Students interested in the field of information systems have many degree options. Finding the right fit for individual needs is vital for a strong educational foundation that can carry students through graduation and into the professional world. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is proud to offer a modern online information systems degree that addresses the needs of the many related professions and prepares students with crucial skills and knowledge.
What sets the UAB online Bachelor of Science in Information Systems program apart in today’s educational market? Consider these defining characteristics of the program as you pursue a challenging and valuable degree.
A modern approach to online postsecondary education
Online learning is a viable path toward the same degree conferred to students who take courses on campus, and often the only option that works for those who already have significant personal and professional responsibilities to manage. The relatively recent development of effective online education means some people don’t yet understand the established equivalence of a degree earned in person and one completed electronically. However, the degree conferred following the completion of all coursework and other responsibilities electronically is indistinguishable from one earned on campus from UAB. Online students can even walk in the graduation ceremony at the UAB campus, which is both a clear indication of the equivalent value of the degree and a special experience to reward years of hard work.
The identical nature of the online BS IS degree and the traditional, on-campus version is perhaps the most important fact for students to understand at the start of the process of finding an educational institution that meets their needs. However, there are other needs and desires to consider as well. The quality of the program, accomplishments and abilities of the faculty, type of accreditation, and courses offered all play significant roles in selecting an online BS IS program.
Courses and educational development
Students in the BS IS degree program may go on to pursue a variety of roles related to information systems and technology, from system administration careers to IT project management positions. With so many different career paths tied to the degree, it’s important to understand the classes offered to students and the knowledge and skills that develop over the course of the program.
UAB’s IS curriculum includes a variety of classes that help students build a well-rounded knowledge base and then progress to more advanced and specific classes related to both business and technology. The foundation and lower level core courses, which cover topics such as Essentials of Financial Literacy, Principles of Accounting, Quantitative Analysis, and Principles of Microeconomics, give students the business education they need to understand the bigger picture of the companies where they’ll pursue jobs after graduation. This sort of broad-based knowledge makes it easier to integrate with a new employer and understand how decisions made for the business as a whole affect the IT and IS departments and specific positions within them.
The upper level core offers targeted foundational learning through the Information Systems course while continuing to educate students about a variety of business topics. The information systems core includes 24 course hours of focused study on programming, database management, systems analysis, and project management. Paired with elective options such as Information Security Management and Introduction to Business Intelligence and the Strategic Management Capstone Experience seminar course that integrates many business, IT, and IS concepts for final-semester seniors, students can count on an excellent education from UAB.
Accreditation and faculty achievement
UAB’s online educational programs are backed by the same accreditation our on-campus programs have earned. UAB is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Collat School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The backing of these two organizations means a degree earned online at UAB is relevant across the globe.
Similarly, our distinguished faculty have a shared focus on student development that leads to powerful relationships and many networking opportunities. Our educators combine hands-on experience in the business world with the ability to effectively teach students inside the virtual classroom to create courses that emphasize modern issues in the IT and IS realms and the broader business world. The result is a curriculum that prepares students for the modern economy and their roles within it.
Flexibility and support
Students studying online need effective technical support and the flexibility to learn at their own pace at any time. UAB provides for both of these critical needs, starting with student-centered support staff and a 24/7 technical help desk that are ready to assist all learners in addressing potential issues and establish the conditions necessary for effective learning.
Flexibility is one of the most popular reasons students seek online BS IS degree programs. Whether learners are going back to school and don’t want to abandon their current careers, need time to take care of family members, or simply can’t commit to the traditional college schedule, an online degree allows students to learn at their own pace. That’s true whether they closely follow the full-time, four-year schedule or decide to take a part-time approach. Choosing UAB’s online programs means fitting postsecondary education into an existing, busy schedule potentially without making difficult compromises or having to ignore responsibilities.
Taking the next step with UAB
UAB gives students across the country the chance to gain a valuable online information systems degree in an exciting and growing field, no matter when they can complete coursework or where they are located. To learn more, get in touch with an advisor today.
Recommended Readings:
BSIS online program vs. on-campus courses at UAB
What’s the difference between a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts?
Sources:
UAB Collat School of Business: Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
UAB Collat School of Business: Information Systems
UAB Collat School of Business: BSIS Course Descriptions