Bachelor of Science in Information Technology- Arkansas
The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) 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 practice employed by numerous diverse global organizations with emphasis on networking, security, programming and technology infrastructure. Graduates from the BSIT program 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
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the 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 being certified. 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. Certifications are the best means of validating a student's skills and knowledge.
Also available is a Master of Science in Information Systems and Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance.
Requirements
Major
| BUS 100 | Introduction to Business | |
| BUS 375 | Project Management | |
| CIS 106 | Introduction to Information Technology | |
| CIS 109 | Introduction to Management Information Systems | |
| CIS 110 | Computer Programming Design | |
| CIS 111 | Introduction to Relational Database Management Systems | |
| OR | |
| CIS 112 | Introduction to Cloud Computing | |
| CIS 175 | Introduction to Networking | |
| CIS 261 | Object-Oriented Computer Programming I | |
| CIS 312 | Computer Architecture | |
| CIS 324 | Ethics in IT | |
| CIS 333 | Networking Security Fundamentals | |
| CIS 373 | Web Design and Development | |
| CIS 376 | SQL Programming | |
| CIS 498 | Information Technology Capstone | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 63.0 |
Concentration
Students must choose one of the concentrations listed to complete the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
General Education Core
| CIS 101 | Navigating a Digital World | |
| COM 100 | Communication at Work | |
| COM 200 | Communication: The Key to Working Together | |
| ECO 110 | Taking Charge of Your Economic Future | |
| ENG 116 | Discover the Writer in You | |
| ENG 201 | The Power of Persuasion | |
| HIS 110 | U.S. History: Learn from the Past, Prepare for the Future | |
| HUM 201 | Exploring Cultures: Adapting in a Global World | |
| MAT 110 | Using Math to Inform Your World | |
| MAT 210 | Data-Driven Decisions | |
| PHI 201 | Thinking it Through | |
| PSY 101 | Smarter Decisions through Psychology | |
| SCI 201 | Unlocking the Secrets of Science and Innovation | |
| SCI 110 | Introduction to Physical Science | |
| SCI 115 | Introduction to Biology | |
| SOC 101 | The Story of Us: Embracing Diversity and Collaboration | |
| WRK 100 | Preparing for the Future of Work | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 76.5 |
Electives
These courses are selected in consultation with a dean, advisor or coach. Students attending an Arkansas campus must take a minimum of three upper-level courses (13.5 credits at the 300 or 400 level) to satisfy the Electives requirement, with the exception of students in the Software Development Concentration who must take four upper-level courses (18.0 credits at the 300 or 400 level) to satisfy the Elective requirement. Within this component, it is possible for students to develop a minor in a second area of study (see Minors).
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 211 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | |
| CIS 214 | Introduction to Prompt Engineering | |
| CIS 363 | Python Programming for Artificial Intelligence | |
| CIS 439 | Deep Learning and Neural Networks | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18.0 |
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 332 | Network Server Administration I | |
| CIS 437 | Cloud Architecture and Design | |
| CIS 447 | AWS Cloud Operations I | |
| CIS 448 | AWS Cloud Operations II | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18.0 |
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 332 | Network Server Administration I | |
| SEC 420 | Perimeter Defense Techniques | |
| SEC 435 | Network Penetration Testing | |
| SEC 340 | Computer 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 356 | Decision Support and Business Intelligence | |
| CIS 362 | Data Analytics I | |
| CIS 461 | Data Analytics II | |
| CIS 429 | Data 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 377 | SQL Programming II | |
| CIS 424 | Database Administration I | |
| CIS 428 | Database Administration II | |
| CIS 429 | Data 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 348 | Information Technology Project Management | |
| BUS 377 | Managing Project Risk | |
| BUS 419 | Project Estimating and Budgeting | |
| CIS 443 | Agile 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 332 | Network Server Administration I | |
| CIS 337 | Internetworking Basics | |
| CIS 357 | Advanced Internetworking | |
| CIS 401 | Network 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 361 | Object Oriented Computer Programming II | |
| CIS 375 | Human-Computer Interaction | |
| CIS 406 | JAVA Programming I | |
| CIS 407 | JAVA Programming II | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18.0 |
All courses are 4.5 quarter credit hours.
Total Credit Hours: 180.0