Advancing Local Degree Programs using the IS Model Curriculum Denise R. McGinnis, Gayla Jo Slauson Mesa State College ISECON’2003 November 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’ course UTEC – Technical school  Hardware/software course  Sophomore-level course  IS’ 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) 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?