The Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Information Systems is designed for students who hold bachelor’s degrees in fields other than information systems and who wish to continue their education in information systems but do not aspire to a master’s degree. Candidates for the certificate are required to complete a total of 30 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including the courses listed below or their equivalents, with a minimum of 24 credit hours of study in information systems to be taken at VCU.

The certificate is designed to provide more than a basic knowledge of information systems. Specifically, persons completing the program are expected to achieve competency in understanding information systems terminology, concepts and principles; computer program design, writing and testing; systems analysis/design through proper application and knowledge of current hardware and software; and planning and carrying out system development and the management of information systems. Students acquiring these skills are well-received in the business community and in governmental organizations.

Required courses
Application development track
Business analysis track
Network management track

	Credits
Major core (21 credits)

INFO 300 Computer Hardware and Software	3
INFO 350 Intermediate Programming	3
INFO 360 Business Information Systems	3
INFO 361 Systems Analysis and Design	3
INFO 364 Database Systems	3
INFO 370 Fundamentals of Data Communications	3
INFO 465 Projects in Information Systems	3

Upper-level electives	9

Total	30

Approved electives (three credits each)

INFO 450 Advanced Programming
INFO 451 Java Support for E-business
INFO 461 Information Systems Planning
INFO 463 Business Process Engineering
INFO 468 Information Engineering
INFO 472 LAN Administration
INFO 474 Internetworking and TCP/IP
INFO 491 Topics in Information Systems
INFO 492 Independent Study in Information Systems
INFO 493 Internship in Information Systems

Note: Students who wish to concentrate their electives within a track to gain enhanced proficiency may do so. The recommended tracks are:

Application development: INFO 450 and 451
Network management: INFO 472 and 474
Business analysis: INFO 461, 463 and 468

Exceptions to prerequisite courses require recommendation of the adviser and permission of the department chair.
Note: EBUS/INFO 202 Introduction to E-business Technologies is a prerequisite for INFO 350. EBUS/INFO 202 cannot be used as an elective within the information systems major, but may be used in the “Business Foundation Program under the category Business and/or non-business electives.”