OVERVIEW
The Department of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis (ISQA) offers graduate certificates in the following areas:
- Information Assurance
- Project Management
- Systems Analysis and Design
The goal of the ISQA graduate certificate programs is to allow post-baccalaureate students and working professionals to expand their educational background and complete work that could count towards a graduate degree. Earning the graduate certificates will enhance skill sets; provide exposure to new information technologies, theories and practices; allow individuals to work towards various professional certifications; increase growth potential with employers; and increase prospects of obtaining a graduate degree. The graduate certificate program offers existing technical and managerial professionals the chance to improve and hone their communication skills to aide in their professional development.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Individuals with an undergraduate degree and one to two years of work experience in information systems (IS) related roles are eligible to apply for the ISQA graduate certificate programs.
STRUCTURE OF GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
The ISQA graduate certificates consist of three core courses (9 credits) and one elective (3 credits) for a total of 12 credit hours. Specific course requirements for each graduate certificate are shown below.
There are three prerequisite courses, not counted as part of the 12 credit hours, which may be waived by the chair of the Graduate Program Committee, based on courses already taken, applicable work experience, or the recommendation of faculty teaching the prerequisite courses. These courses are:
- CIST 2100 - Organizations, Applications, and Technology
- ISQA 8040 - An Overview of Systems Development
- ISQA 8050 - Data Organization and Storage
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE
The Information Assurance (IA) Certificate will provide students with the technical, organizational and managerial background to assist in planning, deploying, and managing security technologies to achieve information assurance.
Required Courses - 9 hours
- ISQA 8546 - Computer Security Management
- ISQA 8570 - Information Security Policy and Ethics
- ISQA 8580 - Security Risk Analysis and Management
Select one of the following courses - 3 hours
- ISQA 8530 - E-Commerce Security
- ISQA 8560 - Information Warfare and Security
- ISQA 8080 - Special Topics in Information Assurance
- ISQA 8900 - Independent Research in MIS (must be related to information assurance)
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The Project Management Certificate will provide students with the technical, organizational and managerial background to become project managers, project leaders, information technology managers, and software engineers.
Core Courses - 9 hours
- ISQA 8210 - Managing Software Development
- ISQA 8810 - Information Technology Project Fundamentals
- ISQA 8820 - Project Risk Management
Elective Courses - 3 hours
- ISQA 8196 - Process Reengineering with Information Technology
- ISQA 8220 - Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
- ISQA 8420 - Managing the IS Function
- ISQA 8900 - Independent Research in MIS (must be related to project management)
- ISQA 8080 - Seminar in MIS (must be related to project management)
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
The Systems Analysis and Design Certificate will provide students with advanced technical, organizational and managerial background to become systems or business analysts and software developers.
Core Courses - 9 hours
- ISQA 8210 - Management of Software Development
- ISQA 8220 - Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
- ISQA 8410 - Database Management Systems
Elective Courses - 3 hours
- ISQA 8420 - Managing the IS Function
- ISQA 8106 - Information Systems Architecture and Organization
- ISQA 8900 - Independent Research in MIS (must be related to systems analysis & design)
- ISQA 8080 - Seminar in MIS (must be related to systems analysis & design)
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Complete the on-line application form (U.S. citizen or
international applicant) and submit the application fee to the UNO Graduate College.
On the application you will be given an option to choose the graduate certificate program for which you would like to be considered.
Submit a detailed resume indicating your work experience and background (if applicable).
Note: If you are already admitted to the MIS graduate degree program, you do not need to submit an additional application fee. Alternatively, if you are admitted to a graduate certificate program and decide to switch to an MS in MIS, you will not need to submit additional application fees. - Submit a writing sample from work or previous academic experiences. Alternatively, if you do not have writing sample, please submit a two page double-spaced essay that addresses the following two topics:
- Discussion of two accomplishments that demonstrate your potential for success in the graduate certificate program.
- Discussion of your unique personal qualities and life experiences that distinguish you from other applicants to our graduate program.
For questions regarding the ISQA graduate certificates, please contact Dr. Peter Wolcott, Chairperson, ISQA Graduate Program Committee (lpietron@unomaha.edu; 402-554-3158) and/or Ms. Carla Frakes, Graduate Advisor (cfrakes@mail.unomaha.edu; 402-554-2073).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Will the course work completed towards the graduate certificate apply towards the MS in MIS?
The short answer is yes; all graduate level course work i.e., 8xxx courses may be applied towards a master of science degree in MIS (MS MIS). However, students have to apply for admission to the MS MIS program and be admitted. (Please refer to the ISQA website for further information regarding the admission process). - What is the cost of taking courses for the graduate certificate?
For the 2011-12 academic year, non-resident tuition is $645.75 and resident tuition is $245.25 per credit hour. Please visit the UNO Cashiering website to check for the latest tuition and fees. - Who issues the graduate certificates?
The graduate certificates are issued under the authority of the University of Nebraska Graduate College. - Can I complete more than one certificate?
Yes. However, per Graduate College policy, the two certificates must have no more than 1/3 of the courses in common. This would only be a problem with the Project Management and Systems Analysis and Design certificates. If a student were pursuing both certificates, ISQA 8220 - Advanced Systems Analysis and Design - could be applied only towards the certificate in Systems Analysis and Design; ISQA 8420 - Managing the IS Function - could be applied to one certificate or the other, but not both.
This page was last updated on May 16, 2013.