Information Science and Data Analytics, BS (SJSU Online) + Informatics, MS (Pending Chancellor’s Office Approval)

Admissions Requirements
Graduate Standing Requirements
Program Requirements (139 units)

This program is pending Chancellor’s Office Approval.

The Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education (SAGE) Scholars Program provides qualified transfer students in the Information Science and Data Analytics, BS (SJSU Online) program the opportunity to complete both the bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Informatics, MS through an accelerated pathway following entry into the upper-division BSISDA program. Students who have completed prerequisite and lower-division requirements may complete both degrees in approximately three years following entry into upper-division BSISDA coursework. The program is delivered fully online in an asynchronous format. The program combines the BSISDA’s foundation in data analytics, information architecture, and human-centered technology with graduate-level coursework in cybersecurity and privacy, preparing students for careers at the intersection of data and security through a designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), nationally validated by the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Security Agency. Rather than completing the two degrees sequentially, SAGE students move through a structured sequence of upper-division undergraduate and graduate-level courses simultaneously, with 12 units counting toward both degrees, reducing total units required and accelerating the path to both credentials. Total time to degree may vary depending on a student’s transfer units and prior completion of lower-division requirements.

This SAGE pathway applies only to the SJSU Online/Special Session BSISDA program and the Cybersecurity & Privacy pathway within the MS in Informatics program.

Total SAGE Program Units (BS + MS) 139

For more information, contact the SAGE Scholars Program Coordinator

Admissions Requirements

Students must successfully complete a minimum of 60 undergraduate degree applicable units and not more than 120 undergraduate degree applicable units at the time of admission into the SAGE program.
Students must be enrolled in or have completed the undergraduate Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (Area Z/100W/GWAR prior to admission into the SAGE program).
Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of admission into the SAGE program. Note that there may be SAGE programs that require a higher GPA admission standard.

Graduate Standing Requirements

All Information Science and Data Analytics, BS (SJSU Online) (BSISDA) undergraduates are eligible to apply for, and be admitted to, the SAGE program if they fulfill the following requirements: Complete ISDA prerequisites:ISDA 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D prior to beginning the SAGE pathway timeline.

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, with no individual grade below a C. Students in the first four years of the program who do not maintain these standards will be withdrawn from the SAGE Scholars program and returned to the non-SAGE program.
Meeting every semester with an academic advisor to plan and track coursework and graduate status. Once the degree is conferred, students meet every semester with their graduate advisor to plan a formal course of study.
The proposed graduate program must be approved by the graduate coordinator before the student may be considered a candidate for the graduate degree.
Students must earn a grade of B or higher in all double-counted classes. Students are additionally supported by program coordinators and student success advisors within the College of Information, Data and Society.

Culminating Experience

Plan B (Project)

INFM 211 - Informatics Culminating Project
(Capstone course)

Program Requirements (139 units)

Information Science and Data Analytics, BS (SJSU Online) (109 units)

Students must satisfy all major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements, including unit, GPA, and residency requirements. In addition, they must complete General Education, American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements listed below. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are indicated with an area designation (see Course Note Abbreviations).
(Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements apply to this major.)

Transfer Units and University Requirements (72 units)

All applicants are required to have completed at least 60 transferable semester or 90 quarter units with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better. Applicants must also have completed the Core Lower Division General Education Requirements (34 units), including all four CSU-approved Basics Skills courses, each with a C- or better:

GE Area 1A (Formerly Area A2) - Written English Composition
GE Area 1B (Formerly Area A3) - Critical Thinking/Logic
GE Area 1C (Formerly Area A1) - Oral Communication/Speech
GE Area 2 (Formerly Area B4) - Math/Quantitative Reasoning (Above the level of intermediate algebra.)
GE Area 6 (Formerly Area F) - Ethnic Studies (Must be completed with a C- or better to meet the requirement at San Jose State University.)

It is recommended that students complete all lower division General Education and the Physical Education requirement before applying for admission.
Completion of at least 5 units of the following courses (or equivalents), each with a grade of C- or better

ISDA 20A - Query Languages
1 unit
ISDA 20B - Python Programming
2 unit(s)
ISDA 20C - Web Development
1 unit
ISDA 20D - Computer Operating Systems
1 unit

Upper Division GE and GWAR / WID: 12

Major Requirements (25 units)

ISDA 101 - Online Learning: Tools and Strategies for Success 1 unit(s)
ISDA 110 - Technology, Culture, and Society 3 unit(s)
ISDA 111 - Information and Data Science 3 unit(s)
ISDA 123 - Information Assurance 2 unit(s)
ISDA 130 - User Centered Interface Architecture 3 unit(s)
ISDA 131 - Information Architecture 3 unit(s)
ISDA 140 - Big Data Analytics and Management 3 unit(s)
ISDA 141 - Information Visualization 3 unit(s)
ISDA 170 - The Emerging Future: Technology Issues and Trends 4 unit(s)

Major Electives (12 units)

Major electives are offered within the ISDA program including ISDA 80, 81, 150, 160, 180, and 181. Other electives may be selected in consultation with an advisor from approved courses outside the department or from approved graduate courses in the School of Information in areas such as Health Data Analytics, Enterprise Content Management and Digital Preservation, and Problem Solving with Data. If electives from the School of Information graduate courses are used to meet the elective requirements, the courses can only be used for the bachelor’s degree and cannot be later applied to any graduate degree.

Master of Science in Informatics (30 units)

Core Courses (18 units)

INFM 200 - Informatics: Fundamentals 3 unit(s) (CGGWAR)
INFM 201 - Informatics: Technology Foundations 2 unit(s)
INFM 202 - Informatics: Security Overview 1 unit(s)
INFM 203 - Big Data Analytics and Management 2 unit(s)
INFM 204 - Human Centered Design 2 unit(s)
INFM 205 - Informatics: Project Management 2 unit(s)
INFM 206 - Electronic Records: Foundations 3 unit(s)
INFM 207 - DAM: Digital Assets Management 2 unit(s)
INFM 208 - Information Security: Info Assurance 1 unit(s)

Elective Courses (12 units)

Cybersecurity and Privacy Career Pathway Courses (9 units)
INFM 215 - Network Security 3 unit(s)
INFM 216 - Computer Digital Forensics 3 unit(s)
INFM 217 - Tools Lab 3 unit(s)
Culminating Experience (3 units)
INFM 211 - Informatics Culminating Project 3 unit(s)

Total Units Required (139 units)

Double-counting credits between degrees Note: Approved double-counted coursework allows up to 12 units to satisfy requirements in both the BSISDA and MSI degrees.

Substitution of ISDA 100 by INFM 200

The ISDA program requires students to take ISDA 100 - Technical Writing for Information (3 units), the key goal of which is to develop writing skills about technical topics. Students satisfy this requirement in the SAGE Scholars Program by completing INFM 200 - Informatics: Fundamentals (3 units), which also has the goal of developing writing skills and in addition includes content knowledge about informatics.

Substitution of ISDA 120 by INFM 215

The ISDA program requires students to take ISDA 120 - Information Security (3 units), which covers network security, risk, and ethics. Students satisfy this requirement in the SAGE Scholars Program by completing INFM 215 - Network Security (3 units), which covers network security, ethics, compliance, and technical solutions.

Substitution of ISDA 121 by INFM 216

The ISDA program requires students to take ISDA 121 - Human Centered Cybersecurity (3 units), which covers human factors in security. Students satisfy this requirement in the SAGE Scholars Program by completing INFM 216 - Computer Digital Forensics (3 units), which covers technical means for collecting evidence of human driven criminal activity.

Substitution of ISDA 122 by INFM 217

The ISDA program requires students to take ISDA 122 - Privacy, Security, Ethics (2 units), which addresses technical controls and personal information. Students satisfy this requirement in the SAGE Scholars Program by completing INFM 217 - Tools Lab (3 units), which covers security tools for protecting personal and sensitive information.

These 12 units (12 units in the MS in Informatics (Cybersecurity & Privacy Pathway) approved courses

INFM 200

, 215, 216, and 217) are considered to count toward both the graduate and undergraduate degrees, thus allowing SAGE students to meet the minimum unit requirements for both degrees.