Advancing Local Degree Programs using the IS Model Curriculum

Denise R. McGinnis, Gayla Jo SlausonMesa State CollegeISECON’2003November 7, 2003

Discussion Topics

History of Mesa State College Evolution of our CIS program Involvement with AITP/EDSIG Model curriculum used to support our new

major in CIS Model curriculum testing Mesa State College’s participation Questions?

History of Mesa State College

Mesa State College is a liberal arts college Junior college, 4-year college, graduate degrees

Colorado state college system Grand Junction – founded in 1881 Today…

Light manufacturing Service industries Area hospitals, a regional airport Tourism and recreational opportunities

Growth of over 7% since 2000

Evolution of our CIS program

Offered computer courses Concentration in the BBA program

CISB (Computer Information Systems in Business)

AA in CISB Minor in CISB

Bachelor of Science in CIS Started the program in 2000 Continuing struggles…

Involvement with AITP/EDSIG Attending ISECON since 1987 CISB concentration aligned with AITP model

curriculum Business core was important Limited number of hours allowed in the

concentration Student chapter of AITP (DPMA)

Encouraged student membership

Model curriculum used to support our new major in CIS Technology atmosphere in Colorado Approval process for a new major 1997 Model Curriculum assisted:

Guidelines for our curriculum Support for new courses Support for an additional faculty member Support for a “dedicated” laboratory

Approval given and graduated new majors that year…

Cooperation – Campus-wide

Computer Science department Visual Basic as a service course First course in our program IS’2002.5 course

UTEC – Technical school Hardware/software course Sophomore-level course IS’2002.4 course

Logical courses

Model curriculum testing

Opportunity to participate Volunteer basis Assist in authoring the core examination for ICCP

Commitment: Travel to Alabama Time

Benefits Knowledge of learning units Examination for students (beta) Assessment of our new program

Mesa State College’s participation Assisted in authoring core examination (2/2003-

3/2003) Over 50 students took the core examination during

spring semester of 2003 (4/2003) Average higher than the national average Majority scored over 50

Assisted in authoring learning units for business courses (6/2003-8/2003)

Assisted in the review of the core examination (6/2003)

Conclusions and Discussion

Benefits exceeded the commitment All faculty contributed Students benefited the most

Model curriculum New major Assessment

Questions?