The University of St. Thomas

Certificate in Information Systems

Certificate in Information Systems (CIS)

[6 courses] 

The growing audience of software users requires education in appropriate utilization of computer software and software development. This certificate program is designed for professionals who have expertise in a functional area, such as accounting, finance, education, management, retail, law, manufacturing, medicine, agriculture or government who have minimal or no software development experience. The needs of this audience can best be met with the CIS.

Entrance requirements:

  1. A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline from an accredited educational institution with an overall grade-point-average (GPA) of at least 2.7 (Applicants with a GPA less than 2.7 will be considered for provisional admission with their professional experience factored into the decision.)
  2. Two years work experience
NOTE: Though not a requirement for admission, CIS students must be able to program in a high-level language to complete the certificate.  Newly admitted students who do not know how to program will be required to take an additional introductory programming course in Java by the end of their first semester.  This course will be in addition to all other certificate requirements.

Required items to be submitted with application:
(International students: please see International Student Admission Procedures.)

  1. $30 Application fee
  2. Completed GPS application form
  3. Official transcript(s) from ALL universities/colleges attended bearing an institutional seal and sent directly to the Graduate Programs in Software (GPS) office by the issuing institution (even if the course work appears as transfer work on another school transcript).
  4. Admission essay giving your reasons for wanting to enter this program. Essays can be one to two pages.
  5. Detailed resume which includes all work experience, job description, and programming languages used.
  6. A list of computing-related courses not appearing on transcripts.

Note: The GRE or GMAT is not required for the GPS programs.

Certificate completion criteria:
Upon satisfactory completion of the required six courses with an average GPA of 2.7 or better, the CIS certificate will be awarded. Satisfactory completion of the certificate provides an opportunity for the student to continue in the Master of Science or Master of Software Systems program; however, MS and MSS students cannot transfer into the certificate program.

Required Courses:
The following six courses are required for this certificate:

    • SEIS 601 Foundations of Software Development (waived with appropriate programming experience)
    • SEIS 610 Software Engineering
    • SEIS 635 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
    • Choose three electives from the GPS course list (or four electives if SEIS 601 is waived). You may select any GPS courses you wish except the following: SEIS 600, SEIS 620, SEIS 621, SEIS 776, SEIS 777.
    • Please note: SEIS 778 Internship/Seminar may be taken, but the course will not count toward the 18 credits required for completion of the certificate.