The passion to create and the skill to innovate. That’s what we do.

Playing a video game or scrolling on your phone depend on software. Students in the computer information systems program design, analyze and develop software for the computer systems and networks that power today's world. Computer Information Systems is an exciting, challenging, and growing field that impacts the world and everyday life in countless ways and allows you to make a difference in the world.

What You’ll Do

As a CIS major, you’ll learn both software and hardware problem-solving as well as teamwork and technical skills.

  • Gain real-world experience through our department facilities such as the Cyber Range or Internet of Things Laboratory, through internships at any number of renowned corporations, or by working with an actual client as part of your coursework.
  • Work closely with faculty who are industry experts.
  • Select from three advising tracks: Artificial Intelligence, Business Administration, or Cybersecurity.

What Can You Do with a Computer Information Systems (CIS) Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Boeing
  • Garmin
  • Microsoft
  • AT&T
  • Edward Jones
  • Centene
  • NISC
  • Element 74
  • Vintage Software
  • AmerenUE
  • Vizient

Graduate Schools of Recent Graduates

  • University of Missouri
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Rice University
  • Northeastern University

Computer Information Systems Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Outcomes & Careers

  • $103k

    Computer Systems Analyst

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a Computer Systems Analyst is $103,800.

  • $120k

    Information Security Analyst

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an information security analyst is $120,360.

  • $169k

    Computer & Information Systems Manager

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for computer and information systems managers is $169,510.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

In the computer information systems program, you’ll have choices for applying computing in different applications or for specializing in different disciplines. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

78 Hour Major – No Minor Required

Core Courses:
  • CS101 Introduction to Computer Programming (3)
  • CS155 Computer Science I (3)
  • CS265 Computer Science II (3)
  • CS300 Computer Science III (3)
  • CS433 Data Analytics (3)
  • CS440 Database (3)
  • CS445 Software Engineering (3)
  • CS499 Capstone Experience (3)
  • CY201 Introduction to Cybersecurity (3)
  • IS145 Introduction to Web Development (3)
  • IS175 Information Systems I (3)
  • IS245 Web Development and Security (3)
  • IS275 Computer Information Systems II (3)
  • IS299 Security in Data Protocols (3)
  • IS340 Information Technology (3)
  • IS360 Mobile Application Development (3)
  • IS420 Human Computer Interaction (3)
  • IS440 Web Design for Electronic Commerce (3)
  • IS448 IS/IT Project Management (3)
  • IS465 Management Support Systems (3)
  • IU315 Ethics in the Cyber World (3)
  • MA223 Elementary Probability and Statistics (3)

Choose One Track:

Artificial Intelligence and Gaming – Choose 12 hours:
  • CS173 Introduction to Game Development (3)
  • CS2xx Character Development and Storycrafting (3)
  • CS373 Game Programming I (3)
  • CS453 Machine Learning (3)
  • CS473 Game Programming II (3)
  • CS485 Internship in Computer Science (3)
  • CS505 Data Mining (3)
  • CS506 Cloud Computing (3)
  • CS533 Mobile Computing (3)
  • CS575 Advanced Web Development (3)
  • CS591 Advanced Artificial Intelligence (3)
Cybersecurity – Choose 12 hours:
  • CS351 C and the Posix Environment (3)
  • CS480 Data Communications (3)
  • CS485 Internship in Computer Science (3)
  • CY101 Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (3)
  • CY320 Access Control (3)
  • CY410 Web Application Security (3)
  • CY450 Introduction to Cyber Operations (3)
  • CY530 Computer Network Security and Defense (3)
  • TN275 Introduction to Networks (3)
  • TN375 Routing and Switching Essentials (3)
Healthcare and Business Administration – Choose 12 hours:
  • AC221 Principles of Accounting I (3)
  • CS485 Internship in Computer Science (3)
  • EC225 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
  • ER361 Principles of Entrepreneurship (3)
  • HA510 Healthcare Performance Improvement (3)
  • HA520 Healthcare Quality and Value (3)
  • HA540 Healthcare Informatics (3)
  • HA545 Healthcare Database Systems (3)
  • HA556 Healthcare Topics (3)
  • HA557 Healthcare Law and Regulatory Compliance (3)
  • HA586 Healthcare Strategy and Marketing (3)
  • IS575 IS/IT Strategy and Management (3)
  • MG301 Principles of Management (3)
  • MG362 Management Skills (3)
  • MI375 Management Information Systems. (3)
  • MK301 Principles of Marketing (3)

NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required in each core course.NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required in each core course.

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

First Year 

Fall Semester (13 Hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • IS175 (3) 
  • CS101 (3) 
  • MA116* (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CS155 (3) 
  • IS145 (3) 
  • IS275 (3) 
  • IU315 (3) 
  • General Education** (3) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA 

Second Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CS265 (3) 
  • IS245 (3) 
  • IS340 (3) 
  • MA223(3) 
  • Track Course (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CS300 (3)
  • CS433 (3)
  • IS299 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA 

Third Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CS440 (3) 
  • CY201 (3) 
  • Track Course(3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • IS360 (3) 
  • IS420 (3) 
  • IS440 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA 

Fourth Year 

Fall Semester (16 Hours) 
  • CS445 (3) 
  • IS448 (3) 
  • Track Course (4) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (16 Hours) 
  • IS465 (3) 
  • CS499 (3) 
  • Track Course (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (2) 
  • Elective (2)

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA 

 *MA116 is a prerequisite to MA223 
**If Business Administration track is chosen, take EC215 as prerequisite to EC225. 

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

Stamp Cyber Command Center

Get experience with real-world cyber-attack scenarios in the first Cyber Command Center west of the Mississippi. Through SEMO's collaboration with IBM, you’ll get experience with immersive simulations that replicate real-world cyber threats, equipping you with the skills and expertise needed to respond to the evolving cybercrime landscape.

Computer Science Opportunities

  • 12X

    Statewide Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition Champions

    Southeast Missouri State University is the 12x defending champion of the Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. This statewide competition focuses on the operational aspect of managing and protecting an existing network infrastructure in addition to examining the abilities of students to design, configure, and protect a network over an entire semester.

  • 2

    State-of-the-Art Research Facilities

    One of the many research facilities on campus is the Cyber Range, an interactive, remote-accessible computational platform of virtualized digital resources which can be weaved together to aid and solve experimental, research, educational, and operational challenges of cyber-enabled systems offering educational content delivery and collaboration. The Department of Computer Science also maintains a separate OpenStack deployment dedicated for faculty and graduate student research called the Research Cluster, offering 200 cores with a total of 300GB of RAM, and 12TB of storage. 

  • 100%

    Students Graduate with Internships

    Students earn experiential learning through hands-on work in their field of study while connecting classroom concepts to real-world situations. This professional experience does more than add to your resume, it helps you build connections in your industry.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.

Accreditations and Designations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET): Computing Accreditation Commission logo
  • National Security Agency logo
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security logo
  • official Centers of academic excellence in cybersecurity community logo
Location
Office
Dempster Hall, 021A
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 5950
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701