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An Online Information Systems degree ideals with students with an interest in computer science, business, and information technology—and who want to explore the exciting possibilties that are emerging where these subjects overlap.
The IS major is the perfect place for you if you are passionate about using technology for positive gains across society, both economic and humanistic.
This field is an integral aspect of most modern companies. There are many high-paying career paths you can pursue with the knowledge and skills you can acquire from an information systems major.
Online Information Systems Degrees
If you want to go into online information systems for your bachelors degree, there are a few different options you can choose from. Below are some of the most common online information systems degrees.
Select the program that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
- Management Information Systems
- Information Systems Security
Regardless of the specialty you select, you will still receive a strong foundation in business administration and related courses.
Management Information Systems
A management information systems degree program allows students to take classes in both business and management.
This program can help students understand how individuals and companies use data to inform as well as improve the decision-making process. Management information systems play a huge role in companies’ operations.
As a management information systems professional, you may bridge the gap between business, people, and technology. You may do this by working with employees, key stakeholders, and technology as well as by analyzing solutions that continue to meet the business’s goals.
Courses in management information systems may include topics such as database design, programming, and data analysis. Much of the coursework is business-related, with courses such as finance, accounting, leadership, management principles, customer service, and project management.
With an MIS degree, your career opportunities may include computer network architect, systems analyst, and database administrator.
Information Systems Security
A Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security is focused on practical training. Courses may mostly involve science, computer engineering, computer and technology security, communications, and troubleshooting. When obtaining a degree in information systems security, it can help to understand complex technology.
A degree in information systems security can lead to various career options. You may become a computer programmer, management information systems director, computer support specialist, or computer systems analyst. With technology growing every year, the need for experts in information systems security continues to grow.
Information Systems Careers & Salaries
A high-paying job opportunity in this field is that of a computer and information systems manager. In this role, you may oversee computer-related activities in an organization, and you may plan, coordinate, and direct those aspects.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are various career paths you can pursue with a degree in online information systems.
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $151,150 |
| Computer Network Architect | $116,780 |
| Software Developer | $110,140 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,590 |
| Database Administrator | $98,860 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,730 |
| Computer Programmer | $89,190 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $84,810 |
| Web Developer | $77,200 |
| Computer Support Specialist | $55,510 |
The employment for computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 10% in the next ten years, which is much higher than the average overall job growth rate.
Information Systems Curriculum & Courses
If you decide earn a bachelors in online information systems, some courses that you take may include:
- Information Systems: This course teaches about the complementary networks of hardware and software that people and organizations use. These networks process, create, filter, collect, and distribute data.
- Principles of Computing: This course teaches the essential ideas of computer science. It is a core level course for students with no prior experience.
- Reasoning with Data: You’ll learn how to make statistical decisions and reason with data. The course may emphasize thinking through an empirical problem using statistical tools.
- Math: Math is likely a basic level requirement for this major. The type of math course you take can vary depending on where you are.
- Computing: This course will give you practical skills in designing websites, software, or computer systems.
- Database Design and Development: You’ll learn how to prepare a database from scratch and how to make a better database using the standard industry principles.
- Web Technologies: This course covers the development of web applications, including cloud-based applications for handling business transactions and strategies.
- Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science: This course is a technical introduction to the fundamentals of programming. It focuses on producing efficient and clear code. You learn how to do so using analysis, design, testing, and debugging.
- Application Design and Development: This course teaches you how to program, test, and implement an application for a business’s needs.
- Quantitative Analysis: In this course, you can learn how to use mathematical and statistical modeling, research, and measurement to understand a particular substance in a sample.
This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other courses you may take throughout your undergraduate education. This list is simply meant to give you an idea of some of the coursework you may encounter during your program.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements vary from one program to another, but the following are some common requirements:
- SAT or the ACT scores, if required
- Letters of recommendation
- High school diploma
If you are interested in enrolling at a specific college or university, you can contact their admissions office or check their website to see what their admissions requirements are.
Accreditation
When deciding what college or university program to enroll in, accreditation status is a factor you may want to consider.
Regional accreditation is the official recognition that a school or program meets a certain standard of academic excellence. Accreditation also ensures that employers and other institutions will recognize and respect the degree that you earn.
A college’s website should display information on whether or not it is an accredited school. You can also reference the directory of accredited organizations that are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Financial Aid and Scholarships
If you qualify, financial aid may help you save on the cost of a degree. There are a few different options you can look into for financial help:
- Federal aid: The federal government has federal aid options available for students who qualify. To apply and find out if you qualify, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- State aid: Most states have a grant or scholarship available to residents along with student aid programs.
- Scholarships: Many programs have scholarships available to students who qualify. Some of them are need-based while others are merit-based. A school’s website or an advisor in the admissions office can help guide you to any available scholarships.
These options may help make your bachelors degree program more affordable if you qualify.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Information System Degree Online?
How long it takes to get a bachelors degree depends on the type of program you enroll in as well as whether you are a full-time or part-time student.
If you follow a traditional, 16 week semester and attend full-time, it will often take 4 years to earn a bachelors degree. If you follow an 8 week semester and stay continuously enrolled year-round, you may finish in less time.
What Is an Information Systems Degree?
An information systems degree covers a variety of business disciplines. This degree allows students to gain an understanding of the effective use of information technology in business and other organizational settings.
This field bridges business with computer science. An information systems degree will teach you about the systems, people, and processes designed to create, manipulate, store, disseminate, and distribute information.
Is Information Systems a Good Major?
Information systems is a major that opens up many career possibilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% job growth in computer and information technology occupations for the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Those who work in information systems often have an interest in computers, technology, systems, and applications and apply them to business. There are a wide range of career options as well, such as a computer systems analyst, database administrator, computer programmer, and web developer.
Is Information Systems Hard?
The difficulty level of an information systems major will often depend on your skills and interests. Information systems is a business and technology degree, and the curriculum reflects that.
Courses will likely involve business, technology, math, software, and applications. If you’re interested in these topics and would enjoy learning more about them, then information systems may be a major for you to consider.
Is Information Systems a STEM Major?
Yes, information systems is a STEM major. STEM majors include any majors that involve science, technology, engineering, or math.
Information systems can encompass most of those areas. It specifically involves technology, and you may have math and engineering as part of your coursework as well.
What Can You Do with a Degree?
There are many career paths that you can pursue with an information systems degree. You may have a career in software development, computer programming, database administration, computer hardware engineering, web development, and computer and information systems management.
These are just a few of the job options you may have with an information systems degree. In addition to working, some students continue their education in graduate school, first earning a masters and then perhaps a PhD in Information Systems online, though some students prefer traditional classroom learning.
What Is the Difference Between a Bachelors in Information Systems vs. Computer Science?
Computer science degrees focus on computers. As a computer science major, you’d learn about subjects such as programming data structures, hardware, and algorithms.
The focus for a computer information systems degree is on the hardware and how to work with it. The curriculum for computer information systems, or a CIS degree, centers around computers and coding.
The major difference is in the application. With an information systems degree, there is more focus on how to apply technology to business.
What Is the Difference Between a BS in Information Systems vs. Information Technology?
Both of these fields deal with computers, but a degree in information technology (IT) focuses more on data. The coursework of an IT degree is built on storing, collecting, accessing, and protecting that data.
Information technology is a subset of information systems that incorporates the technology, people, and processes involved with information. IT professionals focus more on the hardware while information systems professionals integrate the technology with other systems.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, an information systems degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 11% job growth in computer and information technology occupations over the next 10 years.
Common careers in this field for those with an information systems degree include database administrator, computer programmer, software developer, computer systems analyst, computer and information systems manager, and computer network architect.
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