B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request the earliest start date
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
Computer and Information Systems managers are vital in bringing a human component to the technological needs of their organizations.
CIS professionals use computers to solve business problems. As a CIS major at JMU, you’ll be ready for a career that requires both the business knowledge and the technical skills to help clients design, build and deliver competitive computer-based solutions. You'll receive up-to-date course work in application development; architecture, networking and security; business intelligence; consulting and more.
After graduation, you'll join a network of loyal JMU alumni whose success in senior- and mid-level management positions is built on a foundation of solid technical skills and integrative business knowledge.
The Computer Information Systems (CIS) major at JMU prepares students for professional careers that require both the business knowledge and the technical skills to help clients design, build and deliver competitive computer-based solutions. Computer and information systems managers play a vital role in the technological direction of their organizations and must stay abreast of the latest technology to ensure the organization does not lag behind its competitors.
JMU's CIS program was recognized as one of the top ten undergraduate information technology programs in the United States (TechRepublic, 2008) and is part of the nationally recognized JMU College of Business. Professors in the program use a variety of teaching methods including projects, cases, and business simulations to prepare graduates with strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills; effective communication and presentation skills; hands-on experience; and the ability to work effectively in individual and team-oriented environments.
Several features of JMU's CIS program are distinctive:
- Outstanding placement of graduates: the JMU CIS program is viewed as a prime recruiting school by many leading employers throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
- Coursework in a variety of specialties.
- Business intelligence
- Business process management
- Computer forensics
- Computer security management
- Information technology consulting
- Information technology project management
- Excellent opportunities for internships and job-related work experience through JMU's Handshake program and an active JMU CIS alumni network of over 3,100 graduates.
- Active student chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP): Students regularly compete in the National Collegiate Conference, network with industry professionals, engage in service-learning projects, and expand their leadership skills by serving as chapter leaders.
Gallery
Program Outcome
The CIS B.B.A. program will produce graduates with the ability to:
- Exhibit leadership in a role as subject matter expert or consultant.
- Exhibit confidence in combining technical, business, and interpersonal skills to innovate and solve problems in a team environment.
- Effectively adapt and apply changing technology to business opportunities and challenges.
- Work effectively in the IS field to make a positive contribution to society.
Admissions
Curriculum
As a CIS major at JMU, you'll receive up-to-date coursework in application development; architecture, networking, and security; business intelligence; consulting, and more through the CIS major and CIS and Business Analytics (BSAN) minors.
You’ll also have access to the following technology alliances: Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA), Oracle Academic Alliance (OAA), Red Hat Enterprise Linux Academic Server Subscription.
The CIS B.B.A. program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, meaning we meet the highest standards in preparing students who are ready to enter the information systems profession upon graduation.
CIS’s classification as a STEM program has been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
Major Coursework and upper B.B.A. Core
Students who began at JMU during the Fall 2020 semester or later, are required to complete the upper BBA core, the CIS major core, and a concentration.
- CIS 221 – Principles of Programming*
Note: Recommended prior to COB 300 - COB 300A – Integrated Business: Management
- COB 300B – Integrated Business: Finance
- COB 300C – Integrated Business: Operations
- COB 300D – Integrated Business: Marketing
- COB 318 – Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
Note: COB 318 must be taken before COB 487. - COB 487 – Strategic Management
- CIS 301 – Cloud Server Management
- CIS 304 – Enterprise Architecture
- CIS 330 – Database Design and Application*
- CIS 331 – Intermediate Computer Programming*
- CIS 361 – CIS Internship (recommended, but not required)
- CIS 454 – Systems Analysis and Design
- Completion of a Concentration
*C or better required for CIS Majors
Required Concentration
Beginning with the Fall 2020 semester*, Computer Information System majors must choose one of the following options to complete the required courses in the CIS major:
Option 1: Information Systems Concentration
This concentration prepares students to support the analysis, design, development, and delivery of competitive computer-based solutions. Information systems managers play a vital role in the technological direction of their organizations and must stay abreast of the latest technology to ensure the organization does not lag its competitors.
No application is required for admission to the Information Systems Concentration. Students can declare the concentration in MyMadison when declaring the CIS major.
Students in the Information Systems Concentration complete five CIS core courses and five courses required for the concentration.
Required Courses
- CIS 301. Cloud Server Management
- CIS 320. Computing and Telecommunications Networks
- CIS 484. Information Systems Development and Implementation
- CIS Electives
Option 2: Business Analytics Concentration:
This concentration prepares students to manage and assess big data, perform data analysis, perform quantitative modeling and utilize business intelligence applications. Data is the heart of any business and managers rely on proper data analysis for company success.
Admission to the BSAN program is limited and competitive. CIS majors interested in pursuing the BSAN concentration will have to submit an application for admission by October 1 in the pool with students applying for the BSAN minor**. One cohort of BSAN students will be admitted each fall to start the BSAN courses in the spring. Once accepted to the BSAN minor, students can declare the BSAN concentration in MyMadison.
Students in the BSAN Concentration complete the five CIS core courses and four courses required in the concentration.
Required Courses
- BSAN 390 - Statistical Modeling for Business Analytics
- BSAN 391 - Decision Modeling for Business Analytics
- BSAN 393 - Data Mining for Business Analytics
- CIS 463 - Business Intelligence
*Students who began prior to Fall 2020 and want to complete a concentration should contact the CIS academic advisor.
**Students pursuing the BSAN Concentration are NOT eligible for a BSAN minor.
Minors
- Business Analytics
- Computer Information Systems
Pathway Options
Traditional Pathway
- Freshman - First Semester: ECON 200/201, MATH 205/COB 191
- Freshman - Second Semester: ECON 200/201, MATH 205/COB 191, COB 204
- Sophomore - First Semester: COB 241, CIS 221
- Sophomore - Second Semester: COB 242, COB 202, COB 291
- Junior - First Semester: COB 300A, COB 300B, COB 300C, COB 300D, CIS 304
- Junior - Second Semester: CIS 301, CIS 320, CIS 330, COB 318
- Senior - First Semester: CIS 331, CIS 454, CIS Elective
- Senior - Second Semester: CIS 484, CIS Elective, COB 487
Accelerated Pathway
- Freshman - First Semester: ECON 200/201, MATH 205/COB 191, COB 204
- Freshman - Second Semester: ECON 200/201, MATH 205/COB 191, COB 241
- Sophomore - First Semester: COB 202, COB 291, COB 242, CIS 221
- Sophomore - Second Semester: COB 300A, COB 300B, COB 300C, COB 300D, CIS 304
- Junior - First Semester: CIS 301, CIS 320, CIS 330
- Junior - Second Semester: CIS 331, CIS Elective, COB 318
- Senior - First Semester: CIS 454, CIS Elective
- Senior - Second Semester: CIS 484, COB 487
Some students may be prepared to take COB 300 at the end of their sophomore year, particularly those with numerous AP and dual enrollment hours.
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Security
- IT Engineer at ReliaQuest
- IS Senior Cybersecurity Engineer at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
- Product Security Test Engineer I (Ethical Hacker) at Lenovo
- Cyber Security Engineer - Entry Level - Fairfax, VA at CGI
- Corporate Audit Services (IT Audit) Management Trainee 2023 at BNSF Railway
- System Administrator at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- Underwriter, Cyber/E&O (Hybrid) at Markel Corporation
- Associate Systems Engineer at Unisys
- Systems Engineer III at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.
- Cyber Security Engineer at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.
- Information Systems Security Officer at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.
- Associate Consultant - Unit 42 at Palo Alto Networks
- Database Administrator at North Carolina Department of Commerce
- AWS Solution Architect Associate at Amazon
- Network Security Engineer at i28 Technologies Corporation
- Software Developer - Minnesota at Architecture Technology Corporation
- Software Engineer - Minnesota at Architecture Technology Corporation
- Jr. Cloud Services & Support Engineer: O365/SaaS at SRI International
- Early Careers: Cyber Associate at Aon
Technology
- FAE - Associate Embedded Solutions Engineer (NCG76-22) at Microchip Technology Inc.
- Manufacturing Technology Engineering Associate at DuPont
- New Graduates - Explore Technology Opportunities at DISH
- Mechanical Engineer (Entry Level) at L&T Technology Services
- Embedded Engineering Development Program at L&T Technology Services
- Jr. Data Engineer - Big Data at i28 Technologies Corporation
- Entry Level Spark Python Developer - 482023 at i28 Technologies Corporation
- Engineer II-Analog Design (Colorado) at Microchip Technology Inc.
- Project Manager: Technology Acquisition of Mail & Package Sorting Equipment(procure, set up, test & distribute at MBA CSi
- Biological Field Technician - Bias Trials Administrator - (968) at Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.
- Consulting or Senior Bat Biologist - (967) at Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.
- Entry Level Data Scientist with Python at i28 Technologies Corporation
- Information Technology Specialist (DATAMGT) - R5 at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Biological Field Technician - (966) at Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.
- Entry Level Python Fullstack Developer at i28 Technologies Corporation
- Information Technology Rotation Program at CareCentrix
- Inside Sales Specialist at Luminator Technology Group
- SRNL R&D Sr. Engineer, Tritium Technologies at Savannah River National Laboratory
- SRNL Sr. Polymer Engineer, Tritium Technologies at Savannah River National Laboratory
Systems
- Support Analyst II at Miami University
- IT Engineer at ReliaQuest
- Product Security Test Engineer I (Ethical Hacker) at Lenovo
- Research Data Web Developer at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
- 2023 Assoc IT Infrastructure Analyst -Wilmington, MA at Textron
- Corporate Audit Services (IT Audit) Management Trainee 2023 at BNSF Railway
- Data Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- Customer Support Engineer at KLA Corporation
- Systems Technician at 3M
- Associate Systems Engineer at Unisys
- Tech Site Reliability Engineer: ND Hiring at Specialisterne USA
- Data Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- Network Security Engineer at i28 Technologies Corporation
- Systems Engineer at Architecture Technology Corporation
- Software Developer - Minnesota at Architecture Technology Corporation
- Software Engineer - Minnesota at Architecture Technology Corporation
- Jr. Cloud Services & Support Engineer: O365/SaaS at SRI International
- Network and Device Administrator at Kent Denver School
- Research Network Engineer at the University of Wisconsin - Madison
Internships for JMU Students
Security
- DoD College Acquisition Internship Program at Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO CBRND)
- Software Engineering Coop (Spring 2023) at Carrier
- Quality Engineering Intern at Carrier
- R&D Engineering Intern at Carrier
- Mechanical Engineer Intern at Carrier
- Product Design Mechanical Engineer (Intern) at Verkada
- 2023 Intern - National Security Consulting at Guidehouse
- Dell Technologies Services - Undergraduate Cybersecurity Intern at Dell Technologies
- Public Relations Intern at Merritt Group
- 2023 Summer Intern - Information Security at State Farm Insurance Companies
- 30092392 Commercial HVAC Quality intern at Carrier
- Field Service Intern at Carrier
- Corporate Relations Summer Intern 2023 (Paid) at BNSF Railway
- Cyber Security Intern - Fairfax, VA at CGI
- Environmental Summer Intern 2023 (Paid) at BNSF Railway
- Corporate Audit Services Summer Intern 2023 (Paid) at BNSF Railway
- 2023 Summer Intern - Customer Experience (Business) at General Motors
- [REMOTE] GRC - Cyber Security Intern - Summer 2023 at BHG Financial
- IT Summer Intern - Cyber Security at Arconic Corp
Technology
- 2023 Corporate Corporate Internship - Technology/Customer Experience at Hilton
- Undergraduate Marketing Intern at Dell Technologies
- Dell Technologies Services Undergrad Analytics Intern at Dell Technologies
- Technology, Digital Products & Cybersecurity Interns - Summer 2023 at PPL Corporation
- Business Technology Associate Consultant Intern at ZS Associates
- AT&T Supply Chain Undergrad Internships -Technology Enablement & Automation at AT&T
- AT&T Supply Chain Graduate Internships -Technology Enablement & Automation at AT&T
- Dell Technologies Services - Undergraduate Cybersecurity Intern at Dell Technologies
- Dell Technologies Services - Systems Development Engineer Intern at Dell Technologies
- Dell technologies Services - Infrastructure as Code Automations Undergraduate Intern at Dell Technologies
- Marketing Operations Intern at Consumer Technology Association
- Dell Technologies Services Graduate Data Science Intern at Dell Technologies
- Dell Technologies Services - Undergraduate Data Science Summer Intern at Dell Technologies
- Summer Intern- Technology at Vizient, Inc.
- 2023 Information Technology Summer Analyst Program (New York) at Societe Generale
- 2023 Information Technology Summer Analyst Program (Chicago) at Societe Generale
- R&D Intern at Watts Water Technologies
- Engineering Intern, Laser Diode at IPG Photonics
- Intern, Technology - Infrastructure at Minnesota Twins
Information
- 2023 Internship (Multiple Locations) at Northmarq
- 2023 Intern - National Security Consulting at Guidehouse
- 2023 Summer Intern - Information Security at State Farm Insurance Companies
- Cyber Security Intern - Fairfax, VA at CGI
- 2023 Information Systems Summer Internship at Reckitt
- 2023 Information Technology Summer Analyst Program (New York) at Societe Generale
- 2023 Information Technology Summer Analyst Program (Chicago) at Societe Generale
- Animal Care Internship - Large Carnivores at The Wild Animal Sanctuary - Texas
- 2023 Summer Internship Program at Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- Cybersecurity Engineering Intern at Brightspot
- Intern - Information Security Analyst, Summer 2023 at Enterprise Holdings
- Intern - IT Business Analyst, Summer 2023 at Enterprise Holdings
- Intern - Software Engineer, Summer 2023 at Enterprise Holdings
- Intern, Baseball Communications at Minnesota Twins
- Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) Intern – Summer 2023 at WPS Health Solutions
- AutoZone Summer 2023 Internship Program at AutoZone, Inc.
- Application Developer Intern – Summer 2023 at WPS Health Solutions
- INTERNSHIPS - NAMI HelpLine Information and Resource Referral Specialists - Spring 2023 at NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- BES Interns Operations & Maintenance Group (Community Service Aide II) at the City of Portland Bureau of Human Resources
Systems
- Technology, Digital Products & Cybersecurity Interns - Summer 2023 at PPL Corporation
- Data Science Intern (Spring 2023) at Carrier
- Automotive Audio Systems Intern at Tesla
- Dell Technologies Services - Systems Development Engineer Intern at Dell Technologies
- 2023 Summer Intern - Information Security at State Farm Insurance Companies
- Internal Audit Intern, IT at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Cyber Security Intern - Fairfax, VA at CGI
- IT Application Summer Intern at Arconic Corp
- IT Summer Intern - Cyber Security at Arconic Corp
- IT Summer Intern - Deskside Service at Arconic Corp
- IT Summer Intern - Enterprise Infrastructure at Arconic Corp
- IT Operations Intern at Modine Manufacturing Company
- Intern - Information Security Analyst, Summer 2023 at Enterprise Holdings
- Intern - IT Business Analyst, Summer 2023 at Enterprise Holdings
- Intern, Technology - Data Engineering, Business Systems at Minnesota Twins
- IT Intern at Bravera
- IT Infrastructure Internship - Summer 2023 at Casey's
- Intern - Lab Positions at DISH
- Summer Intern-Software - Columbia SC at Dominion Energy
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.
Accreditations
English Language Requirements
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