Online Certificate in Information Systems

Prepare for a career in the evolving IT sector.

Ongoing evolution of information technologies has created an expanded need for newly trained IT professionals and leaders. Enhance your skills in programming, database technology and administration, web development and networking. Develop the skills and competencies to impact business, organizational and technical processes and systems to better serve internal constituencies and customers.

Earn a certificate in Information Systems in about a year.

The post-bachelor’s certificate can prepare recent college graduates to expand their skills to better prepare for entry-level information systems jobs. The certificate can also help seasoned professionals prepare for a career change, and mid-career professionals to expand their skillsets and assume new cybersecurity roles and responsibilities.

The online certificate requires only seven classes. The program is completely customizable, and you’ll build your entire program of study from IT elective courses to fill in your skills gaps, align with your professional education needs and support your career growth.

Become your organization’s go-to information systems specialist.

Our online Information Systems certificate prepares students to be information systems specialists across multiple sectors. The certificate is an ideal add-on credential for current IT professionals to increase their programming and management experience and skills. Key competencies for a variety of CompTIA certifications are integrated into and taught across the curriculum.

Certificate Requirements

Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems

An earned bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in this certificate program. This certificate is offered online with options to complete select courses on campus.

21 semester hours from the courses listed. Numbers after course titles represent semester hours earned. Students considering future graduate study should check entrance requirements for several programs before making selections. Graduate programs generally require ISYS302U, ISYS306U, ISYS311U, and/or ISYS355U as undergraduate prerequisites.

ISYS302U Local Area Networks, 4
ISYS303U IT Security, 3
ISYS306U Systems Analysis and Design, 3
ISYS308U Digital Forensics, 3
ISYS311U Database Design/Business Intelligence, 4
ISYS312U Predictive Analytics, 3
ISYS315U Big Data Analytics, 3
ISYS316U Introduction to Business Analytics, 3
ISYS317U Social Engineering, 3
ISYS355U Computer Programming in Java, 4
ISYS356U Computer Programming in Python, 4
ISYS358U Computer Programming in "R", 4
ISYS360U Electronic Commerce, 3
ISYS362U OSINT: Hunting for Cyber Criminals, 3
ISYS365U Cloud Computing: Infrastructure & Services, 3
ISYS370U Introduction to Ethical Hacking & Pen Testing, 3
ISYS375U IT Control and Audit, 3
ISYS398U Selected Topics, 1-6
ISYS399U Independent Study, 1-6
ISYS450U Project Management, 3
ISYS490U Managing IT, 3
ISYS491U IT Security Planning/Risk Management, 3
ISYS492U Consulting and Design of Online Systems, 3
LAW325U CyberLaw, 3
MGMT342U Managing Business Processes, 3

Program Highlights

What You’ll Learn

Through your coursework, you’ll gain skills, knowledge and abilities to:

Solve complex IT and business problems
Think critically about data sharing through technical processes and systems
Develop and manage technology, operations and systems that support strategic goals
Integrate updated strategies and skills for collecting, storing, and processing data into your job
Learn from professors who currently work in the field

Program Features

Online classes, most offered asynchronously, that provide the greatest flexibility to working adults.
Enroll part time or full time and complete the program in a few as two semesters.
Option to earn digital badges.
Students and alumni receive discounted vouchers for CompTIA certification exams.
Dedicated faculty of seasoned professionals who are scholar practitioners and blend theory with real-world practice.
Access to a full suite of career services, and alumni receive career services for life.

Who Should Enroll?

Our program is especially suited for the following:

Recent graduates seeking to expand their information systems skills to be more competitive in the job market.
Recent graduates preparing for graduate school, especially to meet prerequisites for graduate IT programs.
IT support personnel with a bachelor’s degree in a non-tech field seeking to expand their career path or assume added responsibilities.
Those interested in technical and data systems seeking new career opportunities.

Value of a Certificate

Time is valuable. With a certificate, you can complete a new credential quickly while adding skills, knowledge and abilities to help you advance your career or start a new one. A certificate may help you meet requirements for master’s degree programs. Additional features of certificates include:

A certificate is a great return on your investment, because you earn a post-bachelor’s credential at the undergraduate tuition rate.
A certificate can be a necessary credential that leads to promotion, a salary raise or career advancement.
Earning a certificate can help expand and strengthen your professional network.

Finish Your Certificate Quickly

2 Semester Plan

Semester
- 4 courses
- Study fall or spring
Semester
- 3 courses
- Study fall or spring

Cost: About $4,800-$6,400* per semester

Eligible for financial aid (part time)

4 courses may be taken in fall or spring semester.

1 Year Plan

Semester 1
- 3 courses
Semester 2
- 2 courses
Semester 3
- 2 courses

Cost: About $3,200-$4,800* per semester

Eligible for financial aid (part time)

3 courses may be taken in fall or spring semester.

Class-at-a-Time Plan

Year
- 1 course per semester
- Study fall, spring & summer
Year
- 1 course per semester
- Study fall, spring & summer
Year
- 1 course in a semester

Cost: About $1,600* per semester

Not eligible for financial aid

Paying for Your Studies

Tuition & Payments Overview

Online certificate students may qualify for financial aid and/or SPCS scholarships and should utilize the University of Richmond’s Financial Aid Office. Applicants should familiarize themselves with and adhere to the financial aid timeline.

Review additional information on tuition, fees and refunds.

* 2024-25 Tuition Rates

Our undergraduate tuition ranks among the most competitive in the Richmond region, making our online certificates a great value for adult and non-traditional students.

$575 per semester hour
$1,725 per class (3 semester hours)

Review annual cost of attendance (COA) for SPCS degree-seeking students.

University of Richmond alumni may be eligible for the 25% Spider Spirit Alumni Discount on certificate coursework.

Financial Resources

Financial resources available to qualified applicants include:

Your Online@SPCS Experience

Flexibility & Independence

15-week online classes give you the flexibility to manage your coursework. Most classes are self-paced with deliverable deadlines and do not require scheduled remote sessions.

Rigorous & Challenging

Plan to spend 9-12 hours per week for every 3 semester hours of coursework. Your course will be rigorous, challenging, thought-provoking, engaging & rewarding.

Engagement & Community

Online doesn’t mean alone. Engage with instructors and colleagues in our online classes. Connect with other online & seat-based students in virtual events.

Caring & Supportive

Experience 24/7 access to resources & tips, remote access to campus supports, easy access to your instructor and meeting options with your advisor.

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