Information Systems Undergraduate Curriculum: A Study in Self-Assessment for Program Viability

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to report the results of a self-evaluation study conducted by the Department of Information Systems; School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to assess the relevancy... [ view full abstract ]

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to report the results of a self-evaluation study conducted by the Department of Information Systems; School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to assess the relevancy of its undergraduate curriculum relative to the current state of IS field and competitiveness among its peers as defined by the AACSB and ABET accrediting organizations. The methodology used in this study is based on the methodology employed in a study of the department’s masters in information systems program and reported at the Southern Association for Information Systems Conference in the spring of 2016. Specifically, the study’s methodology followed the following dimensions:
• The data collected and analyzed included comparable, competitive, and aspirant programs’ undergraduate curriculum as identified by our current program accrediting bodies, AACSB and ABET.
• The compiled data from the comparable, competitive and aspirant programs, along with the VCU IS undergraduate program was mapped to the latest ACM/AIS Undergraduate Curriculum Model (2010).
• Identified trends in information technology and systems methodologies were used to assess the impact on changes in curriculum content such that the curriculum would more accurately reflect the skill sets need to prepare students to become qualified entry-level IS professionals.
• Findings were presented at the IS Department’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
• Results from a Focus Group consisting of the current IS students, faculty, recent graduates, alumni who graduated within the past five years, and the local leading technical recruiters, was used to validate the results of the internal evaluation.
• A review and discussion of the study’s findings at the 2017 SEDSI during the presentation session are to be included in the final report to the IS department and IS Advisory Board.

In addition to assessing the viability of the IS undergraduate curriculum, the study also provided an opportunity to examine the role the IS department plays in supporting the School of Business’ strategic plan referred to as EPIC (Experiential Learning, Problem-solving Curricula, Impactful Research, and Creative Culture). EPIC introduces a new framework; CREATE (see Figure 1: image could not be displayed in submission) for implementing the school’s multiple curricula. This framework provides a problem-solving structure that students can take from the classroom into the business world. An operational guideline for how the department’s undergraduate curriculum will support the new school’s strategic plan through the CREATE framework will be presented. This extensive self-assessment initiative is designed to ensure the validity and applicability of the education provided by the department in the volatile IS field. A full report will be presented at the 2017 SEDSI Meeting.