"Mini-Guide" to Information Systems Degrees Online
Information systems brings computers and people together to find solutions.
In obtaining your degree, you'll learn programming, how to think up, design, and use computer applications, different systems and platforms, analysis, networking, and other information technology-related skills to make an organization function at the highest level of tech efficiency.
If you're considering an online information systems degree, look no further than this "'Mini-Guide' to Online Information Systems Degrees."
- 1 What is information systems all about?
Companies and organizations acknowledge that to stay competitive they must incorporate existing and up-and-coming technology. Pressure to keep up has grown in recent years as e-commerce has grown in popularity. Today more than ever, companies know that technology is a critical issue.
Information systems professionals play an integral role in implementing technology solutions within their organizations, and they strive to maintain the security of the networks on which corporations rely to store and transmit their data.
Someone in information systems might be tasked with coding a new program or Web site to meet the company's initiatives, or testing the integrity of a network to decide if security measures must be improved. At a management level, an information systems professional might be responsible for researching and planning new networking, security, programming, and general technology goals and initiatives.
Here's how one publication describes the field:
- "Information systems is about bringing computers and people together. Majors learn how to conceive, design, and implement computer applications, systems, and information technology (IT) that meet the specific needs of individuals, businesses, and many other types of organizations."
- College Board Book of Majors, 2nd edition
- 2Is an online information systems degree right for me?
Think about an online information systems degree if you:
- Enjoy using computers to solve problems.
- Like showing others how to use computers.
- Want to bring computers and people together to find solutions.
- Can relate technological concepts well to nontechnical users.
- Like playing computer games in your spare time.
- Possess acute attention to detail.
- Enjoy working on team projects.
- Want a career in which you will learn new technical skills often.
- Desire a career that applies technology to people's needs.
- Are a skilled communicator.
- Have experience or talent tutoring others.
- Excel at critical thinking and reading.
- Possess initiative.
- Enjoy organizing or are a naturally organized person.
- Consider yourself a "math person."
- Have good listening skills.
- Take pleasure in determining solutions to complex problems.
- Like putting new computer knowledge and skills into practice.
- 3 What other degrees besides information systems should I consider?
If an online information systems degree isn't quite right for you, consider these fields instead:
- Computer Science:
Focus on how individuals use various technologies to accomplish various tasks; learn theory and design, and the way organizations, businesses and groups utilize technology.
Online Computer Science Degrees
Online Certificates in Computer Science - Information Technology:
Information technology provides students with the aptitude to apply principles and theory in addressing business opportunities and creating solutions to operational problems.
Online Information Technology Degrees
Online Certificates in Information Technology - Software Engineering:
Learn how to design, develop, construct, and test complex software systems in order to provide solutions to meet specific needs.
Online Degrees in Software Engineering
Online Certificates in Software Engineering - Computer Programming:
Use programming languages to design, create, build, test, and update computer applications.
Online Degrees in Computer Programming
Online Certificates in Computer Programming - Computer Security:
Learn strategies to maximize and maintain the security of your organization's technological infrastructure.
Online Degrees in Computer Security
Online Certificates in Computer Security - Web Development:
Utilize e-business marketing strategies in creative web design; learn how to integrate elements such as animation, audio, and video using the latest software.
Online Degrees in Web Development
Online Certificates in Web Development - Mathematics:
Develop quantitative, computational and reasoning skills; apply mathematical knowledge and skills in business, government and nonprofit environments.
Online Degrees in Mathematics
- Computer Science:
- 4 How can I specialize my information systems degree?
Many schools allow you to choose a specialization — a focused area of study within the information systems degree. The concentration subject will be a link if it's also a standalone degree.
- Systems Analysis/Design
Study user–system interaction, learn to evaluate current computer systems in place at an organization, and design and implement improved systems. - Decision Support Systems
Study how information systems can be built and used to expedite problem-solving in the business world. - Computer Security
Focus on the protection of information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. – Wikipedia - Networking
Use hardware and software to connect computers at your organization to store and transmit data efficiently and safely. - Management Information Systems
This discipline marries information systems with the business world. Learn about computer systems that help managers plan and facilitate business operations. - Computer Interface Design
Encourage usability, acceptibility, and efficiency of software by designing applications and systems with end-users in mind. - e-Commerce
Learn how computers are used to conduct the purchase and selling of goods online. - Web Development
Utilize e-business marketing strategies in creative web design; learn how to integrate elements such as animation, audio, and video using the latest software.
- Systems Analysis/Design
- 5 What are some of the courses in an online information systems degree?
While the exact curriculum will vary from school to school, here are some of the courses you might take to get your information systems degree online:
- Introduction to Programming
- Introduction to Data Structures
- Operating Systems
- Systems Analysis
- Information Retrieval and Data Mining
- Object-Oriented Programming I & II
- Web Development and E-Commerce
- Systems Security
- Operating Systems
- Network Design
- Principles of Database Design
- Database Management
- Information Systems Programming
- Database Applications
- Multimedia Systems
- Project Management for Information Systems
- Computer Graphics
- Decision Support Systems
- Human and Computer Interaction
- Simulation and Modeling
- Advanced Information Systems
- Game Design
- 6 What skills might I learn in an online information systems degree?
In obtaining a degree in information systems, you will likely have gained many of the following skills and competencies:
- All basic computer and programming concepts
- Knowledge of data and file structures
- Database design and development
- Database management
- Data communications
- How to analyze and design computer-based systems
- Computer languages, like Visual Basic, C/C++, SQL, and Java
- Relational database systems like Oracle and MySQL
- Differences between and benefits of Windows/NT, Linux, Unix, and Mac operating systems
- How to keep up with new developments in the field
- Project management skills and techniques
- Proper records management habits
- Sharper analytical skills
- Full fluency across computer platforms
- 7What kind of employers hire people with online degrees in information systems?
Can you think of an industry that doesn't need computers to function well? We can't either. From banks to the big top, each industry relies upon sound technological infrastructure in its own fashion.
While online degrees in information systems are extremely versatile, here's a list of industries that, traditionally, rely upon computers more heavily than others.
- Computer vendors
- Web services firms
- Creative Web advertising firms
- Computer outsourcing companies
- Internet and online service providers
- IT consulting firms
- Software developers and vendors
- Video game developers
- Research organizations
- Colleges and universities
- Data processing services firms
- Telecommunications companies
- Banks/investment firms
- Hospitals and clinics
- Health insurance companies/HMOs
- Chambers of commerce
- Other educational institutions
- Government agencies
- 8What are some possible careers in information systems?
Here is a sampling of jobs for which you may be qualified with a degree in information systems. Use this list for inspiration, remembering that it represents some, but certainly not all, of the careers you can consider.
- Systems Analyst
- Systems Administrator
- Applications Programmer
- Computer Support Specialist
- Database Analyst
- Information Systems Technician
- Help Desk Technician
- Help Desk Analyst
- Software Engineer
- Computer Scientist
Here are some job titles for those with advanced degrees in information systems. Often, additional experience will be required.
- Help Desk Manager
- Information Systems Manager
- Senior Web Developer
- Information Security Architect/Engineer
- Information Security Manager
- Senior Programmer
- Database Administrator
- Director of IT
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
