Colorado State University’s online Master of Computer Information Systems program is ranked as one of the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The MCIS program ranks No. 30 among the best online graduate Computer Information Technology programs in the publication’s 2017 Best Online Programs list.
Student services and technology
The MCIS program, in the CSU College of Business, was ranked based on admissions selectivity, faculty credentials, graduation rates and academic and career support services offered to students. The program ranked highly for student services and technology.
“I could relate what I studied in the two and a half years,” said Deepak Mirani, a 2015 MCIS graduate who has spent over a decade in the IT industry.
As a busy manager at PayPal, Mirani didn’t have the time to experiment with many of the projects he was able to tackle and learn from as an MCIS student.
“I’ve done some CIS; I’ve done some hands-on coding; I’ve done some development projects. It gives me an edge,” Mirani said. “I really enjoyed doing that. It also changes your perspective.”
Although CSU’s MCIS program is offered on campus, a majority of students study at a distance through streaming video that brings the full classroom dynamic to students around the globe within hours of the actual campus lecture. This lecture-capture technology allows distance students to experience the full Fort Collins classroom experience. More than 300 students in 32 states and eight countries are currently enrolled in the program.
Highest ranked program in Colorado
“We’re very proud of this program, its faculty, program staff, and students,” said Jon Clark, chair of the Computer Information Systems department. “We’re especially proud to be the highest ranked program in Colorado. The ranking is significant considering the highly competitive field of schools that have launched new programs throughout the country.”
U.S. News notes that this degree program is for anyone interested in programming, designing or sharing technology expertise; in fact, half of the students enrolled in the program have limited technology backgrounds. The MCIS program allows students to earn graduate certificates in areas such as business intelligence and advanced IT project management so graduates go on to launch careers as database administrators, systems consultants, and business analysts.
First of its kind in the country
The MCIS degree program is completed with 33 credit hours and prepares students for roles in information technology function and project management roles. The program has a 99 percent career placement rate among their graduates.
Established in 1962, the CIS program at Colorado State University’s College of Business was one of the first of its kind to be developed in the United States.
