2023-2024 Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program provides students with the skills, knowledge and proficiency to support, troubleshoot and design key elements of the information technology infrastructure—from websites to networks—in organizations ranging from business and government to healthcare and many more. Students will be exposed to the essential skills needed to support the tactical technical operations of today’s global companies, as well as the insight and critical thinking required to analyze and effectively deploy forward-looking technologies. Students are expected to demonstrate computer and critical-thinking skills in order to succeed in the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program. Courses within the major component of the curriculum are overarching by design and will prepare students for success.

This program applies the use of technologies and practices employed by numerous and diverse global organizations with an emphasis on networking, security, programming and technology infrastructure. Graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology possess a strong combination of technical skills, knowledge and practical, hands-on expertise to support an organization’s technology infrastructure and the people who use it.

Within this curriculum, students have the option of choosing a concentration in:

  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Cloud Computing*
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Data Management
  • IT Project Management
  • Networking
  • Software Development

Disclaimers

Students enrolled in this program in Arkansas must follow the program requirements in the Arkansas section of the catalog. This program is not available at the New Jersey, North Carolina or Pennsylvania campuses and is available in an online-only format to New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania students.

*The Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing concentrations are available in an online-only format.

Credits earned from Strayer University do not automatically qualify the holder to participate in professional licensing examinations to practice certain information systems professions. General information about information systems licensure options is available from vendor-specific websites such as Microsoft, Cisco, Project Management Institute, CompTIA or EC-Council.

The university recognizes that the IT industry uses IT certifications as a means of vetting potential IT professionals in the fields of computer networks, database management, network security, technical support and more. Therefore, a number of carefully chosen courses have embedded IT certification training along with academic rigor in order to prepare students for certification. Review the undergraduate-level CIS course descriptions in the course descriptions section of this catalog to determine which courses in this program have certification training availability and the requirements associated with each course. General information about information systems certifications is available from vendor-specific websites such as Microsoft, Cisco, Project Management Institute, CompTIA or EC-Council.

Also available are an Associate in Arts in Information Technology, a Master of Science in Information Systems, and a Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance.

Requirements

Major

BUS 100Introduction to Business

BUS 375Project Management

CIS 106Introduction to Information Technology

CIS 109Introduction to Management Information Systems

CIS 110Computer Programming Design

CIS 111Introduction to Relational Database Management Systems

OR

CIS 112Introduction to Cloud Computing

CIS 175Introduction to Networking

CIS 261Object-Oriented Computer Programming I

CIS 312Computer Architecture

CIS 333Networking Security Fundamentals

CIS 373Web Design and Development

CIS 376SQL Programming

CIS 498Information Technology Capstone

Total Credit Hours:58.5

Concentration

Students must choose one of the concentrations listed to complete the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

Total Credit Hours:18.0

General Education Core

CIS 101Navigating a Digital World

COM 100Communication at Work

COM 200Communication: The Key to Working Together

ECO 110Taking Charge of Your Economic Future 

ENG 116Discover the Writer in You

ENG 201The Power of Persuasion 

HIS 110U.S. History: Learn from the Past, Prepare for the Future

HUM 201Exploring Cultures: Adapting in a Global World

MAT 110Using Math to Inform Your World

MAT 210Data-Driven Decisions

PHI 201Thinking it Through

PSY 101Smarter Decisions through Psychology

SCI 201Unlocking the Secrets of Science and Innovation 

SOC 101The Story of Us: Embracing Diversity and Collaboration 

WRK 100Preparing for the Future of Work

Total Credit Hours:67.5

Electives

These courses are selected in consultation a dean, advisor or coach; within this component it is possible for students to develop a minor in a second area of study (see Minors).

Total Credit Hours:36.0
 

Concentration Requirements

Artificial Intelligence Concentration

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Concentration is designed for students who are interested in gaining a solid understanding of AI concepts and their practical applications. The curriculum is carefully structured to provide a step-by-step progression of knowledge, starting with an introduction to AI, through Python programming for AI and culminating with Deep Learning and Neural Networks. Through a combination of theoretical concepts, hands-on programming exercises, and practical applications, students will develop the skills necessary to understand, implement, and apply AI techniques and tools effectively.
CIS 211Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

CIS 214Introduction to Prompt Engineering

CIS 363Python Programming for Artificial Intelligence

CIS 439Deep Learning and Neural Networks

Total Credit Hours:18.0
Artificial Intelligence (AI): This concentration is only available online.

Cloud Computing Concentration

The Cloud Computing Concentration is designed to teach students the skills needed to design and administer cloud environments, with an emphasis on the services provided by the major cloud providers Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. 
CIS 332Network Server Administration I

CIS 437Cloud Architecture and Design

CIS 447AWS Cloud Operations I

CIS 448AWS Cloud Operations II

Total Credit Hours:18.0
Cloud Computing: This concentration is only available online.

Cybersecurity Concentration

The Cybersecurity Concentration is designed to teach students the skills integral to being able to secure an organization’s data and operations against cybersecurity concerns.

CIS 332Network Server Administration I

SEC 420Perimeter Defense Techniques

SEC 435Network Penetration Testing

SEC 340Computer Forensic Technology

Total Credit Hours:18.0

Data Analytics Concentration

The Data Analytics Concentration is designed to teach students the skills integral to being able to design, develop and deploy systems that support the data analytics needs of an organization.

CIS 356Decision Support and Business Intelligence

CIS 362Data Analytics I

CIS 461Data Analytics II

CIS 429Data Warehouse Planning

Total Credit Hours:18.0

Data Management Concentration

The Data Management Concentration is designed to teach students the skills integral to being able to administer traditional and cloud-based database systems to meet business operational needs.

CIS 377SQL Programming II

CIS 424Database Administration I

CIS 428Database Administration II

CIS 429Data Warehouse Planning

Total Credit Hours:18.0

IT Project Management Concentration

The IT Project Management Concentration is designed to teach students the skills integral to being able to develop project plans to meet business goals.

CIS 348Information Technology Project Management

BUS 377Managing Project Risk

BUS 419Project Estimating and Budgeting

CIS 443Agile Project Management

Total Credit Hours:18.0

Networking Concentration

The Networking Concentration is designed to teach students the skills integral to being able to design and administer computer networks, both LANs and WANs, to meet organizational business and cybersecurity requirements.

CIS 332Network Server Administration I

CIS 337Internetworking Basics

CIS 357Advanced Internetworking

CIS 401Network Server Administration II

Total Credit Hours:18.0

Software Development Concentration

The Software Development Concentration is designed to teach students the skills integral to being able to design, develop and deploy software solutions to meet business needs.

CIS 361Object Oriented Computer Programming II

CIS 375Human-Computer Interaction

CIS 406JAVA Programming I

CIS 407JAVA Programming II

Total Credit Hours:18.0

All courses are 4.5 quarter credit hours.

Total Credit Hours: 180.0