030, 2980, 3020, 3900, and 4600 and one of the four available 24 hour concentrations described below. Additionally, the following CIS support courses are required: ACCT 2000 and 2010; BUAD 1800,2120, 2200, 3270, 3280, 4900; CIS 2000; FIN 3090; MGT 3220, 3580; and MKTG 3230.

Available CIS Concentrations:

Application Development (102A): (24 semester hours) CIS 2050, 3300, 3970, 4000, 4020, 4030, 4060 and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Core Programming: (102F): (24 semester hours) CIS 2020, 2050, 2100, 3000, 3300, 3970, 4020, and 4030.

Networking & System Management (102D): CIS 2050, 3400, 3700, 3800, 3980, 4080, 4220, and 4230.

Web Development (102E): (24 semester hours) CIS 2050, 3300, 3970, 4000, 4030, 4060, 4100 and 1 CIS elective (3 semester hours) from any CIS class except CIS 1010, CIS 1060, CIS 3050, CIS 3100, and CIS 4050.

Cyber Security (102G): CIS 2050, 3400, 3410, 3700, 3800, 3970, 3980, and 4040

Available Forms:
CIS Fall 2018 Curriculum
CIS Fall 2018 Minor Requirements

Previous Curricula

MS in Computer Information Systems Requirements

The MS in Computer Information Systems will provide students the opportunity to understand and apply different topics within the computer information systems field. The goal is for students to gain an in-depth knowledge of concepts within different computer information systems areas, learn how these topics relate to the success of organizations, and learn how to implement an organization’s mission. Students will choose elective courses allowing them to focus on areas most pertinent to their career goals. Finally, students will show mastery of information technology concepts through a research project or thesis.

MS in Computer Information Systems Requirements:

Foundations: (18 semester hours) Computer Information Systems 5100 – Advanced Cyber Security, 5200 – Strategic Data Management and Analysis, 5450 – Strategic Information Systems Project Management, 5550 – Applied Project Management, 5600 – Strategic Application of Enterprise Software, and one of 5300 – Advanced Data Communication Systems or 5400 – Algorithm Analysis and Design

Electives: (9 semester hours) Three of Computer Information Systems 5300 – Advanced Data Communication Systems (if not taken for Foundations), 5400 – Algorithm Analysis and Design (if not taken for Foundations), 5810 – Emerging Technologies and Human Computer Interaction Design, 5820 – Advanced Mobile Development, 5830 – Information Assurance, or 5840 – Decision Support Systems

Application Area: (6 semester hours) Computer Information Systems 5900 – Research Methods in Computer Information Systems, 5950 – Research Project and/or Thesis

Admission Requirements for MS in Computer Information Systems:

Admission to the program requires the following items:

1) Bachelor’s Degree from Regionally Accredited College/University (please see note below)

2) Official Transcripts from All Colleges/Universities Attended

3) Two Letters of Recommendation

4) Either a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 OR a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 and one of the following:
– GRE score of 280 (verbal plus quantitative) or equivalent GMAT score
– Two to three-page essay on experience in information systems field and why the student is an appropriate fit for the Northwestern State Computer Information Systems program. Format should be Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, and APA style.
While any bachelor’s degree will help a student gain admission to the program, the MS in Computer Information Systems does require specific content knowledge. This content knowledge can be met through prior undergraduate courses or work experience. To determine whether you have the required prerequisite classes or content knowledge, please contact the CIS area at cis@nsula.edu for a review of your information and a determination of whether you have to take any prerequisite classes.

Content knowledge would include basic programming knowledge (as covered in CIS 1030), basic hardware/networking/security knowledge (as covered in CIS 2080 & CIS2090), relational database knowledge (as covered in CIS 2980), and statistical knowledge (as covered in BUAD2120). Depending on the choice of course, a students may also need intermediate object-oriented programming knowledge (as covered in CIS 3300), advanced object-oriented programming knowledge (as covered in CIS 4020), and/or networking and telecommunications knowledge (as covered in CIS 3400).

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTICE: The MS in CIS is an all online program. The program is not offered in the traditional classroom format. The program does not meet the requirements to issue a student visa to study in the US.