Computer Information Systems

Computer information systems (CIS) at Whatcom

Whatcom's CIS program offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree with four specialty options, two certificates, and one certificate of proficiency.

Computer information systems, associate of applied science (90 credits); specialty options:

Cloud computing
Data utilization
Networking
Unmanned aircraft systems

Network administration, certificate (56-58 credits)

Technical support, certificate (46-48 credits)

Cloud computing, certificate of proficiency (16 credits)

Data utilization, certificate of proficiency (16 credits)

Networking, certificate of proficiency (21 credits)

UAS fleet management, certificate of proficiency (7 credits)

Unmanned aircraft systems, certificate of proficiency (19 credits)

Click here to see the quarter-by-quarter sequence of classes for each pathway.

Career Launch endorsed

WCC's CIS program is endorsed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges as a Career Launch program. This endorsement means the program is aligned with local employer needs, includes work-based learning, and prepares students for high-demand, high wage jobs.

Career Connect Washington Seal-electronic

Career advancement: nationally acclaimed program & industry-recognized credentials

Whatcom's CIS program is recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance / Cyber Defense 2-year education (CAE2Y).

WCC is also the lead institution of NCyTE, a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education center that is one of only four in the nation in the field of cybersecurity education and the only one on the West Coast.

These designations help as you enter the workforce or transfer to four-year schools, conveying that you graduated from a program nationally recognized for its excellence and alignment to the highest information security standards for two-year college education.

Whatcom Community College is a Cisco Networking Academy and offers networking courses that prepare you for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) industry certification. The certificate in CIS network administration prepares you for the CCNA exam and the certificate in CIS technical support prepares you to take the CompTIA A+ certification exam.

Earning these certifications can demonstrate to employers that you have completed courses that meet national standards established by the National Security Agency (NSA).

NCYTE Cisco Networking Academy U.S. Department of Homeland Security CyberWATCH Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Academy

Transfer options

Meet with an advisor to discuss and maximize your transfer options.

Students who successfully complete Whatcom's AAS degree in CIS may apply to enroll in Whatcom's BAS degree in IT networking - cybersecurity. Some of the courses for the CIS program may transfer to baccalaureate (four-year) institutions. As many as 35 credits from the AAS degree in CIS may be applied toward an AAS-Transfer degree or directly to most universities.

Some four-year institutions will accept all 90 credits from Whatcom's CIS degree. These include:

Learning extended beyond the classroom

Students hone their defense tactics through participation in regional and national cyber defense competitions in which network attacks are simulated under increasingly stressful circumstances. The winning team of this annual competition goes on to participate in the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.

The student-run help desk is a popular service available to anyone on Whatcom’s campus. Under the direction of CIS faculty, students diagnose, troubleshoot and problem-solve a wide variety of desktop and laptop issues, while also developing effective customer service and communication skills.

CIS students gain access to a variety of technology resources, including:

Subscription to MSDN, the Microsoft Developer Network, giving students access to downloads of the latest Microsoft programs
Individualized access to VMware Workstation Academic Program
Access to downloads of a variety of operating systems

Costs

The costs for Washington state residents enrolled full-time in the computer information systems (CIS) program average approximately $2,000 per quarter, including tuition, books, fees, and supplies. Link to Career Bridge for more details on the total costs of each degree and certificate:

AAS degree in CIS
Certificate in CIS/Network Administration
Certificate in CIS/Technical Support

AAS costs and information can and will change. Be sure to contact an advisor for the most current information to plan the funding of your education.

Course equivalencies

Credits earned at other colleges have historically transferred into Whatcom as noted below. Always check with a Whatcom academic advisor to confirm your credit will transfer. A grade of C or better must be earned for credit to be applied toward Whatcom’s CIS or cybersecurity pathway. If a course from the transfer college has fewer credits than the Whatcom equivalent, the credit difference must be met through other courses successfully completed. Credits from any courses listed below that were earned more than five years ago will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

If your college is not listed, contact Advising & Career Services:

advise@whatcom.edu
360.383.3080

Bellingham Technical College

Bellingham Technical College		Whatcom Community College
IT 112 A+ hardware	5	CIS 206 Computer support I	5
IT 141 A+ operating systems	5	CIS 105 Computer operating systems I	5
IT 160 Network technology I¹	5	CIS 226 Cisco networking I	5
IT 240 Linux server administration	5	CIS 106 Open source operating systems	5
IT 210 Information security	5	CIS 110 Introduction to computer security	3
IT 243 Windows server II	5	CIS 205 Computer operating systems II	5

¹Students must also pass first Cisco networking test.

Edmonds College

Edmonds College		Whatcom Community College
CIS 141 Introduction to web development	5	CS 140 Computer programming fundamentals I	5
CIS 171 Cisco networking I	5	CIS 226 Cisco networking I	5
CIS 172 Cisco networking II	5	CIS 227 Cisco networking II	5
CIS 173 Cisco networking III	5	CIS 228 Cisco networking III	5
CIS 174 Cisco networking IV	5	CIS 229 Cisco networking IV	5
CIS 265 Window server pro: install and configure	5	CIS 205 Operating systems II	5
CIS 277 Security implementation I	5	CIS 214 Network security I	5
CS 126 Linux & Unix II	5	CIS 106 Open source operating systems	5

Everett Community College

Everett Community College		Whatcom Community College
IT 117 CCNA 1: introduction to networks	5	CIS 226 Cisco networking I	5
IT 122 CCNA 2: routing & switching	5	CIS 227 Cisco networking II	5
IT 161 Computer hardware & tech support	4	CIS 206 Computer support I	5
IT 162 Computer operation & troubleshooting	4	CIS 105 Computer operating systems I	5
IT 180 Information security fundamentals	5	CIS 110 Introduction to computer security	3
IT 202 Server administration fundamentals	5	CIS 205 Computer operating systems II	5
IT 217 CCNA 3: scaling networks	5	CIS 228 Cisco networking III	5
IT 222 CCNA 4: connecting networks	5	CIS 229 Cisco networking IV	5
IT 240 Linux systems administration	5	CIS 106 Open source operating systems	5
IT 280 Ethical hacking and countermeasures	5	CIS 214 Network security I	5

Northwest Indian College

Skagit Valley College

Skagit Valley College		Whatcom Community College
CIS 104 Windows operating system	5	CIS 105 Computer operating systems I	5
CIS 105 Introduction to Linux	5	CIS 106 Open source operating systems	5
CIS 118 Computer hardware	5	CIS 206 Computer support I	5
CIS 145 Using Microsoft Windows	2	CIS 100 Computer literacy	2
CIS 148 The Internet	2	CIS 100 Computer literacy	1
CIS 222 Computer networking II	5	CIS 205 Computer operating systems II	5

South Puget Sound Community College

South Puget Sound Community College		Whatcom Community College
CNA 101 Cisco I	5	CIS 226 Cisco networking I	5
CNA 130 Introduction to Linux/Unix	5	CIS 106 Open source operating systems	5
CNA 150 Cisco II	5	CIS 227 Cisco networking II	5
CNA 221 Windows server administration	5	CIS 205 Computer operating systems II	5
CNA 251 Cisco III	5	CIS 228 Cisco networking III	5
CNA 252 Cisco IV	3	CIS 229 Cisco networking IV	5

FAQs

What are the standards to be successful in the CIS and cybersecurity programs?

Students of Whatcom's CIS and cybersecurity program must earn a grade of at least 2.0 (C) in each program course to earn the associate degree.

Cybersecurity students wishing to apply to be accepted into Western Washington University's Computer and Information Systems Security bachelor degree program must first earn the AAS-T degree in cybersecurity with at least a 2.5 GPA.

Students must demonstrate professional work behavior exhibited through class attendance, punctuality, and timely completion of class assignments.
What is the NCyTE Center?

The National Cybersecurity Training and Education Center (NCyTE) at Whatcom Community College is an Advanced Technological Education National Center, grant-funded by the National Science Foundation.

National in scope, the NCyTE Center is focused on building a comprehensive network of higher education institutions, businesses, and government agencies dedicated to developing and maintaining a robust cybersecurity workforce.

For more information, visit ncyte.net or email ncyte@whatcom.edu.
What are Cisco and the CCNA certifications?

Cisco Systems is the world leader in internet working products. The CCNA is the Cisco Certified Networking Associate certificate; it is an indication the individual is qualified for an entry level networking position. The goal is that students who complete a certain series of courses (CIS 236, 237, 238) will be qualified to take and pass both the Network + and the CCNA exams, and thus earn these industry-wide recognized professional certifications.
What are the requirements for employment in the fields of CIS and cybersecurity?

While not a requirement for entrance into the CIS and cybersecurity programs, students should be aware that many employers in this career field require criminal background checks.
What are the prerequisites for the CIS and cybersecurity programs?
- Recommend placement into MATH 094 (basic math) or above, or credits earned in higher level math course; and
- Recommend placement into ENGL 095 (basic composition and form) or above, or credits earned in higher level English courses.
- The cybersecurity AAS-T degree requires completion of CIS 105 (computer operating systems I) with a C (2.0) grade or better before enrolling in the CIS core courses.

More FAQ's »

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Northwest Indian College		Whatcom Community College
CMPS 243 Networking III: network administration	3	CIS 205 Computer operating systems II	5