B.S.B.A. in Information Systems
Lawrence Township, USA
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Rider practices rolling admissions
Key Summary
About: Study the B.S.B.A. in Information Systems at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. This STEM, AACSB‑accredited programme blends business and computer technology to apply IT in enterprises. You'll learn systems design, development and management, data analysis and cybersecurity, and you'll do project work linked to real business settings. You're encouraged to complete a full‑semester co‑op or a summer internship during your junior year. The campus sits about 60 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia.
Career Outcomes: Common career opportunities include information systems consultant, computer systems administrator, cybersecurity analyst, application developer, social media consultant, business intelligence analyst, database administrator.
Develop an understanding of business and how to use technology to help the business enterprise realize its goals.
Study at one of only a handful of NJ schools with AACSB accreditation. You will combine your interest in computers with a career-oriented business curriculum. This program will provide the coursework to develop an understanding of business and how to use technology to help the business enterprise realize its goals.
The Information Systems (IS) degree is a STEM degree which combines computer technology courses with business courses to teach students the application of computer technology in a business environment. It prepares students for a number of jobs in information technology (IT) departments.
Students with a major in information systems develop a solid understanding of the use, design, development, and management of information systems and information technology. Rider's information systems courses are designed to give students the opportunity to develop and manage a variety of projects that can be applied to real business settings immediately.
Increasingly, organizations that seek individuals with an information systems specialization expect excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal and analytical skills. All information systems students are encouraged to participate in a full semester co-op or summer internship experience during their junior year.
Information Systems vs Computer Science
An information systems degree differs from a computer science (CS) degree in its focus. The computer science degree integrates coursework in mathematics, science and engineering to focus on the programming and development of computer systems. The information systems degree blends business and technology, and features courses on the application of computer systems to train students how to use them practically within a business environment.
While both degrees are great preparation for a career in information technology, the information systems degree prepares students for jobs that support the use of computers in a business enterprise. Students seeking roles related to the development of new computer applications and electronic components will prepare for those opportunities with a computer science degree.
Internships and co-ops
Take advantage of our internship program, during the summer of your junior or senior year, to earn academic credit, hone your skills and build your résumé in a paid position. Recent placements for internships and co-ops include Bloomberg, Dow Jones, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Fidelity Investments.
An Information Systems graduate will demonstrate the ability to:
- Design and develop user-friendly applications, employing best practices in programming, including effective syntax, logical structure, and adherence to industry standards.
- Utilize and administer computer networking and telecommunication technologies, demonstrating proficiency in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting network infrastructure.
- Employ relational databases to effectively organize, query, and manage business data, considering data integrity, normalization, and security requirements.
- Analyze and evaluate emerging trends and issues in Information Systems, assessing their impact on businesses and society, and identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Apply ethical reasoning and ethical frameworks to guide the design, implementation, and use of Information Systems, considering privacy, security, and social implications.
The required freshman-level information systems core course trains students to apply practical knowledge in their use of computer-based productivity tools. Core courses also allow students to develop an understanding of enterprise integration applications such as SAP R/3. The courses also explain the value of electronically integrating the major functional areas of an organization in order to facilitate more effective management decision-making.
Students gain an understanding of the enabling information technologies (IT) that organizations use to develop and sustain a strategic and competitive position in the marketplace. Students also learn about the benefits and drawbacks of adopting and using these information technologies.
Students with a major or a minor in information systems will be able to demonstrate their understanding of information technology by applying their technical knowledge and skills to provide a practical solution to a business problem, business need or business opportunity.
Students who satisfactorily complete a minimum of three courses with at least one-third SAP hands-on content in each course have the opportunity to earn the SAP Student Recognition Award Certificate.
4-Year Plan
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
| Year 1 Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| Year 2 Fall Semester
Spring Semester
|
|---|---|
| Year 3 Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| Year 4 Fall Semester
Spring Semester
|
1 CIS 185 Information Systems Essentials and CBA 110 Business in Action can be taken in the Fall or Spring of Year 1.
2 Students may be required to take MSD 104 Intro to Quantitative Methods based on placement. MSD 104 counts as a 3-credit Free Elective.
3 Students must take four liberal arts electives; 3 credits must be in Natural Science, 3 credits must be in Social Science, 3 credits must be in Humanities, and 3 credits can be any course offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.
4 Students are required to complete 6 credits of International Business Electives which can be fulfilled as major courses (FIN 308) or free electives.
3-Year Plan
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
| Year 1 Fall Semester
JTerm
Spring Semester
Summer Semester
| Year 2 Fall Semester
JTerm
Spring Semester
Summer Semester
|
|---|---|
| Year 3 Fall Semester
|
Notes:
- The above plan assumes no AP or other credits were transferred into Rider University.
- Students are required to take 6 credits of International Business Electives which can be fulfilled as major courses or as free elective courses.
- Business Honors students will have a different sequence.
- Students may be required to take MSD 104 Intro to Quantitative Methods based on placement. MSD 104 counts as a 3-credit Free Elective.
- Students must take four liberal arts electives; 3 credits must be in Natural Science, 3 credits must be in Social Science, 3 credits must be in Humanities, and 3 credits can be any course offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.
- For the Leadership Elective, choose from CBA 320 Case Analysis & Presentation, LDP 398 Co-op Experience Seminar, LDP 200 Foundations of Leadership, LDP 220 Service Learning Through MOB, MGT 355 Team Management, or MGT 363 Management Skills.
- Students are strongly encouraged to complete a credit-bearing experiential course (e.g., internship, co-op, study tour, study abroad, ENT 448 Seminar in Small Business Consulting, ECO 450 Seminar in Economic Research).
At Rider, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all, and our aid packages are no exception. In fact, 99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and financial aid. Let us work closely with you and your family to find scholarships and aid that are right for you.
| 99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and financial aid | $21.8 Average student assistance package | $71.2 million Total institutional funds awarded by Rider for the 21–22 school year |
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| 11% job growth projected through 2030, much faster than average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | $159K+ median annual salary for computer and information systems managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021) | 100% of 2020-21 IS graduates are employed full-time or continuing their education |
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Entry-level IS professionals are well-paid and have strong future earnings potential.
Common careers:
- Information Systems Consultant
- Computer Systems Administrator/Cloud Administrator
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Application Developer
- Social Media Consultant
- Computer Programmer
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Database Administrator
- Network Administrator
- Data Analyst
- Enterprise Architect
