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Information Systems and Technology

Wide Angle of Shelby Hall

Choose a Computing Career Path in the Department of  Information Systems and Technology (IST) at the University of South Alabama.

In the Department of Information Systems and Technology we provide a variety of paths to a computing career, and we invite you join us when choosing yours.  At the undergraduate level, we offer three Bachelor of Science degrees: Computer Information Systems, Information Technology, and Health Informatics. 

  • Computer Information Systems (CIS) is our department’s traditional degree, offering a blend of information technology and business.  CIS prepares application developers and data specialists and offers a wide variety of elective choices, including the IT tracks, a Health Informatics certificate, or courses in data analytics or cloud computing.
  • Information Technology (IT) may be the choice for you if you prefer a hands-on technical career.  An IT degree prepares you in fundamental areas like programming and ultimately for a focused, specialized career in one of the following tracks: networking, web publishing, or digital forensics.  Students interested in cybersecurity related courses typically choose this program of study.
  • Health Informatics (HI) is our newest.  Our four-year program readies you for a dynamic, technology-rich healthcare workforce striving to improve patient care while reducing cost.  

Our degree programs are high-quality and career friendly. The CIS and IT programs are ABET-accredited, and students in those majors work alongside Computer Science (CS) majors in their senior capstone experience.  The university is a National Security Agency designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)  with core curricula in the Information Technology degree program that aligns with the cyber defense knowledge units. HI majors complete a one-semester internship, usually with a local hospital or health related IT firm.  All IST majors are strongly encouraged to compete for a paid internship opportunity through our growing industry partner network. There is a healthy mix of traditional, online, and blended class offerings in IST, allowing scheduling flexibility for working and part-time students.  We honor the Alabama Transfers agreement providing for up to two years of transfer credit from state and regional two-year colleges. 

If you already have an undergraduate degree, it is not too late for a career in CIST.  Our master’s program might be the choice for you.  The IST and CS faculties offer a joint M.S. degree in Computer and Information Sciences. Choose the specialization in Computer information systems, and you can earn your computing degree.  

For those seeking a career in academic or industry research science, IST and CS jointly offer a doctoral degree, a Ph.D. in Computing.

Welcome. We are IST, and we have a career for you.

Angela Clark
Senior Instructor and Chair
Department of Information Systems and Technology
University of South Alabama