Graduate Certificate in Information Systems

The Graduate Certificate in Information Systems (GCIS) is designed to prepare students for positions in the information systems field. The curriculum is focused on gaining a better understanding of the use of information systems to enhance business processes and the decision-making process associated with them.

Information systems professionals design, implement and deploy software solutions that are the driving force in every organization. This program accommodates students just beginning to explore the field and those with a thorough understanding of computerized information systems. Practical applications are emphasized throughout the program.

Program Requirements

VIU’s GCIS program is generally completed within one year of full time study. It consists of four (4) core courses (12 credits) and two (2) electives (6 credits). The elective courses provide the opportunity for the students to develop further competencies covered in the core courses, based on their area of interest

Area	# of Courses	Credit Hours
Core courses	4	12
Elective courses	2	6
Total	6	18

GCIS Core Courses

Each candidate must complete the following four (4) Core Courses (12 credit hours):

Course Code	Course Name	Credit
CMP 552	Information Systems	3
CMP 553	Analysis, Modeling, and Design	3
CMP 556	Database Management Systems I	3
CMP 570	Enterprise Information Systemss	3

GCIS Elective Courses

Candidates must select two (2) courses (6 credits) from the list of courses below:

Course Code	Course Name	Credit
CMP 550	IT infrastructure	3
CMP 558	Network and IS Security	3
CMP 591	Graduate Internship Level I	3
CMP 640	Decision Support and BI	3
CMP 680	Organizational and Social Dimensions of Computing	3

GCIS Program Prerequisites

All new students in this certificate program need certain basic skills in order to succeed in the program. Students who do not have the requisite background in business administration and information technology need to take some or all of the prerequisite courses before they begin studying the courses in the program. In some cases, the program prerequisite courses may have course prerequisites to be taken before enrolling in the program prerequisite courses.

Course Code	Course Name	Prerequisite	Credits
CMP 350	Database Concepts	None	3
One of the following courses:
CMP 330	Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis	CMP 120*	3
CMP 340	Principles of Programming Languages	CMP 120*	3
CMP 355	Programming with C/C++	CMP 120*	3

* Course can be waived if student passes a standardized examination for this course or by Dean’s approval.

Career Paths & Opportunities

System/Programmer/Business Analyst
Database designer
Systems manager
Data Architect
Information systems director

Sample Schedule

The following is a sample schedule of the possible sequencing of courses in the Graduate Certificate in IS program.

First Semester

Course Code	Course Name	Credit
CMP 552	Information Systems	3
CMP 553	Analysis, Modeling and Design	3
CMP 556	Database Systems	3
	Total Credits	9

Second Semester

Course Code	Course Name	Credit
CMP 570	Enterprise Information Systems	3
CMP XXX	Program Elective	3
CMP XXX	Program Elective	3
	Total Credits	9