Latest News

Tori Humler

CIS Faculty Member Named To Cratis D. Williams Society

Tori Humler, a graduate student in the Walker College of Business, has been named to the Cratis D. Williams Society at Appalachian Stat...

Dr. Charlie Chen

Dr. Charlie Chen Honored at AppState Awards of Distinction

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University held its third annual Awards of Distinction ceremony April 24, honoring 29 students, faculty and staff fo...

Professionals, Educators and Students convene at App State Cyber Summit

BOONE, N.C. — Around the world, four out of five ransomware attacks target small to medium-sized businesses, and 60% of small businesses close withi...

App State students are pictured in a fermentation sciences lab on the Boone campus, working under the direction of Dr. Folarin Oguntoyinbo, associate professor and research mentor in the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences.

App State earns R2 designation for high research activity and doctorate production

University’s commitment to applied research benefits students, communities and industriesBOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a...

CIS Professor and Dean of the Walker College of Business, Sandra Vannoy

App State launches The Hickory Leadership Forum: ‘Leading with Compassion’ Walker College faculty and alumni to be featured on first panel

The first event, featuring business and corporate leaders, will be held Sept. 16 at the App State Hickory CampusAppalachian State University has annou...

Dr. Scott Hunsinger and Mr. Chris Taylor from the Department of Computer Information Systems

Hunsinger, Taylor to discuss cybersecurity program on WKHY 'First Talk' June 20

Appalachian State University’s new cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program begins this fall on the Boone and Hickory campuses.Hal Row, h...

A conceptual rendering of the cybersecurity lab to be constructed on the second floor of App State’s Hickory campus building. Note, designs for the cybersecurity lab are still in development. Graphic courtesy of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

App State’s new cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program begins this fall

This fall, Appalachian State University will begin offering a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity — the only such program offered by a University o...

Samantha Williams, CIS Department Administrator named in University Awards for Student Success

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University recognized 27 students, faculty and staff at its second annual Awards of Distinction ceremony, honoring t...

App State students place highest in the state for Excel skills

Appalachian State University students have earned the highest scores in North Carolina on the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel certification ex...

The CIS Department welcomes new faculty

The Department of Computer Information Systems welcomes two new tenure track faculty members: Assistant Professors Dr. Lijun Chen and Dr. Yuxiao Luo, ...

Great Courses, Great Faculty, Great Careers

When considering any business major, students should look closely at three dimensions:

  1. The quality of the courses offered.
  2. The passion, engagement and knowledge of the faculty that teach them.
  3. The career options that the major provides. 

Our programs excel in all three areas. The Department of Computer Information Systems (CIS) offers courses that leverage cutting-edge business concepts and technologies to promote relevant skills.

Our award-winning instructors have extensive industry experience and are recognized across campus for their high level of student engagement. Our faculty take a genuine interest in seeing our students succeed. Finally, we know that the end game for business students is to launch a meaningful career.

Our CIS program prepares students for a myriad of nontechnical and technical career paths as systems analysts and designers, systems integrators, process engineers, project managers, IT administrators, system developers, and many others. Projected growth for CIS careers is consistently high (over 20% through 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics), and starting salaries are among the highest of all business disciplines.

Mission, Vision and Values

The department fosters a collegial and collaborative work environment, in which we engage with our students to promote academic and professional excellence. Read more.

Welcome from the chair

In today's dynamic business environment, information systems have become the engines of business, the means for making better business decisions and the platform for global collaboration. The ability to leverage information technology is now a competitive necessity, and information systems skills have become imperative regardless of business industry, size or geographic location. Accordingly, the CIS department seeks to develop professionals with strong analytical and critical thinking skills, who are capable of analyzing, designing and implementing innovative business information systems projects; creating competitive advantage by optimizing operational efficiency and furthering strategic goals. 

Our Computer Information Systems programs have curricula that promote solid business acumen and technical fundamentals, arming students with a unique blend of knowledge, and enabling them to serve as the vital bridge between professionals in functional business areas and information technology (IT). We offer a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Computer Information Systems.