Which one more in Demand CIS or CIT?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by tlvb25, Apr 22, 2011.

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  1. tlvb25

    tlvb25 New Member

    First off I would like to say that I really thank you guys for all your advice that you give me on this forum, I really respect and appreciate the time you guys take to respond my inquiries cause my advisors at my school suck!!!

    According to the way the world is going which undergrad major should I go into CIS or CIT?

    I have 2 weeks before my semester ends and I need to know which one to choose, I am finishing up all my prerequisites. I need to advise fast classes are filling up. I have decided that I will get my grad degree in MIS and I will pick a technical undergrad now....but which one? I have placed two links below of the Plans of Study for both majors (CIT and CIS).

    HURRY I NEED YOUR HELP QUICK........LOL.......WHICH ONE?

    CIS Plan of Study
    BS CIS

    CIT Plan of Study
    Purdue University Calumet | Computer Information Technology and Graphics
     
  2. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

    random IT degree? Check.
    relevant certs? Check.
    related experience? Check.

    Get the job? Check.

    It probably won't make any difference what the name is of the major unless it is "Computer Science" which is generally above the others.
     
  3. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Of the two I would think CIS which is largely interchangable with "Computer Science". When I think of a CIT degree I think of infrastructure, server services, networking, telecom, etc. When I see "computer science" or CIS I think of application development, database administration, application architecture, etc.

    The problem is some schools have coursework you would think would be more appropriate for a CIS degree in a MIS or CIT degree and vise versa. But as commonly understood the CIS and computer science are much the same.

    Edited to add: I just looked at both your links and if you want to develop applications and be a programmer the CIS is hands down the degree you should get. If you want a general IT degree based on processes/project management/infrastructure and technology services, then the CIT.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 22, 2011
  4. tlvb25

    tlvb25 New Member

    Thank you so much for looking at this for me but don't it seems that the CIT plan of study also cover web applications and databases.
     
  5. DLer

    DLer New Member

    The CIT program as outlined is much closer to a CS curriculum....ie Discrete Math, Algrithm/Logic, Advanced Operating Sytems. The CIS is primarily business related and could be done with minimal entrance requirements at the undergrad and grad levels. You could do that curriculum anytime, anywhere. Go CIT, develop your technical skills and learn something useful.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 23, 2011
  6. tlvb25

    tlvb25 New Member

    Or do you think I should stick with the double major Accounting & MIS and just sharpen my technical skills during my career after graduation.
     
  7. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Actually I think you may be right. Both seem to be heavy in programming though...
     
  8. tlvb25

    tlvb25 New Member

    Right about what exactly?
     
  9. tlvb25

    tlvb25 New Member


    Do you think I should get my understand in CIT and then my MBA MIS.

    Or do you think I would be better off getting my undergraduate in MIS & Accounting then my MBA in MIS, and I just get certs to improve my technical skills.

    Which way? I'm looking job availability, security, and high starting salary.
     
  10. commserver

    commserver New Member

    I disagree about the CIS and Computer Science are much the same. Look at the following:

    "From the opinions of professional world perspectives, what are the respective differences between CS, CIS and MIS?....


    CS is the most widely respected and known and is pretty much essential if you want a job programming whether it is databases or business coding. It will teach things you won't learn in the other degrees such as:

    •Algorithms
    •Data Structures
    •Design Patterns
    •Low/High Level languages (such as Assembly, C/C++, Java, C#)
    •Software Architectures"

    You don't the above in either CIS or MIS. I have MS in Computer Methodology which is hybrid with elements of both CS and CIS. I have found it useful that I knew about data structures which colleagues with CIS degrees didn't seem to know.
     
  11. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    There seems to be some debate on this, I've read a few different discussion forums and it most people on the forums seem to agree that CIS is not interchangeable with CS...I stand somewhat corrected. I say somewhat because there doesn't seem to be a consensus and there is even a little debate on the two here in my local IT office. I have a database architect who is a CIS grad and an application architect who is a CS grad. The CS grad insists that CIS is not the same whereas the database architect insists that they are largely interchangeable. Both of these guys are highly technical so I'm at a standstill on which one is right. A forum I read states that CIS is more language and technology specific, whereas a CS is more technology agnostic and more on developing on foundational concepts. Either way both of these guys “got the job” so the degree they earned was satisfactory.

    I'm an MIS student and I know for a fact that this is nowhere near the depth of technical knowledge that a CS will cover or from the looks of the above programs, the CIS or CIT, however the MIS is not a "technical" degree but more of a management degree (thus the name). To add to the confusion, not every college or school has the same level of technical emphasis in CIS or CIT offerings. CS however seems to be more or less commonly understood as being very technical, especially as it lends itself to application development/programming.

    Regardless of the degree it is the skills that one brings to the marketplace that matters. If you are a CS major who only knows how to program in COBOL you're probably SOL in the job market. (note: SOL is a non-IT specific acronym) If you are a CIS major, CIT major or CS major and a rock star in .NET or Java, you’ll probably have success in the job market.

    As for MBAs, Accounting majors, etc. I’m all for diversification of skill set as long as there is a plan. To make a plan you have to set a goal of where you want to be. I am all for making money, trust me, but you should identify a career path first then work backwards from there. Have you worked in IT before? What did you like and not like? What are your natural interests?
     
  12. Sharpshot77

    Sharpshot77 New Member

    Hi,
    I am currently enrolled in Cal State University Northridge. I need help deciding which to follow in getting a BS; cit or CS. I am currently a CS major. I would like to know programming but not as much I would like to be an IT guy. I love working on computers. I have a few questions.( I know they may be repeats, but I'm really pressed on time, Sorry)

    1. What is the real difference between CS and CIT?
    2. Which is a more marketable career?
    3. Which brings in a higher salary(numbers please)?

    At my university CIT seems to be a bit easier, academically, with lot less math and programming,(yay for less math, boo for less programming) but everyone I talk to has a different opinion.

    I really could use a response as soon as possible. I have fall advisement coming in fast.
     
  13. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    This is a very difficult question to answer as most of our IT related jobs are exported to India and other third-world countries.
     
  14. atrox79

    atrox79 Member

    Nice, my fiancee is enrolled in CSUN for MS in electrical engineering and I plan to go there in Fall 2012 for MS in computer science. If you want to be an IT guy, I think the CIT program looks more suited to your goals. The program has much more coverage of systems, databases, security & networks. It looks like you can learn a good deal of programming, plus don't forget you can always take a bunch of programming electives if you want to. You could always tailor your senior electives package or even select a minor.

    If anyone wants to see the diagrams of these two majors, click these links:
    CSUN - BS CIT Major Diagram
    CSUN - BS CS Major Diagram
     
  15. Petedude

    Petedude New Member

    Or, more correctly, many of our IT related jobs are exported to India and other third-world countries.

    I feel strongly about the whole offshoring bit too, but I'm not sure the complaint serves the OP or the thread much. There are still programming jobs to be had in the US, and a fair number in Canada as well. There's also a new trend, which I can't remember the buzzword for at the moment-- but the new trend involves outsourcing IT work, but to remote rural areas in the US where operating costs are lower. I'm hearing an increasing amount of discontent with the quality control and communications issues associated with offshoring, not to mention protectionist politics will weigh in on the offshoring issues sooner or later as well. To me, bringing those jobs back is always a good thing, and there will be some programming jobs trickling back in because the new trend as well.

    And to the original question: CIT (or IT) related diplomas serve business technology needs and processes, where CS degrees traditionally serve more foundational technology needs. If you get a "pure" CS degree, you would be better prepared for programming or related jobs, things like operating system development.
     

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