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One of the defining characteristics of a business information systems degree, as opposed to other IT degrees, is its blending of technology skills with business competencies.
In addition to the technology competencies, such as IT networking and systems administration, you will be taught course materials in the following areas:
Marketing
Microeconomic, macroeconomic and international economics
Accounting
Descriptive and inferential statistics in business
Project management
Centrality of business information systems in improving enterprise strategy
As an institutionally accredited school, GCU is proud to emphasize the quality of our instruction and the comprehensiveness of the curriculum. Our colleges collaborate together on interdisciplinary degree programs, which offer you an opportunity to develop a blend of competencies across fields. GCU strives to graduate well-rounded individuals who are prepared to compete in the job marketplace.
The bachelor’s in business information systems degree from Grand Canyon University is offered through the Colangelo College of Business, but also incorporates coursework from the College of Engineering and Technology. This true interdisciplinary information systems degree can provide you with the opportunity to develop both the leadership and business know-how to lead, as well as the technology background to be competitive in business.
As an on-campus or online business information systems degree student, you will focus on core business topics, such as management, accounting, economics, statistics and marketing, while also diving into technology degree topics, such as database management and IT networking.
This business information systems degree is available via online classes, which can allow you to access higher education with greater convenience and flexibility. As an online learning student, you would receive the same quality of instruction as your on-campus peers. You can access your course materials and engage in intellectually stimulating discussions with your fellow students and instructors via our interactive digital learning platform. Work toward achieving a firm foundation in business information systems from virtually anywhere.
This business information systems degree is also available in a traditional on-campus format. As an on-campus student, you will attend in-person classes and be encouraged to participate in face-to-face academic discussions. On-campus students also have access to our STEM resources, including fully equipped technology labs.
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Information Systems (BIS) degree program teaches you competencies in the business and technology fields that can enable you to support organizations in meaningful ways. Business information systems is a subfield that involves the collection, processing and organization of raw data into meaningful insights that can help enable business managers to make well-informed decisions for the organization.1 It involves programming, networking, database management and IT governance. BIS may be an ideal career for you if you enjoy working with technology and transforming raw data into insights.
As you reflect upon your career path possibilities and options for higher education, it can be helpful to develop a better understanding of the field. Use the following frequently asked questions and answers to guide your research in business information systems.
An information system enables an organization’s decision-makers to accurately assess the health and robustness of each area of the organization. Using insights derived from raw data, business managers can identify under-performing areas and implement improvements. Furthermore, information systems can enhance employee productivity, facilitate interdepartmental communications, improve operational efficiency and, in general, enhance the company’s competitive advantage.3
Information systems can help business owners gain a cost advantage over competitors and help differentiate their business by offering better customer service. One clear advantage of information systems is that they can run different scenarios and predict their likely results to help owners make informed decisions.3
Improving processes using business information systems helps organizations streamline everyday functions like payroll, account payables, inventory management, sales purchases, etc. It simplifies the flow of information and the process of finding data easily. Since this technology is automated and uses complex algorithms, it reduces human error. Over time, this can help businesses grow and put their resources to work in an efficient manner.3
Salary ranges can vary among business information systems careers and depend on many important factors, including education, certifications and skill level. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for computer and information systems managers was $169,510 in 2023.2
If you’re passionate about the potential of technology to drive business growth, then a bachelor’s in business information systems could be a good choice for you. Since all sorts of organizations could potentially rely on the insights derived from data collection and processing, and because many different industries implement IT systems, this type of degree can be a versatile choice. With competencies in business information systems, you could position yourself for the opportunity to pursue careers across sectors and industries.
Furthermore, the computer and information systems subfield is growing. The BLS estimates job growth for computer and information systems managers to be 15% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average. This indicates that employers expect to hire about 86,000 of these professionals during that time period.4
A career in business information systems may be an ideal choice for you if you’re interested in fulfilling an important role within an organization. Business managers and owners rely on the work of BIS professionals to drive their decision-making for the organization.3 In addition, there are various opportunities in this field to specialize to position yourself to potentially pursue career advancement.
The bachelor’s in business information systems degree program is an opportunity for you to develop a foundation in business-related technology, specifically the use of technology to keep data and systems organized.
The combination of coursework in both business and tech fields is what defines the on-campus and online business information systems degree program at GCU.
As a BIS degree student, you will examine:
You will have the opportunity to examine the fundamentals of business information systems and technology, including:
Programming
Networking technologies
Database management
Project management
IT governance
1 StudyPortals. (n.d.). Everything You Need to Know About Studying Business Information Systems in 2024. StudyPortals. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2023.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Systems Managers as of May 2023, retrieved April 30, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as computer and information systems managers, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
3 TechFunnel. (2023, Feb. 8). How Management Information Systems Can Help Businesses To Grow. TechFunnel. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2023.
4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Systems Managers, retrieved on Oct. 3, 2023.
If you are passionate about both business and technology, a degree in information systems could be the right path for you. Learn more about GCU's Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems degree program by filling out the form on this page.
The GCU business information systems degree can provide a firm foundation in BIS competencies that may set up graduates to pursue a range of careers.
These roles may include:
Computer systems analysts
Database administrators
Network and computer systems administrators
Computer and information systems managers
Median annual wage for computer and information systems managers as of 20232
