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Computer Information Systems, B.S.

School of Natural Sciences

Explore Computer Information Systems, B.S.

When you analyze your next career move,
the possibilities are endless.

Computer Information Systems leadership is about analyzing, designing, and developing information technology to help find business solutions.

At Fresno Pacific, you’ll develop a background in computer hardware and software, including an emphasis on data communication, systems software, and databases.

Learning from faculty with experience working for Chrysler, Motorola, Microsoft and other major technology companies, you’ll develop the ability to apply an ethical perspective as well as emphasize security in your designs.

From this foundation, your program will culminate in a long-term, hands-on project experience, spanning from proposal to implementation.

Program Highlights

  • Choose between face-to-face or fully online program options
  • Meet for class one night per week
  • Progress through the entire program with a cohort of 12-22 adult students
  • Engage diverse classmates from a variety of life stages and cultural backgrounds
  • Study under experienced faculty and who assign relevant coursework

Catalog

Program Director: 

Overview

The computer information systems (CIS) major prepares students to work in practical occupations that involve analysis and development of information systems solutions to meet organizational needs. Graduates will gain a foundation and proficiency for work in careers that deal with analysis and support for computing systems and databases and development of computing applications. These skills have applications in many fields including business, education, natural sciences, health industries, manufacturing industries, and marketing. Because technology is a business and nonprofit enabler, the CIS curriculum is strongly aligned with the mission of FPU by creating leaders who will serve with Christian values and integrity. Students completing program requirements will earn a Bachelor of Science in CIS.

Admissions Requirements

  • Application form and fee
  • A minimum 2.4 GPA, below 2.4 can submit a petition
  • Two years’ postsecondary work experience.
    • Need a minimum of 6 transferable units, below 6 units can submit a petition
    • Note: need 60 units before starting the major

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will design and implement functional computer information systems solutions that include aspects of programming, networking, operating systems, and databases.
  2. Students will exhibit the ability to work effectively on computer information systems projects as part of a team.
  3. Students will demonstrate the ability to plan for lifelong learning and professional development in computer information systems.
  4. Students will explain how their faith informs professional decision making in computer information systems.
  5. Students will communicate effectively with project stakeholders to identify all requirements.
  6. Students will successfully manage a computer information systems project from proposal to implementation.
  7. Students will design solutions that effectively inhibit threats to information and system security.
  8. Students will demonstrate the ability to recommend computer information systems solutions, including multiple ethical frameworks in their analysis.

Locations Offered

North Fresno Campus

Suggested Prior Coursework

  • MATH 140 - Pre-Calculus Credits 4

Note:

For more information on General Education requirements, please see: General Education: Degree Completion Students  

Required Courses

  • BIB 314 - Jesus and the Christian Community Credits 3
  • BIB 453 - Biblical Perspectives for Technology Services Credits 3
  • CIS 302 - Discrete Structures Credits 3
  • CIS 312 - Introduction to Computer Information Systems Credits 3
  • CIS 320 - Computer Programming for Information Systems Credits 3
  • CIS 330 - Operating Systems Credits 3
  • CIS 340 - Data Communications and Networks Credits 3
  • CIS 352 - Systems Analysis and Design Credits 3
  • CIS 380 - Database Management Systems Credits 3
  • CIS 390 - Ethics in Computing Credits 3
  • CIS 440 - Systems and Network Security Credits 3
  • CIS 457 - Information Systems Project Management Credits 3
  • CIS 480 - Application Development with Database Credits 3
  • CIS 490 - Computer Information Systems Project Credits 1

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

You already have a lot going on in your life, which is why our degree completion programs are designed to meet you where you are. You'll be surrounded by other students who will support and encourage you, by faculty mentors who are invested in your success, by opportunities to connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world, and by connections to the employers who will help you move forward in your career.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or visit campus for a paper application)
    * There is a $40 application fee, which may be waived if you meet with a representative.
  • Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
    • GED Transcripts OR any AA, AS, AS-T, AA-T from an accredited College or University as proof of High School graduation
    • This includes any military transcripts you may have, along with your military release forms (DD214).​​
  • Complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
    Enroll in the minimum number of units per semester to qualify for loans.
  • Schedule an appointment with your Student Financial Services Advisor 559-453-2041 sfs@fresno.edu

Requirements

  • Minimum 2.4 GPA
  • 6 transferable baccalaureate-level units (60 transferable baccalaureate-level units are required to begin major cohort)
  • Two years post-secondary experience
  • Check your specific program's requirements

*Applicants who do not meet the admissions requirements may be considered for admission by the Admission Selection Committee. Additional documents may be required. Please ask your Admission Representative for details.

Program Requirements

  • Minimum 2.4 GPA
  • 60 transferable baccalaureate-level units
  • Two years post-secondary experience

Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information

Computer Science (AS-T) to Computer Information Systems, B.S.

BS courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BS major has no lower-division major or co-requisite courses that could be fulfilled by the ADT.
  • This program is offered as evening accelerated

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

Transfer Agreements

The following guidelines are used when considering transfer credit:

  • Courses completed at a regionally or ABHE, ATS, TRACS, or AARTS accredited institution
  • Baccalaureate-level courses
  • Grade of C- or better
  • Courses are not duplicate to credit already received
  • All GE and major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail
  • No lab is required for Area 5 Physical & Biological Sciences
  • Some majors have lower division prerequisites. Select an institution below to see the school's general education and lower division major requirements

View full transfer policy  Find agreements for your school

*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the FPU Registrar’s Office.

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-admission

To reenter into the Degree Completion program within 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to complete the Degree Completion Re-admission Form. An academic advisor will determine if the student may reenter and if any conditions apply for readmission. The student will be charged at the current tuition rate for any course repeated.

*Note: If student is readmitting after 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to refer to “First Steps to Admission".

Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

The non-matriculated application is for people who are interested in taking baccalaureate classes through the Degree Completion program, but are not seeking to be admitted into that program. Students must complete this Non-matriculated Application Form only once in order to be qualified to take courses. Applicants must also meet the two-year post-secondary experience requirement to take these courses. Financial Aid is not available, and the course limit is six units per semester with a limit of two semesters total.

For more information, or for help filling out this application, please contact Graduate and Degree Completion Admissions at (559) 453-3690.

Two-year Graduation Guarantee

FPU Degree Completion program guarantees you can complete your degree in just two years. If you meet the qualification requirements, fulfill your responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete your major in a 2-yr. period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete your undergraduate degree.

Incoming requirements
  • Have at least 60 transferable units 
  • Have at least a 2.4 transfer GPA
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Have most of your general education courses complete
  • Enroll in an average of 15 units per semester; not including repeated courses.
  • Remain in good academic standing by maintaining an institutional grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • Enroll in the required number of consecutive semesters: 3-4 semesters depending on number of units transferred in
  • Make up units for any failed courses during the guarantee period, which may require you to take more than 15 units per semester.
  • Fulfill all graduation requirements, including core curriculum, major/minor requirements, and upper division course work requirements.
    • Two Year Guarantee: complete enough upper division courses to have at least 40 upper division units by the end of the 4-semester timeframe.
    • Take all required courses during the semester recommended by your Academic Advisor.
  • Register for all upcoming courses during the registration period.
* If you are transferring to FPU from the California Community College system with an AA-T or AS-T, your FPU lower-division general education [GE] requirements may be fulfilled. 

Two-Year Transfer Guarantee for ADT Pathways

FPU guarantees a student with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) from the California Community College system, can complete their degree in just two years. If a student meets the qualification requirements, fulfills the responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete their major in a 2-year period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete their undergraduate degree at FPU.

Incoming requirements
  • 60 transferable units [grades of C- or better] from the California Community College system with a completed ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer)
  • Selected an ADT matched (similar) pathway from FPU’s undergraduate degree programs
  • Have completed the necessary pre-requisites in the discipline specific to intended major
  • Have at least a 2.4 transfer GPA
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Enroll in an average of 15- 18 units per semester; not including repeated courses.
  • Remain in good academic standing by maintaining an institutional grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • Enroll in the required number of consecutive semesters: 3-4 semesters depending on number of units transferred in
  • Make up units for any failed or withdrawn courses during the guarantee period, which may require you to take more than 15-18 units per semester
    • For TUG you may have to enroll in a summer semester.
  • Fulfill all graduation requirements, including core curriculum, major requirements, and upper division course work requirements.
    • Two Year Guarantee: complete enough upper division courses to have at least 40 upper division units by the end of the 4-semester time frame.
  • Take all required courses during the semester recommended by your Academic Advisor.
  • Register for all upcoming courses during the registration period.
  • Any courses from a Community College with “D+” or lower are non-transferable and require additional courses and semesters to graduate.
  • This guarantee may not apply to students starting in a spring or summer semester start (TUG only).
  • This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements: 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major.

Cost & Financial Aid

The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in education your journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.

Tuition & Financial Aid

2022-23
Tuition per Unit Amount
SW, ECD, LA, BM, OL $530
HCA, RN to BSN, CIS, CRIM, CML $505
General Ed and Electives $530
Other Costs Amount
Student services fee (per semester) $100
2021-22
Tuition per Unit Amount
SW, ECD, LA, BM, OL $520
HCA, RN to BSN, CIS, CRIM, CML $495
General Ed and Electives $520
Other Costs Amount
Student services fee (per semester) $100

* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary. 

Types of aid

Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Career Opportunities

Technology is one of the fastest growing job sectors, and demand for technologists in the Central Valley is projected to grow as much as 40 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a degree in computer information systems, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers within information technology.

Career Possibilities

  • Computer system analyst
  • Computer and information system manager
  • Web developer
  • Database administrator 

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center