Program Description

The Department of Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Methods offers an intensive program leading to a Certificate in Computer Information Systems (CIS). The program is directed at degree seeking or post baccalaureate students who wish to gain information technology (IT) exposure without having to pursue a full degree program in computer information systems. The primary objective of the program is to offer an option to non-IT professionals and non-CIS majors to develop an initial expertise in the use of information technology in the development of computer-based business information systems. The program should be of interest to students who wish to consider the use of information technology in the development of information systems in their own professional disciplines as well as those seeking a change in their professional careers towards the growing field of computer-based management information systems.  The Certificate in CIS program is offered only in traditional classroom format at the Texas State University - San Marcos. Initially, courses for this program will be offered in the daytime during fall and spring semesters only. 

Program Objectives

The Computer Information Systems (CIS) certificate program focuses on a wide range of IT skills as well as knowledge of computer-based systems design issues that are essential to anyone engaging in the design and implementation of IT solution. The IT skills include: introductory and advanced computer programming, systems analysis and design, database design and implementation, and working knowledge of IT tools to design, develop, and implement e-Business applications.

The primary objectives of the certificate program are:

1. To provide students with an opportunity to acquire a strong background in programming skills in information technology, understanding of the concepts and issues pertaining to systems & database design as well as implementation of a variety of IT systems. More specifically, these skills include:
   • Identification of issues and strategies for designing and implementing computer-based information systems in a variety of computing and business environments, including e-Business, Internet, and intranets.
   • A thorough working knowledge of at least one modern computer programming language, including VB.NET and JAVA.
   • Working knowledge of at least one modern database management system, such as SQL.SERVER, DB2, or ORACLE.
   • Knowledge of systems analysis and design principles;
   • Knowledge of key issues in the design, development, and deployment of e-Business applications.
2. To provide non-CIS majors as well as non-traditional students seeking information technology skills an opportunity to acquire the basic IT foundation so that they may compete for entry-level positions in information technology.

Program Requirements

Enrollment in the Computer Information Systems Certificate program is open to:

• Non-Traditional/Special-Status post baccalaureate students who satisfy Texas State admission requirements.
• Graduate students currently pursuing a master’s degree.
• Undergraduate Non-business majors who have attained junior/senior standing and who are in good academic standing (not on probation) at Texas State.
• Business majors, who have been admitted to the McCoy College of Business Administration, assigned an appropriate major code other than 521 (major code of CIS), and are in good academic standing (not on probation) at Texas State.

Interested students must be enrolled at Texas State University. Non-Texas State students must follow the normal application process to gain admittance to the university before applying for admission to the certificate program.Students must be formally accepted into this program before taking appropriate CIS courses to be applied towards this program. Students who have taken CIS courses without being formally accepted into this program will not be able to count these courses towards the CIS Certificate after the fact.

Students seeking a Certificate in Computer Information Systems must successfully complete eighteen (18) semester hours of course work in information technology (IT). These include twelve (12) semester credit hours of required core CIS courses and six (6) semester credit hours of IT-related elective courses. A list of required and elective courses is presented in Table 1. Table 2 presents a recommended schedule to successfully complete the program.

Table 1: Required Courses for the Certificate Program in CIS: