For the fifth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report named the Colorado State University College of Business Online Master of Computer Information Systems the No. 1 online information technology program in Colorado.
The Online MCIS climbed 17 positions in the latest rankings, placing in the Top 10 among public institutions and No. 14 overall. The Online MCIS was also recognized as the No. 8 online IT program for veterans. The placement represents faculty achievements, student excellence, opportunities for students to connect with their peers and faculty as well as the quality of the program’s technology and support services.
“Information technology is a highly competitive field, and our Top 10 STEM-designated Online MCIS program imparts the skills and perspective to stay sharp as systems evolve,” CSU College of Business Dean Beth Walker said. “Our innovative classroom technology ensures our online students receive the same high-quality education as their on-campus peers and makes our program accessible to students globally and domestically.”
Designed with students in mind
The Online MCIS fosters advanced technology skills and imparts the necessary business perspectives for students with professional experience in IT fields as well as those interested in making a career change. Flexible access balances students’ professional and lifestyle commitments, allowing them to set their own pace and complete the program in only 18 months or as long as five years.
“Your career and personal circumstances don’t preclude you from participating in a top-tier information technology program,” said Leo Vijayasarathy, Chair of the Department of Computer Information Systems. “The flexibility of the Online Master of Computer Information Systems program enables students from anywhere and at any point in their careers to engage with a nationally accredited business program to develop the skills that employers value.”
Students in the 33-credit, STEM-designated program develop a foundation in computing and business applications and customize their degree by selecting electives that promote their career plans. Five graduate certificates offer another opportunity for students to cultivate a specialized skillset and complete the program with additional certifications on top of their MCIS. Courses earned toward certificates count toward the MCIS, allowing students to customize their skills to their career goal without delaying graduation.
“My primary goal from this program is to combine my learnings from the MCIS program and my undergrad in supply chain to focus on the emerging issues in supply chain and cybersecurity fields. This program is helping me and giving me an opportunity to combine skills and implement them into my professional life.”
– Akankhya Ashavari, MCIS student
The College of Business’ industry-leading lecture-capture technology amplifies that flexibility. Lectures are filmed using 360-degree video from on-campus classes, incorporating multiple camera angles of instructors, presentations and even students’ on-campus peers. Produced and edited in real-time by a dedicated video production staff, these lectures can be viewed live or watched on demand and are available throughout the semester to provide additional review.
The powerful lecture delivery system provides a nearly seamless extension of the on-campus experience, and helps prepare students with the competencies to navigate the ever-evolving demands of a career in information technology.
Online MBA Named #1 in Colorado
U.S. News & World Report ranked the College of Business’ Online MBA program the top in Colorado for the sixth year in a row.
“What I love about this degree is I feel like it’s opened up, in terms of a job perspective, all of these options. Now it’s not necessarily just that I’ll be making more money or just that I get to pick where I live, but it offers me a choice, and choice is really valuable.”
– Mary Kincannon, MCIS alum
Superior student support and access
As a top-ranked online information technology program, the Online MCIS provides the same level of dedicated support services that on-campus students receive. Students learn from accomplished faculty at a Research 1 institution, many of whom incorporate their latest findings into coursework or tap into their own professional experience. In addition to learning from research faculty, students receive extra academic support from instructional coordinators, who draw on their own professional experience and advanced degree to provide extra one-on-one support.
“Whatever courses I have taken, the professors were always supportive and invaluable to answer your questions. The database systems course really helped me get through the on-site interviews.”
– Sooraj Reddy Lankala, MCIS alum
Online students also benefit from the same support system the College of Business provides residential students. Academic advisors regularly meet with students for individualized counseling throughout their academic careers, ensuring they select courses and a graduation timeline that meets their career goals – even when those goals evolve. The College’s dedicated Career Management Center also welcomes online students, helping them with career coaching and mentoring services, resume and interview skills critique and, ultimately, connecting them with corporate partners seeking employees with the proven abilities of a College of Business MCIS graduate.
“Our Online MCIS students come from different backgrounds and different points in their careers,” Vijayasarathy said. “The program caters to their diverse needs while providing the same standard of support our residential students receive. This unique structure serves their needs without compromising the quality of their education.”
The College of Business at Colorado State University is focused on using business to create a better world.
As an AACSB-accredited business school, the College is among the top five percent of business colleges worldwide, providing programs and career support services to more than 2,500 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students. Faculty help students across our top-ranked on-campus and online programs develop the knowledge, skills and values to navigate a rapidly evolving business world and address global challenges with sustainable business solutions. Our students are known for their creativity, work ethic and resilience—resulting in an undergraduate job offer and placement rate of over 90% within 90 days of graduation.
The College’s highly ranked programs include its Online MBA, which has been recognized as the No. 1 program in Colorado for six years running by U.S. News and World Report and achieved No. 16 for employability worldwide from QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The College’s Impact MBA is also ranked by Corporate Knights as a Top 20 “Better World MBA” worldwide.
