A major force in educational innovation, the Graduate School of
Computer and Information Sciences (GSCIS) provides educational
programs of distinction to prepare students for leadership roles
in its disciplines. It is distinguished by its ability to offer
on-campus, online (via the Internet) and combined
on-campus/online formats that enable professionals to pursue MS
and PhD degrees without career interruption. The school also
welcomes students who wish to earn the MS or PhD full-time,
whether on-campus or online.
Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic, not-for-profit
independent institution dedicated to providing high-quality
educational programs of distinction from preschool through the
professional and doctoral levels, as well as service to the
community. It prepares students for lifelong learning and
leadership roles in business and the professions. It offers
academic programs at times convenient to students, employing
innovative delivery systems and rich learning resources on
campus, at distant sites and online. The university fosters
inquiry, research and creative professional activity by uniting
faculty members and students in acquiring and applying knowledge
in clinical, community and professional settings.
In addition to its regional accreditation by the Commission on
Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, NSU
has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in
Information Assurance Education by the U.S. National Security
Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Its curriculum in
information security has been certified by NSA for compliance
with CNSS standards. Collaborative programs include DANTES, the
U.S. Army's eArmyU initiative, and the Southern Regional
Education Board's Electronic Campus. The school has a chapter of
Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), the International Honor Society for the
Computing and Information Disciplines, and a student chapter of
the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the
largest in Florida.
This 36 credit-hour program offers a course of study leading to
the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems. It
focuses on the technological foundations of computer information
systems including areas such as database systems, human-computer
interaction, data and computer communications, information
security, computer graphics, software engineering and
object-orientation. It is designed to give students a thorough
knowledge of the field and to provide an enduring foundation for
future professional growth. The program blends theory and
practice into a learning experience that develops skills
applicable to complex real-world problems. Its formats offer
full-time students the opportunity to earn the degree in 12
months and working professionals the opportunity to earn the
degree in 12-18 months. In addition, students have the option to
pursue the MS in CIS with a concentration in Information
Security, which requires a total of 42 credit-hours. The
curriculum is consistent with recommendations for a model
curriculum in computer information systems as outlined by the
Association of Computing Machinery (ACM).
Master of Science in Computer Science (Online)
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This 36 credit-hour program offers a course of study leading to
the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science. It is designed to
give students a thorough knowledge of the field and to provide an
enduring foundation for future professional growth. The program
blends theory and practice into a learning experience that
develops skills applicable to complex real-world problems. Its
formats offer full-time students the opportunity to earn the
master's degree in 12 months and working professionals the
opportunity to earn the degree in 12-18 months. The curriculum is
consistent with recommendations for a model curriculum in
computer science as outlined by the Association of Computing
Machinery (ACM).
Master of Science in Computing Technology in Education (Online)
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This 36 credit-hour program is designed to meet the needs of
working professionals such as teachers, educational
administrators and trainers working in either the public or the
private sector. The program blends educational theory and
practice into a learning experience that develops skills
applicable to complex real-world problems. It enhances knowledge
of how computers, software and other forms of high technology can
be used to improve learning outcomes. The program's online format
offers full-time students the opportunity to earn the master's
degree in 12 months and working professionals the opportunity to
earn the degree in 12-18 months. Many of the courses in the
program have been approved for teacher certification in computer
science (grades K-12) or recertification by Florida's Bureau of
Teacher Certification. They may be taken as part of the degree
program or independently. In addition, students have the option
to pursue the MS in CTE with a concentration in Information
Security, which requires a total of 42 credit-hours.
(Satisfactory completion of the master's degree program does not
guarantee that students will meet certificate requirements for
their states.)
Master of Science in Information Security (Online)
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This degree program was developed to address the rapidly growing
global problems of maintaining and securing computer information.
Important areas addressed by the program include threats and
vulnerabilities, cryptography, authentication and access control,
security models, network security, trusted computer systems,
distributed systems security, World Wide Web security,
applications security and security management and policies.
The curriculum in information security has been certified by the
U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) for compliance with the
requirements of the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS)
standards. As a result of this certification, Federal civilian
and military personnel will be permitted to take the school's
certified graduate courses under government sponsorship, and the
school is authorized to issue certificates to students who
complete such courses.
Master of Science in Information Technology (Online)
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This 36 credit-hour program offers a course of study leading to
the Master of Science in Information Technology. It focuses on
meeting the needs of users within an organizational and societal
context through the selection, creation, application, integration
and administration of computing technologies and resources. The
MS in Information Technology has five concentration options:
- Software development
- Information system security
- Educational technology
- Information security management
- Information technology management
Each concentration includes a set of seven or eight core courses
and four or five electives. All courses carry three credit-hours.
The program includes topics such as computer languages, database
systems, human-computer interaction, system analysis and design,
data networks, telecommunications, information security, computer
graphics, software engineering, project management, decision
making, client-server and distributed computing, electronic
commerce and multimedia. Graduates will have a broad technical
understanding of current and emerging technologies in the IT
field and the application of those technologies.
The concentrations in information system security and information
security management include the award of graduate certificates in
information security based upon existing certificate programs
that are recognized by the U.S. Government. Students taking other
concentrations have the option to earn a graduate certificate in
information security by taking additional courses.
Master of Science in Management Information Systems (Online)
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This 36 credit-hour program offers a course of study leading to
the Master of Science (MS) in Management Information Systems. It
focuses on the application of technological concepts of
information systems to the collection, retention and
dissemination of information for management planning and decision
making. The program concentrates on areas such as project
management, decision support systems, computer languages,
client-server and distributed computing, database systems,
telecommunications, system analysis and design, human-computer
interaction, electronic commerce, information security, computer
graphics and multimedia.
The program blends theory and practice into a learning experience
that develops skills applicable to complex real-world problems.
It is designed to give students a thorough knowledge of the field
and to provide an enduring foundation for future professional
growth.
In addition, students have the option to pursue the MS in MIS
with a concentration in Information Security.
Graduate Certificate in Information Security (Online)
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The Graduate Certificate in Information Security is a 15
credit-hour program that requires the completion of five courses.
This program was developed to address the rapidly growing global
problems of maintaining and securing computer information.
Important areas addressed by the programs include threats and
vulnerabilities, cryptography, authentication and access control,
security models, network security, trusted computer systems,
distributed systems security, World Wide Web security,
applications security, and security management and policies.
Two distinct graduate certificates are available:
- Information System Security
- Administration of Information Security
The curriculum in information security has been certified by the
U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) for compliance with the
requirements of the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS)
standards. As a result of this certification, Federal civilian
and military personnel will be permitted to take the school's
certified graduate courses under government sponsorship, and the
school is authorized to issue certificates to students who
complete such courses.
PhD in Computer Information Systems (Online)
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This program offers a course of study leading to the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Information Systems. It is
offered in the cluster format, which combines traditional and
online instruction to provide professionals the opportunity to
pursue graduate study while continuing to work in their current
positions. The program is especially well suited to professionals
in business, government, industry or education who are involved
with research, design, implementation, management, evaluation,
utilization or teaching of computer information systems. It
provides technology-oriented professionals with the knowledge and
ability to develop creative solutions to substantive real-world
problems. Each student must complete eight courses, two research
projects and a dissertation.
NSU now offers students in the PhD in Computer Information
Systems the opportunity to complete a concentration in
information security. The concentration in information security
is recognized by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) based on
its certification of the school's curriculum for compliance with
the requirements of NSA national training standards NSTISSI No.
4011 (Information Systems Security Professionals) and CNSSI No.
4013 (System Administrators). Students who complete the
concentration may also request a graduate certificate.
PhD in Computer Science (Online)
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This program offers a course of study leading to the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science. It is offered in
the cluster format, which combines traditional and online
instruction to give professionals the opportunity to pursue
graduate study while continuing to work in their current
positions. The program is especially well suited to those in
industry, education or government who are involved with one of
the many areas of computer science. It provides research-oriented
professionals with knowledge in the major areas of computer
science and the ability to develop creative solutions to
substantive real-world problems.
This program is offered in the cluster format. While taking
courses, students attend four cluster meetings per year, held
over an extended weekend (Friday, Saturday and half-day Sunday)
at the university. Cluster terms start in March and September.
Cluster weekends are held in March, June, September and December.
They bring together students, faculty and staff members for
participation in courses, dissertation counseling (individual and
group), special lectures and ample opportunity for
student-faculty and student-student interaction. Students must
attend all of their scheduled cluster class sessions.
Between on-campus meetings, students work on assignments and
projects and participate in online activities that facilitate
frequent interaction with the faculty and with other students.
The online component involves use the web to access course
materials, announcements, email, distance library services, the
Electronic Library and other information, and the use of WebCT as
a course management system. Online activities facilitate frequent
student-to-faculty and student-to-student interaction. They are
supported by threaded discussion boards, white boards, chat rooms
and email. In addition, WebCT enables students to submit
assignments online in multimedia formats and to receive their
professors' reviews of assignments online in the same formats.
Students are provided NSU computer accounts but must obtain their
own Internet service providers and use their own computer
systems.
PhD in Computing Technology in Education (Online)
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This program offers a course of study leading to the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computing Technology in Education.
It is offered in both cluster and institute formats, which
combine on-campus and online instruction to provide professionals
the opportunity to pursue graduate study while continuing to work
in their current positions.
This program addresses:
- the use of computing technologies to improve cognition;
- the development, management and evaluation of computing
systems that support the educational process;
- the role of computing and other advanced technology in
education and training.
The program is especially well suited to educational
administrators, college faculty members, directors of academic
computing, teachers of all grades, district and building
technology administrators, industry and armed forces trainers and
instructional system designers and developers. It provides
technology-oriented professionals with the knowledge and ability
to develop creative solutions to substantive real-world problems.
Many of the courses in the program have been approved for teacher
certification in computer science (grades K-12) or
recertification by Florida 's Bureau of Teacher Certification.
They may be taken as part of the degree program or independently.
After students complete the course requirements they may apply
for the educational specialist (EdS) degree.
PhD in Information Systems (Online)
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This program offers a course of study leading to the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Information Systems. It is offered
in both cluster and institute formats, which combine traditional
and online instruction to provide professionals the opportunity
to pursue graduate study while continuing to work in their
current positions. The program is especially well suited to
professionals working in areas such as information system
planning, systems analysis and design, project management,
information system administration or software engineering. It
provides technology-oriented professionals with the knowledge and
ability to develop creative solutions to substantive real-world
problems in information systems.
NSU now offers students in the PhD in Information Systems the
opportunity to complete concentrations in:
- Information Science
- Information Security
