Students should consider this potential work experience when evaluating programs. The practical nature of this program means that internships often play a large role. Since these professionals interact with different business levels and personnel, they usually need strong business, communication, and organizational skills, as well as leadership, decision-making, and analytical capabilities. Most programs teach learners how technology can improve organizational processes and decisions. Students often take courses in networks, systems, and database administration, along with some business analysis and support training classes. 'You can think of CIS as a very specialized application domain of CS,' Shah says.

With the help of Chirag Shah, an associate professor at the University of Washington's Information School, we break down what separates these two fields.ĬIS training focuses on the business and solutions-based applications of various computer systems.

Moreover, the field's median annual salary of $88,240 is more than double the median annual salary for all occupations in the U.S.Ĭomputer science (CS) and computer information systems (CIS) represent two popular educational pathways into this industry, but many people struggle to differentiate between these two disciplines. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13% job growth between 20 for computer and IT professionals - nearly three times faster than the national average. CIS can be thought of as a very specialized application domain of CS.įew industries offer students a more promising outlook than those in the computer and information technology field.CS tend to be more technical, whereas CIS focuses more on practical applications.

Depending on your interests and professional goals, CIS or CS careers might be a better fit.

Although similar, computer information systems and computer science are distinct fields.

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