Nova Southeastern University - Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences

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.

Master of Science in Computer Information Systems

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 core courses, two research project courses, 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

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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

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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

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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

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