| Department: | Mathematics & Computer Science / College of Science & Engineering |
| Hours Required: | 30 |
| Categories: | Graduate |
| Completion Time: | 2 years * |
| Delivery: | Online |
* Based on 2 classes per semester including summer
The Master of Science in Computer and Information Science (MCIS) program at the Southern Arkansas University is one of the largest, most affordable and highly attractive computer science graduate programs in the USA. The program offers a wide spectrum of online and onsite courses that are carefully designed to train the students in both theories and applications. The curriculum is constantly reviewed and updated to reflect the ongoing changes in the computer science field. The faculty members are highly qualified — many with extensive industry experience.
Students in the MCIS program can either study general topics in computer science or, based on their background and interest, pursue one of the following focus areas:
- Data Science
- Information Technology
- Cyber Security & Privacy
The Cyber Security and Privacy option focuses on security analytics (such as penetration testing and digital forensics), cyber defense and privacy compliance. Students are expected to have familiarity with computer systems and applications to pursue this option. Key career options include: security/privacy architect, forensic specialist, security/privacy compliance analyst, or pursuing doctoral studies.
Undergraduate requirements
Students should have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Students with a bachelor’s degree in other areas will be considered, but will require to complete MCIS 5023 Computer Science Fundamentals: Concepts and MCIS 5033 Computer Science Fundamentals: Programming prerequisite courses. No credit is awarded towards the MCIS degree for the completion of these prerequisite courses.
For more information about the program please contact
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Each candidate for the Master of Science in Computer and Information Science degree must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework.
Core Courses (12 Hours)
- MCIS 5103 – Advanced Programming Concepts or
- MCIS 5163 – Python Programming
- MCIS 5133 – Data Base Management Systems
- MCIS 6163 – Computer Networking
- MCIS 6173 – Information and Networking Security
Cyber Security Courses (12 Hours)
- MCIS 6213 – Applied Cryptography or
- MCIS 6243 – Wireless and Mobile Security
- MCIS 6223 – Vulnerability Analysis and Risk Assessment
- MCIS 6233 – Traceable Systems and Computer Forensics
- MCIS 6253 – Privacy Compliant Systems Design
Elective Courses
Select 6 hours from the following:
- MCIS 5003 – Survey of Information Technology
- MCIS 5013 – The UNIX Operating System
- MCIS 5103 – Advanced Programming Concepts
- MCIS 5113 – Web Programming: Client Side
- MCIS 5163 – Python Programming
- MCIS 5313 – Data Structures and Algorithms
- MCIS 5413 – Web Programming: Server Side
- MCIS 6123 – Decision Science
- MCIS 6133 – User Interface Design
- MCIS 6153 – Software Engineering
- MCIS 6183 – Special Topics
- MCIS 6193 – Special Topics
- MCIS 6203 – Special Topics Seminar
- MCIS 6213 – Applied Cryptography
- MCIS 6243 – Wireless and Mobile Security
- MCIS 6263 – Big Data
- MCIS 6273 – Data Mining
- MCIS 6283 – Machine Learning
- MCIS 6293 – Special Topics
- MCIS 6313 – Internet of Things
- MCIS 6323 – Cloud Computing
- MCIS 6333 – Data Visualization Programming
- MCIS 6983 – Internship in Computer and Information Science
- MCIS 6913 – Thesis
- MCIS 6916 – Thesis
