The Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Information Systems is designed for students who hold bachelor’s degrees in fields other than information systems and who wish to continue their education in information systems but do not aspire to a master’s degree.

The certificate is designed to provide more than a basic knowledge of information systems. Specifically, persons completing the program are expected to achieve competency in understanding information systems terminology, concepts and principles; computer program design, writing and testing; systems analysis/design through proper application and knowledge of current hardware and software; and planning and carrying out system development and the management of information systems. Students acquiring these skills are well-received in the business community and in governmental organizations.

Successful completion of the program provides numerous employment opportunities within business and government organizations as programmers, systems analysts, software analysts and network analysts. Additionally, depending upon the particular mix of electives chosen, graduates are well qualified to sit for the Certificate in Data Processing and Registered Professional Programmer Examinations given under the auspices of the Data Processing Management Association.

Candidates for the certificate are required to complete a total of 30 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including the courses listed below or their equivalents, with a minimum of 24 credit hours of study in information systems to be taken at VCU, after acceptance to the certificate program.

The certificate requires students to take seven (7) required courses and then choose three advanced electives.  Because of prerequisites, you should not expect to take 12 credit hours each semester.  Thus, the certificate will take at least three (3) semesters to complete.

Students admitted to the Certificate Program in Information Systems must meet a 2.50 cumulative grade-point average (CGPA), but this does not guarantee admission.

To view the complete curriculum for this program, please visit the Undergraduate Bulletin .
To view course descriptions and prerequisites, please visit the VCU Courses database.

To learn about information systems faculty and department activities visit the department website

Post Baccalaureate Undergraduate Certificate Academic Regulations.

Registration: All registration (and pre-registration) can be done online. It is critical that you preregister as soon as you are allowed. If you wait, classes you want, may be full.  Academic Calendar

Course loads: Many of our courses (especially those involving programming) are very time-consuming. Because employers expect you to have strong skills and knowledge after completion of the program, it is essential that you leave enough time to devote to coursework. In general, Junior level Information Systems courses take more time of outside class work than Sophomore level courses. The same can be said of Senior level classes in relation to Junior courses. Therefore, do not be surprised if you can not maintain the same course load (number of credits per semester) as you progress through the program without adjusting other responsibilities that require time in your life. For those working full-time, take at most 2 courses. For those working half-time, a 3-course load is reasonable.

Course sequencing: Pay careful attention to prerequisites. Prerequisites for upper-level courses will be enforced. Take 350 as soon as you can after taking EBUS 202. In addition, if you are going to take 450 or 451, take them as soon as possible following 350. It is a major mistake to wait 6 months or more between them because you will have forgotten a significant amount of material.

Summer courses: All of the core courses most likely will be offered in the summer along with INFO 450. If INFO 465 is offered in the summer, it will be in a 12-week session. Don't plan on any other courses being offered, especially electives.

Graduation Applications: must be filed during the first month of the semester in which you plan on graduating. See staff in room 1100 for graduation applications.