| Department: | Mathematics & Computer Science / College of Science & Engineering |
| Hours Required: | 30 |
| Categories: | Graduate |
| Completion Time: | 2 years * |
| Cost Per Year: | In state: $5,497 / Out of State: $7,897 |
| Complete Program Cost: | In state: $10,995 / Out of State: $15,795 |
| 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:
- Information Technology
- Data Science
- Cyber Security & Privacy
The MCIS program will provide a solid foundation in computer systems and software, and instill project/team management skills. Possible career options include: software developer, database administrator, information technology manager, data analyst, security/privacy 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.
Master of Science in Computer and Information Science (General)
Each candidate for the Master of Science in Computer and Information Science degree must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework that includes 12 hours of core courses and minimum 18 hours of electives.
12 hours of core courses (mandatory):
| MCIS | 5103 | Advanced Programming Concepts |
| MCIS | 5133 | Data Base Management Systems |
| MCIS | 6163 | Computer Networking |
| MCIS | 6173 | Information & Networking Security |
18 hours of electives to be selected from the following:
| MCIS | 5003 | Survey of Information Technology |
| MCIS | 5013 | UNIX Operating System |
| MCIS | 5113 | Web Programming: Client Side |
| MCIS | 5413 | Web Programming: Server Side |
| MCIS | 6123 | Decision Science |
| MCIS | 6133 | User Interface Design |
| MCIS | 6153 | Software Engineering |
| MCIS | 6183 | Special Topics |
| MCIS | 6201-6 | Special Topics Seminar |
| MCIS | 6213 | Applied Cryptography |
| MCIS | 6214 | Data structures and Algorithms |
| MCIS | 6223 | Vulnerability and Risk Assessment |
| MCIS | 6233 | Traceable systems and Computer Forensics |
| MCIS | 6243 | Wireless and Mobile Security |
| MCIS | 6253 | Privacy Compliant Systems Design |
| MCIS | 6263 | Big Data |
| MCIS | 6273 | Data Mining |
| MCIS | 6283 | Machine Learning |
| MCIS | 6983 | Internship in Computer and Information Science |
| MCIS | 6911-6 | Thesis |
