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I
n this era of rapid technological growth, each newday
brings demands for increased proficiencies of those
whose professions intimately involve computers
and information technology, e.g., creation of computer/
software products or information systems, teaching
computing, using computing technology in education
and training, managing computing resources, or
conducting research.
A major force in educational innovation, the Graduate
School of Computer and Information Sciences
(
GSCIS) provides programs of distinction to prepare
students for leadership roles. Its strengths include
distinguished faculty members, cutting-edge curricula,
and flexible online and campus-based formats for its
M.S. and Ph.D. programs. It has approximately 1,500
graduate students. All of the school’s programs enable
working professionals to earn their degrees without
interrupting their careers. On-campus evening master’s
degree programs are tailored to meet the needs of those
who reside in South Florida.
Online master’s degree programs, which require no
campus attendance, are available for part-time or full-
time students worldwide. A unique doctoral program
has on-campus and online components that are tailored
for working professionals as well as full-time students.
The school has online students living in almost every
state in the United States and in 20 foreign countries.
Ranked by
Forbes
magazine as one of the nation’s top 20
online programs, and listed in the Princeton Review’s
The Best Distance Learning Graduate Schools
,
GSCIS
pioneered online graduate education with its creation
of the electronic classroom. It has been offering online
programs and programs with online components since
1983.
Over the years, the school developed many
unique software tools to enhance the online learning
environment. It now offers more than 300 online
classes annually. The school is a certified member
of the Electronic Campus of the Southern Regional
Education Board, and all 10 of its programs are offered
via this highly successful consortium. It also participates
in several federal and military programs including the
DANTES Distance Learning Program, and the United
States Army’s online initiative,
e
ArmyU.
Online students useWeb sites to access course materials,
announcements, the electronic library, and other
information and participate in a range of activities that
facilitate frequent interaction with their professors and
fellow students. Online activities include forums using
threaded discussion boards, chatrooms, email, and
electronic classroom sessions.
Among the M.S. programs offered on-campus or online
are computer information systems, computer science,
information technology in education, information
security, information technology, and management
information systems. Most programs offer concentrations
in information security. The master’s degree programs
require 36 credit hours and may be completed in
12–18
months. GSCIS master’s degree students may
apply for early admission to the doctoral program,
which provides the opportunity to earn the Ph.D.
in a shorter time. Additionally, graduate certificates
in information security require 15 credit hours. The
curricula of both the graduate certificates and the M.S.
in information security have been certified by the U.S.
National Security Agency for compliance with the
requirements of the Committee on National Security
Systems Standards.
Doctoral programs include computer information
systems (with an optional concentration in information
security), computer science, computing technology
in education, and information systems (with
optional concentrations in information science and
information security). Students come to the campus
for participation in courses, seminars, and dissertation
counseling, attending several on-campus weekends per
year while taking courses. Between meetings, students
work on assignments and projects and participate in
online activities that facilitate frequent interaction
with faculty members and other students.
The Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences