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Columbus State University Business program is accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business . Accreditation by AACSB, recognized as the premier accrediting agency of business schools, is the hallmark of excellence in management education. |
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The TSYS School of Computer Science has been designated as a
nationally accredited program in Information Assurance and is
compliant with NSTISSI-4011, CNSSI-4013E, and CNSSI-4014E,
standards published by the Committee on National Security Systems
and the
National Security
Agency
(NSA) of the United States.
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The D. Abbott Turner College of Business prepares students to add value to their communities and their employers, predominantly local and regional firms.
As a teaching institution serving a highly diverse student population primarily from west central Georgia, the Turner College of Business is committed to:
As a teaching institution the assessment of student learning is part of the culture of the College and engages both students and faculty in continuous improvement. The College collects and assesses a robust set of performance data for both business and computer science programs. Reviewed by individual faculty, discipline groups, the College's Assurance of Learning Committee, and administrators, results of these measures are used to make program improvements. Direct measures of student performance include ETS Major Fields Tests in the business programs and computer science graduate program as well as course-embedded measures such as exams, papers, and presentations which may reveal performance data in ways that course grades might not. Annual assessments for each program and major are available on the University's Academic Affairs websites. In addition, the College is committed to providing access to higher education in innovative classroom settings, practical experiences via internships and travel abroad, and online courses. Our programs offer our students an opportunity to prepare for some of the most sought after careers.
The Turner College of Business is located in the Center for Commerce and Technology at Columbus State University and also serves students throughout the region, nationally and internationally through select online courses and programs.
Mission: The Turner College prepares business students to add value to their communities and to their employers in a globally competitive environment.
As a teaching institution primarily serving a diverse, regional
student population, we are committed to:
Vision: We will become one of the best regional business schools in the Southeast.
Values: Our core values are Respect, Integrity, and Responsibility. We promote Innovation, Diversity, and Collaboration.
The College offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. Major areas of specialization include:
The General Business major is available as an online program.
The undergraduate business programs are designed to prepare students for careers in many different organizations where business skills are needed including private businesses and corporations, non-profit organizations, and government at all levels. The undergraduate majors allow students to become the functional specialists needed in all organizations. Students can specialize in accounting, finance, general business, management, information systems or marketing. Courses are also available to build skills for students wishing to start their own business. The available business minors allow students to broaden their marketable skills. The career possibilities for a business major are varied. Below are examples.
*All salary information was sourced from MyMajors.com website
Student Learning Outcomes:
The following courses satisfy the Area F business core for University System of Georgia transfer credit to other member institutions:
Business students may take additional courses to achieve a minor concentration in a field outside of their major. For BBA majors, the "Area I" electives may be utilized to complete a minor in another business discipline. (For minors outside the Turner College, see the "Undergraduate Minors" section of this catalog.) Courses applied to a minor must be in addition to Area H major core course requirements. A grade of “C” or better is required for all courses applied to a business minor.
The following minors are currently available to business majors in the College:
Minors Available for Non-business Majors
Business (for non-business majors): 18 semester hours including ACCT 2101, BUSA 2106, ECON 2106, MGMT 3109, MKTG 3109 and one of the following international courses: BUSA 3135, BUSA, 3555, ECON 3165, MGMT 4116 or MKTG 4145. Grade of "C" or better is required for each course.
Economics (for non-business majors): 18 semester hours to include ECON 2105, ECON 2106, ECON 3136, ECON 3145, ECON 3147, and ECON 3165. Grade of “C” or better is required for each course.
Non-business majors may take a limited number of business courses provided they have satisfied the specific course prerequisites. Non-business majors may obtain no more than 25% of their total degree hours in business courses.
The Office of the Dean determines the specific credit for work completed at other institutions that will apply toward the BBA. Transfer students should go to the Business Student Services Center to have credits evaluated to determine which credits will be accepted for the BBA. Allowance of transfer credit by the Office of the Registrar does not mean that all credit will be accepted toward a BBA degree. Transfer credit will be accepted from AACSB accredited schools and senior institutions in the Georgia BOR system. Any exceptions must be approved by the discipline coordinator and the appropriate department chair. The following courses will not be awarded transfer credit: BUSA 4185, MISM 4185, FINC 4185, and MKTG 4185.
Students who wish to work towards a BBA degree or complete additional course work required for professional certificates or graduate programs and have previously earned a bachelor's degree should contact the Business Student Services Center to determine individual requirements.
Students who wish to take courses on-line must meet all of the requirements stated above and, in addition, be aware of the following requirements specific to the process of taking courses via distance education.
Students are expected to go through a graduation check the semester prior to graduation with Business Student Services staff. Students must meet all university requirements and program specific requirements to graduate.
The College offers the following Business Graduate Programs: the Master of Business Administration (MBA), an online MBA through the Georgia WebMBA® consortium, and the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with tracks in HR Management, Servant Leadership, and Leader Development. The program goals and curriculum vary; however, admission requirements, financial support and graduation processes are comparable.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for regular admission to a graduate business program applicants must submit the following:
Students who are not admitted to the regular classification may be admitted on a provisional basis. A limited number of provisional students may be admitted to each program. Each provisional student must show high promise of success in graduate studies. Provisional students must complete the first nine semester hours of graduate study earning a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to continue in the program.
An applicant who has already earned terminal, professional, or graduate degree from an accredited institution may request a waiver of the GMAT or GRE requirement. Applicants with professional and/or managerial experience deemed to be sufficient in length and depth may also be granted a GMAT or GRE waiver. GMAT/GRE waivers are not guaranteed and decisions to grant a waiver to an applicant will only be made after a full review of their submitted admissions packet. Applicants granted a GMAT or GRE waiver will only be eligible for provisional admission to a graduate business program and must fulfill the provisional grade requirements in order to be reconsidered for regular admission.
The College offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to fulltime graduate students enrolled in the MBA or MSOL programs. An assistantship may be granted for up to 3 consecutive semesters with satisfactory performance. For more information contact the Business Student Services Center or the Graduate Program Director. Graduate assistants are required to work 19 hours per week during the semester for tuition and stipend. Work assignments vary but include tutoring, research support, and administration support.
Approval of an application for a business graduate degree is contingent upon the successful completion of an approved program with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on 30 hours of MBA courses or 36 hours of MSOL courses and an overall 3.0 GPA on all graduate courses taken. (The overall GPA is the average GPA over all attempted graduate courses.) In addition, all undergraduate courses used for prerequisites must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Applications for graduation are submitted online through CougarNet one semester prior to completion of degree requirements. Students have a maximum of six years from the first term of enrollment to complete all degree requirements.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a general-purpose management degree that prepares individuals for administrative positions in business, industry, or government. The program accommodates students who have business and non-business baccalaureate degrees. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides the student with a broad understanding of management and its role in a global society. Emphasis is placed upon economics, human behavior, organizations, accounting, communication skills, operations, marketing, finance, management information systems, and their impacts on managerial decision making. The program focuses on the practical application of these tools, techniques, and concepts. Teamwork, the international context of business, and the ethical dimensions of managerial decisions are stressed throughout the program.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The MBA is a 30 semester hour professional degree with no language or thesis requirement; however, case studies, field studies, research projects, and formal papers are required in specific courses. A student with a non-business baccalaureate degree will be required to complete undergraduate prerequisites that demonstrate the skills listed below. Undergraduate preparatory courses include Statistics, ACCT2101, ACCT2102 and FINC3109. These courses or equivalents must be completed prior to taking select MBA courses requiring those prerequisites. Students enrolled in other graduate programs may be allowed to enroll in MBA courses, provided that they have met the undergraduate prerequisites or their equivalents.
Students must demonstrate, through their undergraduate preparation, the following skill sets:
Transfer Credit. A maximum of six hours with a minimum grade of "B" in each course may be accepted for transfer from AACSB accredited programs. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Transfer credit will not be used in computing the student's grade point average.
The College, through the Georgia WebMBA® consortium, offers students an opportunity to earn an online, AACSB-accredited MBA degree. Our online program is a cohort based program built on the concept of multidimensional teamwork and provides the same excellent quality and service as our regular program offered on campus. Consisting of ten courses taken two per semester, and no electives, the online program is designed to be completed within five consecutive terms. Up to six credit hours of graduate transfer credit with a grade of B or better may be approved, provided the courses (1) were taken at a school accredited by AACSB, International, and (2) match specific courses in the college's WebMBA curriculum. Students must attend a two day orientation at the beginning of their program to meet team members and learn about program expectations from faculty and administrators.
As online students, additional responsibilities include the following:
The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership is a professional degree with no language or thesis requirement. The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership is designed to enhance the skills needed by organizational leaders. The curriculum consists of a 15 semester hour leadership core with the choice of two concentrations: Servant Leadership and Human Resource Management (HRM).
The HRM track is based on a curriculum sponsored by the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) and upon completion of the program graduates should be prepared to seek certification. The track is designed to foster leadership development among HR professionals and enhance areas of expertise in HR management.
The Servant Leadership track is influenced by the principles of Servant-Leadership espoused by Robert K. Greenleaf who has been cited by such authors as Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard. The focus is not only on leadership theory but also on the practical skills needed by the servant leader including negotiating and human resource management skills. Prospective students will find value in this program as an enhancement to their current skill-set in order to advance their careers. According to the website modernservantleader.com, the following companies have documented their support for the principles of servant leadership: 7-Eleven; AFLAC; Chick Fil-A; Synovus Financial; Darden Restaurants; the Gabriel Center; JTC Education; and the U.S. Army. This is just a sample of the companies who value the skills of the servant leader developed in the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program.
The Leader Development track combines select Servant Leadership and Human Resource management courses. This program has been specifically designed to assist the active duty US Army Captains while in training to pursue a graduate degree. However the program is open to others.
Student Learning Outcomes:
All graduates in the MS in Organizational Leadership program will be able to:
In addition, graduates in the Servant Leadership concentration will be able to:
In addition, graduates in the Human Resource Management concentration will be able to:
In addition, graduates in the Leader Development concentration will be able to:
The MSOL program is a 36 hour graduate program and consists of 15 hours of required core courses in Organizational Leadership (MSOL designated courses) and a choice of 15 hours of courses concentrated in HR Management or 15 hours concentrated in Servant Leadership plus 6 hours of electives which may include an HR internship for HR track students. A full-time student is able to complete the program in four semesters. Summer courses are required to complete the program. For more information on internships, please contact the Business Student Services Center or the Business Graduate Program Director.
The TSYS School of Computer Science offers a Bachelor of Science degree program with concentrations in Software Systems, Games Programming or Applied Computing; a Minor in Computer Science; and a Bachelor of Science degree program in Information Technology; including an online Bachelor of Science degree through the Georgia WebBSIT consortium.
The BS in Computer Science - Software Systems Track provides the student with skills required to compete in today's computing environment and to be able to adapt to tomorrow. Much effort is expended ensuring that the program is viable and current, focusing on the newer technologies and emphasizing applications of current methods for the design and engineering of software systems.
The BS in Computer Science - Games Programming Track provides students with a thorough understanding of the theory, design and programming techniques required for producing games software. This track equips students with the theoretical and practical knowledge for careers in the games and simulation industries. Topics covered include games theory, design and programming; graphics techniques including virtual environments; artificial intelligence techniques; multi-player and Internet games programming; and games specific software tools.
The BS in Computer Science - Applied Computing Track provides student a rigorous education in computer science with particular attention and practice given to mainframe business applications and web programming. This program was initiated by a joint study agreement with the IBM Corporation, and was expanded by funding from the Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP). It is particularly geared to the large system computing needs of the companies that dominate the local economy.
The B.S. Information Technology (BSIT) program provides students with a combination of knowledge, hands–on experience, and application of theory to support their employment in the field of Information Technology. The curriculum emphasizes quantitative and communication skills as well as providing a basic foundation in understanding the business process and the role of Information Technology in supporting that process. The BSIT is also available online.
Computer science and information technology graduates find jobs in a wide array of occupations including software engineering, application, game, and web programming, network administration and security, and database administration. Because computers are becoming more and more pervasive, computer science and information technology jobs are available in almost every field. According to the US Department of Labor, computer science and information technology job opportunities are expected to grow at approximately 20% through 2018 which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Graduates in the BS in CS Software Systems Track program will:
Graduates in the BS in CS Games Programming Track program will:
Graduates in the BS in CS Applied Computing Track program will:
Graduates in the BS in Information Technology (BSIT) program will:
Minors for Non-Computer Science Majors
Students who wish to take courses on-line must meet all of the requirements stated above and be aware of the following requirements specific to the process of taking courses via distance education. The WEBBSIT program is a consortium program with a set schedule for courses. In addition,
The “Computer Science Undergraduate Research Certificate” is designed to prepare undergraduate students for the rigors of a graduate program that encompasses a research emphasis. The 15-hour program is especially designed for students wishing to complete their last semester in an undergraduate computer science program that requires a significant research project and who wish to continue into the M.S. in Applied Computer Science. To qualify for this certificate, the students must have finished the equivalent of seven semesters of Computer Science in good standing including courses in data structures, operating systems, databases, computer architectures, and algorithms. Requirements include: CPSC 4205 Senior Project & Portfolio (3 Credits), CPSC 4899 Independent Study (3 Credits), CPSC 4500 Undergraduate Research (6 Credits), and at least one additional three-credit upper division computer science class approved by the School of Computer Science.
Satisfactory completion of university requirements and a minimum grade of "C" in each computer science course counted towards the major.
The TSYS School of Computer Science offers the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science , with three concentrations: Software Development, Information Assurance, and Modeling & Simulation. To allow students with different backgrounds to benefit from and be successful in the program, students may also design a program of study without a concentration. In addition, students may enter a non-degree seeking Certificate program in Modeling and Simulation, Information Systems Security Officer or Information Systems Security Professional. The School also offers a Joint 3+2 BS/MS program in computer science that allows students to pursue an accelerated path to a graduate degree.
Students who complete the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science degree or the Joint 3+2 BS/MS program will possess a high degree of proficiency in four of the following six areas: algorithm analysis and design, programming languages, database management and administration, computer architecture, computer networks and security, and operating systems. By pursuing one of the available concentrations--Software Development, Information Assurance, and Modeling & Simulation—students will develop additional skills in their area of concentration. Graduates can expect job opportunities as IT consultants, IT managers, Web developers, computer programmers, network administrators, database administrators, software engineers, and systems analysts. Given today's rapid growth in the use of computers, according to CNN Money job opportunities in these occupations are expected to grow as much as 34% through 2020.
The Graduate Certificate in Modeling and Simulation provides the opportunity for professionals and scientists to develop or enhance their expertise in the modeling and simulation field, thus providing additional education and employment opportunities in research, national defense, consulting, health care, entertainment, business, training, or any other field where the use of modeling and simulation can be of value.
The Graduate Certificates in Information Systems Security provide the opportunity for individuals to expand their knowledge of information security as well as provide documentation that they have successfully completed a program of study that meets and/or exceeds the national training and education standards for duties and responsibilities of Information Systems Security Professionals (NSTISSI 4011) and Officers (CNSSI 4014) set forth and certified by the National Security Agency. This certificate may also be of value to students considering employment by the federal government in the security field.
Student Learning Outcomes:
All graduates in the MS in Applied CS program will be able to apply techniques and technologies from at least four of the following areas:
In addition graduates in the Information Assurance concentration will:
In addition graduates in the Software Development concentration will:
In addition, graduates in the Modeling & Simulation concentration will:
To be admitted as a Regular student, prospective students must satisfy the following four requirements:
Admission Requirements (Provisional)
Prospective students who meet condition 1 but not all of conditions
2, 3 and 4 may be admitted as Provisional students. Students who
are admitted as Provisional students must meet the requirements for
Regular admission during their first year in the program. As part
of this, students who do not meet condition 3 will be required to
take Fundamental Principles of Computer Science (CPSC 6105) and
Fundamentals of Computer Programming and Data Structures (CPSC
6106) prior to taking any other graduate courses in the
program.
The TSYS School of Computer Science offers the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science , with courses available both on campus and on-line. Although there is only a single degree track, it is the intent of the school that a student be able to attain the degree either by taking only on-campus courses, or by taking only on-line courses, or by taking a combination of the two types of courses, as best fits the student's schedule and travel requirements. Each graduate course in Computer Science will be scheduled for on-campus or on-line offering as the student demand requires.
Students who wish to take graduate courses on-line must meet all of the requirements stated above and, in addition, be aware of the following requirements specific to the process of taking courses via distance education.
Visit the MS in Applied Computer Science Online Support site, accessible through http://cs.columbusstate.edu . This site has a lot of general information useful to online students. It includes a FAQ page addressing common questions like logging in, technical support, taking course exams, managing your account, contact links, software, hardware, etc.
All applicants must submit to the Chair of the TSYS School of Computer Science
Applicants with significant industrial experience are invited, but not required, to include a resume to demonstrate practical experience in software development.
Approval of an application for the Master of Science degree in Applied Computer Science is contingent upon the successful completion of an approved program and recommendation for the degree by the Turner College of Business. Applications for degree conferral must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the semester prior to completion of degree requirements.
The following requirements must be met for the completion of the degree program:
Admission Requirements
Proficiency in each of the above areas may be shown by submitting university transcripts documenting the applicant's previous achievements in the area, such as classes that the applicant has passed with a grade of B or higher (or C or higher for calculus and statistics). These achievements also include having earned a BS or an MS degree in computer science from an accredited college or university within the previous five years.
Proficiency in programming (item 2) may be argued for by an applicant by showing evidence of extensive industry experience in developing software.
The admissions committee will evaluate applications for admission to each of the above certificate programs, and make decisions on whether a given applicant may be admitted to the program, and on whether a waiver for CPSC 6105, CPSC 6106, calculus, and/or statistics should be granted.
Curriculum
Note: To qualify for this graduate certificate, students must obtain a grade of "B" or better in all courses taken towards this certificate program.
Admission Requirements
Proficiency in each of the above areas may be shown by submitting university transcripts documenting the applicant's previous achievements in the area, such as classes that the applicant has passed with a grade of B or higher. These achievements also include having earned a BS or an MS degree in computer science from an accredited college or university within the previous five years.
Proficiency in programming (item 2), or computer networking
(item 3), may be argued for by an applicant by showing evidence of
extensive industry experience in developing software, or in network
administration.
The admissions committee will evaluate applications for admission
to this certificate program, and make decisions on whether a given
applicant may be admitted to the program, and on whether a waiver
for CPSC 6105, CPSC 6106, or CPSC 5157G should be granted.
Curriculum/Course Requirements
CPSC 6126 (Information Systems Assurance)
CPSC 6136 (Advanced System Security)
CPSC 6157 (Network Management)
CPSC 6159 (Computer Forensics)
CPSC 6167 (Network Risk Assessment)
Note: To qualify for this certificate, the student must obtain a grade of “B” or higher in each of the courses that are required for the certificate.
Admission Requirements:
Proficiency in each of the above areas may be shown by
submitting university transcripts documenting the applicant's
previous achievements in the area, such as classes that the
applicant has passed with a grade of B or higher. These
achievements also include having earned a BS or an MS degree in
computer science from an accredited college or university within
the previous five years.
Proficiency in programming (item 2), or computer networking (item
3), may be argued for by an applicant by showing evidence of
extensive industry experience in developing software, or in network
administration.
The admissions committee will evaluate applications for admission
to this certificate program, and make decisions on whether a given
applicant may be admitted to the program, and on whether a waiver
for CPSC 6105, CPSC 6106, or CPSC 5157G should be granted.
Curriculum
CPSC 5157G (Computer Networks) or CPSC 6157 (Network
Management)
CPSC 6126 (Information Systems Assurance)
CPSC 6128 (Network Security)
CPSC 6167 (Network Risk Assessment)
Note: To qualify for this certificate, the student must obtain a grade of “B” or higher in each of the courses that are required for the certificate.
The Combined BS/MS program allows a student to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degree program with less hours by combining in their junior and senior years both graduate and undergraduate courses. This program will allow students and faculty an extended opportunity to collaborate on exciting research projects in the field of computer science.
Program Goals:Admission Requirements
Graduate Assistantships
Students are selected by the chair of the School with a recommendation from the CS graduate curriculum committee.
Note: Students who have already petitioned for, and been granted graduate status, and can perform their TA/RA duties on campus are eligible to submit an application package for a graduate assistantship.
Special Student Issues
Undergraduate/Graduate Student Status
Graduation Requirements
Upon successful completion of 123 credit hours and all undergraduate requirements, students may apply for the BS in Computer Science degree. Upon successful completion of the 144 credit hours and all graduate requirements, students may apply for the MS in Applied Computer Science degree.