Information Systems

Jump to the major map

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2021-2022

School of Business

Program description

The Bachelor of Science in Information Systems prepares students for successful careers as information systems professionals through a curriculum that combines technical computing knowledge, skills and techniques with relevant business knowledge. The curriculum provides hands-on experience in supporting the secure delivery and management of information systems, buoys career success through rigorous academic inquiry, and supports the information systems needs of the business community-at-large throughout Greater Richmond.

REAL opportunities are found in INFO 491, INFO 492, and INFO 493.

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Information Systems produces competitive graduates for entry-level roles in information technology (IT). Through hands-on training, alumni find positions in programming, software development, web development, networking, cyber security, and database administration. Students also build management skills and are well-suited to accept roles in management, business systems analysis, IT consulting, data analytics, and IT implementation. Departmental partnerships with private and public sector organizations allow resume- and skills-building opportunities. Our alumni are employed in all sectors of the economy including multinational companies, local small businesses, start-ups, and state and federal agencies.

Change of major requirements

Students are eligible for admission into the advanced business program with a major in the School of Business upon meeting the minimum cumulative GPA requirement and successful completion of the business foundation coursework as outlined in the Bulletin here.

Bachelor-level job titles

Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer Security Analyst
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer User Support Specialists
Database Administrator
Information Technology Project Managers
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Programmer
Systems Analyst
Web Administrators

Graduate and professional level job titles

Chief Technology Officer
Cybersecurity Specialist
Director of Information Technology
Information Technology Auditor

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Information Systems

Information Systems, accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's

Plan of study in Bulletin

Information Systems

Information Systems, accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 200 or SCMA 212 or BUSN 212
SCMA 302

Science required

Natural Sciences requirement only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare

Transfer Maps

View Transfer Maps for this major

Contact information

Department name:

Information Systems

Building/room location:

Snead Hall, Room B4210

Phone:

(804) 828-1732

Email:

businfosys@vcu.edu

https://business.vcu.edu/academics/information-systems/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
Take 15 credits per semester and maintain a 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare your major in 2 years and graduate in 4 years.
Take the math placement assessment and register for math classes each semester until you complete calculus (MATH 200 or BUSN 212).

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations.
Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
Consider applying to the Honors College.
Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living learning community.
Attend BOSS days to get to know business-specific student organizations & resources, stop by at least 3 tables, and choose organizations to join like the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP).
Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore all the student organizations available for you to join.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate.
Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
Explore funding for international opportunities.
Complete the major and career assessment for business majors to see the top 4 majors that fit your skills, interests, and motivators for working abroad.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
Excel in BUSN 225 Winning Presentations to develop the public speaking and communication skills employers want.
Learn about and capitalize on your professional strengths by taking a free assessment like CliftonStrengths or True Colors with the Office of Student Engagement.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
Create a draft resume, submit to VMock for initial feedback, and meet with a career coach in Business Career Services to debrief.
Join VCU Bizconnect to meet VCU business alumni and to schedule informational interviews with alumni to learn more about your major and career options.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
Be prepared for a challenging year of accounting, economics, and math classes by attending free tutoring sessions at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
Earn grades of C or higher in INFO 202 and MATH 211 bearing in mind that INFO 202 is a corequisite to INFO 300.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
Consider joining more School of Business student organizations by attending BOSS days to get to know the business-specific organizations you can join.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
Complete a career exploration appointment with Business Career Services to investigate opportunities for working abroad.
Learn about and capitalize on your professional strengths by taking a free assessment like CliftonStrengths or True Colors with the Office of Student Engagement.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
Talk to Business Career Services about applying to externship opportunities specifically for second-year students.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Conduct 3 informational interviews on VCU Bizconnect to expand your network and gain more knowledge into potential career paths.
Information Systems internships recruit heavily in the fall of your junior year so have your resume reviewed by Business Career Services before you leave for the summer.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
Complete INFO 350, INFO 361, INFO 364, INFO 370, and INFO 461 to meet degree prerequisites and to make sure you graduate on time.
Talk to your advisor about your eligibility for INFO 493 Internship in Information Systems, which requires a 3.2+ major GPA and 12+ credit hours in upper-level information systems classes.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Design a community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
Attend BOSS days to support your student organization and recruit new members.
Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
Explore your international interests and sign up for the Connect Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect and get matched 1:1 with a business mentor who has worked abroad.
Review the resume resource to become a competitive applicant to multinational companies by listing globally-focused Information Systems (INFO) projects on your resume.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor.
Update your ePortfolio.
Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
Advance your membership in the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and your professional network by attend member-only meetings.
Attend alumni panel events like Black in Business, First 100 Days, or Women in Business to hear from business professionals who were once in your shoes.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
Research professional credentials like the Information Systems Analyst (ISA) certification or the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) licensure.
Talk to advisors, faculty, and Business Career Services about graduate school versus a job.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
Ace BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam in your final year.
Know the INFO 465 and MGMT 434 prerequisites and talk to your advisor to make sure you're on track.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
Get connected with the Business Alumni Society (BAS) before you graduate.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
By serving as a mentoring liaison to international students through the Connect Mentoring program, develop your leadership skills as you recruit, educate, and train fellow School of Business majors.
Check Handshake for weekly job listings from multinational companies.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
Talk to your information systems professors about ways to get connected in DevOps.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
Gain your second 1:1 mentor through the Connect Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect.
Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2021-2022

Information Systems

School of Business

Concentration(s):

No concentration

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives. Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center. Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills. Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help. Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner. Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals. Take 15 credits per semester and maintain a 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare your major in 2 years and graduate in 4 years. Take the math placement assessment and register for math classes each semester until you complete calculus (MATH 200 or BUSN 212).	Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations. Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks. If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council. Consider applying to the Honors College. Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living learning community. Attend BOSS days to get to know business-specific student organizations & resources, stop by at least 3 tables, and choose organizations to join like the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore all the student organizations available for you to join.	Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU. Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa. Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate. Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101. Explore funding for international opportunities. Complete the major and career assessment for business majors to see the top 4 majors that fit your skills, interests, and motivators for working abroad.	Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists. Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities. Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake. Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader. Excel in BUSN 225 Winning Presentations to develop the public speaking and communication skills employers want. Learn about and capitalize on your professional strengths by taking a free assessment like CliftonStrengths or True Colors with the Office of Student Engagement.	Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study. Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page. Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities. Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future. Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor. Create a draft resume, submit to VMock for initial feedback, and meet with a career coach in Business Career Services to debrief. Join VCU Bizconnect to meet VCU business alumni and to schedule informational interviews with alumni to learn more about your major and career options.
Experience	Year 2	Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience. Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes. Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center. Be prepared for a challenging year of accounting, economics, and math classes by attending free tutoring sessions at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead. Earn grades of C or higher in INFO 202 and MATH 211 bearing in mind that INFO 202 is a corequisite to INFO 300.	Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty. Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit. Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities. Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere. If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association. Consider joining more School of Business student organizations by attending BOSS days to get to know the business-specific organizations you can join.	Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization. Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses. Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty. Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Complete a career exploration appointment with Business Career Services to investigate opportunities for working abroad. Learn about and capitalize on your professional strengths by taking a free assessment like CliftonStrengths or True Colors with the Office of Student Engagement.	Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field. Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work. Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job. Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio. Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events. Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value. Talk to Business Career Services about applying to externship opportunities specifically for second-year students.	Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest. Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation. Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans. Conduct 3 informational interviews on VCU Bizconnect to expand your network and gain more knowledge into potential career paths. Information Systems internships recruit heavily in the fall of your junior year so have your resume reviewed by Business Career Services before you leave for the summer.
Experience	Year 3	See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning. Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning. Complete INFO 350, INFO 361, INFO 364, INFO 370, and INFO 461 to meet degree prerequisites and to make sure you graduate on time. Talk to your advisor about your eligibility for INFO 493 Internship in Information Systems, which requires a 3.2+ major GPA and 12+ credit hours in upper-level information systems classes.	Design a community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship. Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU. Attend BOSS days to support your student organization and recruit new members. Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center.	Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning. Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer. Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals. Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume. Explore your international interests and sign up for the Connect Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect and get matched 1:1 with a business mentor who has worked abroad. Review the resume resource to become a competitive applicant to multinational companies by listing globally-focused Information Systems (INFO) projects on your resume.	Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor. Update your ePortfolio. Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience. Advance your membership in the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and your professional network by attend member-only meetings. Attend alumni panel events like Black in Business, First 100 Days, or Women in Business to hear from business professionals who were once in your shoes.	Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship. Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility. Research professional credentials like the Information Systems Analyst (ISA) certification or the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) licensure. Talk to advisors, faculty, and Business Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met. Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree. Ace BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam in your final year. Know the INFO 465 and MGMT 434 prerequisites and talk to your advisor to make sure you're on track.	Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization. Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps. Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Get connected with the Business Alumni Society (BAS) before you graduate.	Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field. Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations. Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation. By serving as a mentoring liaison to international students through the Connect Mentoring program, develop your leadership skills as you recruit, educate, and train fellow School of Business majors. Check Handshake for weekly job listings from multinational companies.	Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers. Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools. Talk to your information systems professors about ways to get connected in DevOps.	Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities. Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter. Gain your second 1:1 mentor through the Connect Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect. Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.