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on-campus master's degree of computer information systems

Prepares you for an advanced career in information systems by blending foundational Information Technology skills with foundational managerial competencies.
Spring term classes start March.

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$680 per credit hour.
36 total credit hours.

acquire tech skills that can define your career in information systems.

The marketplace for technology professionals is competitive and always evolving. Bellevue University provides an MS-CIS degree program designed with input from, and taught by, industry professional experts and made for the growing marketplace. This master’s in computer information systems integrates theory with applied learning that will not only give you the hands-on knowledge you need to advance your degree, but also to compete and succeed at the career you want.

Choose a CIS concentration that sets you apart.

A master’s degree is one thing—a master’s degree that provides you with marketable, specialized knowledge is another. When you enroll in the MS in computer information systems, you have the option to choose from four concentrations that align your learning with your personal career goals: Database, Software Development, Data Science, or Cybersecurity.

Simplified admission—no GMAT or GRE required to enter the MS-CIS.

Select a career-focused degree program without the cost and hassle of admissions tests. Our admissions team is here to help you apply and enroll so you can get started quickly on the education you want.

what you'll learn.

In this program, you’ll learn to bridge technology and business by designing, managing, and communicating effective IT solutions that meet real-world organizational needs.

upon graduation, students will be able to:
  • Apply communication and interpersonal skills to translate technical information in order to align computer information systems and tools with stakeholder goals.
  • Apply knowledge gained in the curriculum to projects targeted to real-world problems.
  • Analyze technical aspects of IT projects and apply project management strategies to meet stakeholder business needs.
  • Apply core aspects of IT principles and tools to the development of applications and administration of computing systems.
  • Differentiate IT infrastructure and administrative systems solutions to meet desired business needs.
Take the next step to advance your career.

Awards

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Bellevue Stories
Problem-solvers, analytical thinkers and anyone who desires to help an organization improve processes and achieve business goals with technology solutions this degree is perfect for them.
Jason Ferguson, Faculty

Computer Information Systems degree courses

Current students please login to BRUIN and select “Academic Progress” for your curriculum requirements.

Prerequisites

All MSCIS students are required to have taken MA 215 Applied Statistics or equivalent AND CIS 245 Introduction to Programming or CSD 320 Programming in Java or equivalent.

NOTE: MSCIS students can choose to have MA 215 Applied Statistics waived by taking the ALEKS placement exam and receiving a score of 76 or higher. MSCIS students ONLY – can take MA 215 Applied Statistics without completing the prerequisite of MA 101 Intermediate Algebra or the ALEKS placement exam.

Requirements (36 credit hours)

Core (27 credit hours)

Students must successfully complete CIS 515, CIS 519, and CIS 521 prior to taking CIS 600 level courses.

This course focuses on the fundamentals of telecommunications including data, voice, image, and video formats. Coverage includes the concepts, models, architectures, protocols, standards, and security for the design, implementation, and management of digital networks. Emphasis is on the IT infrastructure to serve organizational needs in a rapidly changing competitive and technological environment.

This course provides an introduction to the strategic use of information technology from a business perspective at the enterprise level. Emphasis is placed on the internal management of information systems services from the point of view of the Chief Information Officer. Alternative strategies and tactics available to management to achieve business goals are examined.

This course introduces the skills, techniques, tools and methodologies necessary to support information system analysis, design and implementation.

The major focus of this course will be the relational, dimensional and NoSQL models. Topics include relational and dimensional modeling, business intelligence, NoSQL databases and their application, SQL, application development using databases and emerging trends. Students will prepare a small application using a commercial database management system.

This course focuses on the architecture and security associated with cloud computing. Emphasis in placed on key drivers which lead to cloud computing adoption and issues associated with cloud computing governance. Additional topics will include infrastructure security, identity and access management, cloud services, data security and storage, and auditing and compliance.

This course examines the software development process, including the design and analysis of algorithms, programming concepts, and software development methods and tools. Current software development methodologies are introduced, with emphasis on foundational principles of software development. Topics are covered with consideration to platform-independence.

Data storage systems play a critical role in the IT Infrastructure. This course provides coverage of physical, cloud, converged, and virtual server storage technologies. Topics include storage architectures, storage networking, resource management, economics, replication, backup and recovery, and security. Virtual labs throughout the course provide additional opportunities for applied learning.

This course covers the theory and practice of software testing. Emphasis is placed on the software testing design process, planning, criteria, evaluation and testing methods. Hands-on practice developing and using test plans based on various testing techniques is included.

This course addresses the complex and unique issues related to effectively managing projects in an Information Technology context. Focus is placed on processes, teams, technology, and global project management. The course is grounded on the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge principles. Students will prepare project management deliverables based on actual problems provided within various business sectors and industries. The course provides students with an understanding of the problems inherent in managing integration, scope, schedule, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, procurement, and stakeholders.

Concentration (9 credit hours)

Choose one concentration area from the following:

Database Concentration

The subject of database management will be approached in its role as the back end of client/server technology. The focus will be relational database management with specific emphasis given to the use of relational database as an enabling technology in the area of Online Transaction Processing and Online Analytical processing. The use of SQL query language will be a second significant subject. Issues of databases including concurrency will also be covered. Prerequisite: CIS 535

This course introduces the design, best practices and engineering of data integration artifacts within the context of a data warehouse environment. Data integration design using both structured and unstructured data will be presented. Design patterns, error management, scalability, dynamic execution and deployment of data integration artifacts will be discussed and developed. A Data Mart using a Commercial Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) System will be engineered as a part of this course. Prerequisite: CIS 535

This capstone course encompasses and consolidates the concepts covered in the Computer Information Systems curriculum, with a significant project focused on the technical and professionals skills developed throughout the CIS Core and Database concentration courses. Capstone course projects will provide students with the opportunity to identify, research, develop, implement, and evaluate solutions to targeted, real-world problems. Prerequisite: CIS 605 and CIS 616 unless PD approval for concurrent enrollment.

Software Development Concentration

This course is designed to teach principles of Object-Oriented (OO) programming using Java. Topics include the language syntax, OO concepts, and advanced features of the Java programming language. Topics include inheritance, polymorphisms, abstracts, exception handling, basic input and output. Students will gain an understanding of how to use good security practices in developing software.

This course introduces principles of programming for the World Wide Web (WWW) using Java technologies. The Java Spring and Spring Boot frameworks governing these principles will be examined in detail. Students will develop applications that utilize internal and external web services that call and listen for requests over the internet. Prerequisites: CIS 505 Intermediate Java Programming

This capstone course encompasses and consolidates the concepts covered in the Computer Information Systems curriculum, with a significant project focused on the technical and professionals skills developed throughout the CIS Core and Software Development concentration courses. Capstone course projects will provide students with the opportunity to identify, research, develop, implement, and evaluate solutions to targeted, real-world problems. Prerequisites: CIS 505 and CIS 530 unless PD approval for concurrent enrollment.

Data Science Concentration

Choose 3 of the following:

This course introduces complex techniques needed for profiling and exploring data. Students use programming and statistics-based inference to ask and answer insightful questions of data. Prerequisite: Recommend DSC 510 and DSC 520

Much like life, the data humans produce is infinitely variable in its structure, presentation, and scale. This course prepares students for this infinite variety of data. Students use Python, SQL, and other tools to acquire, prepare, clean, and automate dataset creation. Prerequisite: DSC 510 or equivalent and recommend DSC 530

Data scientists should be great storytellers, whether using visual, text, or other means. In this course, students explore the basic storytelling components of data science and apply them to different types of data for different types of clients and audiences. Presentation techniques, language use for different audiences, and visualization tools techniques are included. Prerequisite: Recommend DSC 630

This course covers the fundamentals of data infrastructure and how technologies fit together to form a process, or pipeline, to refine data into usable datasets. This course focuses on building a predictive modeling pipeline used by the various types of projects that are called, “big data.” Prerequisite: Recommend DSC 540

Cybersecurity Concentration

Choose 3 of the following:

This course is designed as an overview of the investigative methods and tools associated with computer forensics. Topics include: processing crime and incident scenes, digital evidence controls, recovery of information, network forensics, data acquisition, and legal and ethical issues associated with investigations.

This course is designed as an overview of the fundamental processes associated with waging war in an electronic age. Topics include strategic planning and tactical analysis for target identification, reconnaissance, and tool selection. The intent of this course is to focus on individual, corporate and national forms of warfare.

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental components of security architecture. Topics include computer organization; hardware, software and firmware components; open and distributed systems; and protection mechanisms. Discussion also includes certification and accreditation; formal security models; and evaluation criteria. Assigned projects include designing a model secure system.

This course provides a technical study of offensive and defensive techniques for protecting cyber assets. Topics include security testing, risk mitigation techniques, and threat response. Discussion also includes penetration testing theory, techniques, and tools; networks, systems, and application vulnerability scanning; risk analysis and response; and intrusion detection and response. Emphasis is placed on identification of system vulnerabilities and threats and techniques for preventing attacks.

Note: CIS 698 may be used to fulfill any degree requirement either in the core or in a concentration. It may only be used once to fulfill a degree requirement, and must be approved by the program director and Dean.

This course provides an opportunity for students to expand their learning by gaining new skills and experiences in the workplace. Program Director and Dean approval is required prior to enrolling in the course and any CPT activities must comply with other eligibility requirements.

36

Major Requirements Credits

= 36 total credits*

University Accreditation

Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission ( hlcommission.org ), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important to students receiving financial aid, employers who provide tuition assistance, donors, and the federal government.

Accreditation Information

This program is considered a non-licensure degree/certificate program and is not intended for those seeking licensure or the practice of licensed profession. This program may be relevant to multiple occupations that do not require licensure and was not designed to meet educational requirements for any specific professional license or certification.

*Consult with an admissions counselor to determine your eligible credits, as well as to verify minimum graduation requirements for this degree. Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Bellevue University makes no promises to prospective students regarding the acceptance of credit awarded by examination, credit for prior learning, or credit for transfer until an evaluation has been conducted.

learn, connect, and thrive on campus.

Get the full college experience with in-person classes that fit your schedule. At our main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, you’ll learn in a traditional classroom setting with expert professors, hands-on collaboration, and real connections with classmates. Plus, with flexible class times, you’ll have time to focus on your studies while still enjoying everything campus life has to offer.
Vibrant campus life

Make the most of your time on campus with student organizations, athletic events, and a tight-knit community that makes learning even more rewarding.

A true classroom experience

Engage in face-to-face learning with live lectures, interactive discussions, and real-time feedback from professors who are invested in your success.

Support every step of the way

From academic advising to career services, you’ll have a network of support to help you thrive.

State-of-the-art facilities

Access modern classrooms, study spaces, and hands-on learning environments designed to prepare you for the real world.

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Whether you’re preparing for your next promotion or changing careers to better support your family, we offer more than 80 career-focused programs with 100% online and flexible learning options tailored to your needs.

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grow with faculty who’ve been where you are.

Learn from experienced educators who have established careers across diverse fields of study. Our instructors have worked with both prominent institutions and innovative organizations from around the world. Through their expertise, students will gain valuable insights and develop essential concepts and skills in their area of study.

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