Computer Information Systems

Oakton's Computer Information Systems (CIS) program brings emerging technologies and state-of-the-art computer training to students of varying levels of computer proficiency. If you're interested in becoming a computer professional, this program will give you the technical, analytical and communication skills you need to thrive in a number of careers.

Students who graduate with a degree in Computer Information Systems are qualified to work as computer programmers, mobile programmers, systems analysts, computer support specialists and website developers.

Course offerings include computer literacy, programming logic, programming languages, mobile programming, website development and maintenance, operating systems, information systems management, systems analysis and design, database management and more.

Whether you're a veteran information technology professional trying to learn new skills or relatively new to the field, our CIS courses will take you to the next level.

Degrees and Certificates

Some of your classes may have minimum technology requirements. If you need help with computer access, you can reach out to the Information Technology Help Desk to request to borrow equipment or contact your professor prior to class.

This degree prepares the student to support a computer system at an entry-level in the areas of software, hardware, programming, and networks in a business environment or to be a liaison between the IT department and other departments in the organization.

The A.A.S. Computers and Information Systems (62 credits) is designed to give a student a broad base of computer knowledge in the various computer areas of programming, networking, operating systems, website development, software applications, technical writing and computer hardware. The student can emphasize one specific area with electives.

Learn More

Are you ready to embark on a journey of mastering business-oriented computer programming? Our degree program is designed to equip you with the skills you need, from grasping fundamental programming concepts to mastering advanced application development.

Throughout your studies, you'll delve into various programming languages, development tools, and industry best practices. By the end, you'll be adept at creating and managing software applications that meet the high standards and demands of today's tech industry. It's your pathway to success in the dynamic world of computer programming.

Learn More

Accelerate your career by earning professional certifications and credentials at Oakton. Programs that result in a certification meet the educational requirements for the state of Illinois.

The Advanced Web Site Developer Certificate is a 41 credit hour program in which you will learn Advanced Web Page Development (CIS 171), Web Database Management (CIS 248) and more.

Learn More

This certificate allows students to determine which courses they need to take to meet their personal computer knowledge and computer skills goals. 

Learn More

This certificate is designed to develop an individual’s basic computer skills and Internet knowledge to manage a computer system. This certificate can be completed in one semester.

Learn More

This comprehensive program is designed to empower you with the knowledge and practical skills you’ll need to navigate the landscape of applied artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing a no-code approach. You can complete the certificate in one year or less.

Learn More

This certificate can be completed in one semester with 11 credit hours. 

Learn More

This certificate is designed to develop an individual’s basic computer skills and Internet knowledge to promote success in using a computer in day-to-day living (school, work, personal).

Learn More

This certificate prepares the student to install, operate, and troubleshoot the Linux network including its workstations and servers, and provide security.

Learn More

This certificate prepares students to use computer technology for solving real-world business issues in information systems such as billing, payroll, financial transaction, scheduling, and customer service.

Learn More

You can complete this certificate in one semester with classes in project management. 

Learn More

This certificate prepares the student to install, operate, troubleshoot, monitor and improve the performance of an Oracle database. The courses will help students prepare for Oracle Database Administrator certification.

Learn More

This certificate prepares the student to provide an entry-level support of a computer system software and hardware in a business environment or to be a liaison between the IT department and other departments in the organization.

Learn More

This certificate immerses you in the dynamic world of software development, arming you with the crucial skills and know-how to excel.

With an expansive curriculum that spans from basic programming principles to sophisticated app development, you'll master various programming languages, tools, and best practices.

This comprehensive learning journey prepares you for industry demands and empowers you to craft and enhance software solutions adhering to professional standards.

Learn More

You can earn this certificate in one semester with 16 credit hours. Among the classes you will take are Introduction to Web Design (ART 259) and Web Page Development (CIS 131).

Learn More

Our Web Site Support and Maintenance Certificate is a 28 credit hour course in which you will take classes like Adobe Photoshop (CAB 172), Web Page Development (CIS 131) and Web Development Tools (CIS 152).

Learn More

What's Next?

We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.

A professor teaches class at Oakton College.

Take Career Assessment

Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.

99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.

To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.

We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.

Learn more about your options for paying for your education

An Oakton College student smiles while using a computer.
As your community college, we serve students from various backgrounds. We aim to make the application process as easy and as clear as possible for everyone.

We can help you get started on a degree or certificate. Applying to Oakton is fast and easy.

Your first step before you begin your studies is filling out an admission application and completing your enrollment process.

Get Started at Oakton
Oakton College students celebrate graduating in full regalia.

Meet Your Faculty and Experts

Oakton's professors and lecturers are experts in their fields with advanced degrees and years of real-world experience.

In addition to classroom learning, students receive support from our panel of expert advisors.

Ragaa Abdallah, Chair
Professor and Chair, Computer Technologies and Information Systems
B.S. The American University in Cairo
rabdalla@oakton.edu
847.635.1969
Office: 2618, Des Plaines

Reza Dai
Professor of Electronics, Local Area Networks and Mathematics
B.S.E.E. Oregon State University
M.S. Oregon State University
M.S. Purdue University
M.S.E. Purdue University
rdai@oakton.edu
847.376.7778
Office: P111, Skokie

Doris Gronseth, Coordinator, Computer Applications for Business
Distinguished Professor of Computer Technologies and Information Systems
B.A. Lewis University
M.B.A. Lewis University
M.A. Webster University
dgronset@oakton.edu
847.376.7055
Office: 2751, Des Plaines

Clarence Sistrunk
Associate Professor
BPS Roosevelt University
M.S. Ed. Chicago State University
csistrun@oakton.edu
847.376.7649
Office: P220, Skokie

Meet our part time faculty

Floyd Aylin
Lecturer
A.A. Oakton College
B.S. San Jose State University
M.S. San Jose State University
faylin@oakton.edu
224.595.1943
Office: B206, Skokie

David Baysingar
Lecturer
dbaysing@oakton.edu
Maine Township High Schools

Johannes Beer
Lecturer
jbeer@oakton.edu
Maine Township High Schools

Arun Bhandari
Lecturer
B.S. DePaul University
M.S. DePaul University
abhandar@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Ikram Bokhari
Lecturer
Telecommunications Certificate  DePaul University
A.S.  Queensborough Community College
B.S.M.E.  Pratt Institute
M.B.A.  Illinois Institute of Technology
ibokhari@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Marc Buslik
Lecturer
buslik@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Ross Capaccio
Lecturer
B.A. Northeastern Illinois University
M.A. Northeastern Illinois University
rcapacci@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Isabela Ciuca
Lecturer
lciuca@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Joanne Delaney
Lecturer
B.S. Mundelein College
M.S. DePaul University
J.D. DePaul University
jdelaney@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Will Greenwald
Lecturer
wgreenwa@oakton.edu
Maine Township High Schools

Ogar Haji
Lecturer
ohaji@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Pamela Kouris
Lecturer
pkouris@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Terry Lange
Lecturer
tlange@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Mary Morrissey
Lecturer
B.A. Northeastern Illinois University
M.B.A. University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business
mmkuehn@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

James Papademas
Lecturer
jpapadem@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Katherine Papademas
Lecturer
B.S. University of Illinois, Chicago
M.S. University of Illinois, Chicago
M.S. Roosevelt University
J.D. John Marshall Law School
kpapadem@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Luke Papademas
Lecturer
M.S. Illinois Institute of Technology
M.I.S.M. Keller Graduate School of Management
M.S. Roosevelt University
lpapadem@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Derek Pasnick
Lecturer
A.A. Oakton College
B.A. Loyola University Chicago
M.A. Loyola University Chicago
M.S.I.S.M. Loyola University Chicago
dpasnick@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Sandip Patel
Lecturer
sandipp@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Robert Pielet
Lecturer
B.B.A University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
M.A Loyola University of Chicago
M.B.A. Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
rlpielet@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Elizabeth Ardolino, PhD, PMP
Founder
Global Project Management Services

Nick Boulamatsis
Network Analyst II
National Futures Association

Marc Buslik
Captain
Chicago Police Department
Patrol Division

Raj Chahal
Salesforce Platform Systems Analyst/ Lead Developer
Allstate Insurance

Isabela Ciuca
Business Information Developer
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Bryan Gilley
Director, Technology
Emergency Nurses Association

Renee Kozimor
Director, Software and User Services
Oakton College

Chris Oehlerking
UOP

Derek Pasnick
Resident Consultant
Nutanix

Mahendra Patel
Packaging Corporation of America

Robert Pielet
Your PC Help Desk

Andy Pozdol
Developer
a360inc

Art Shipulin
CTO
Steersman Company

Rose Wagner
Sr. Business Analyst & Software Developer
Oakton College

Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

  • General Programmer Track
  • Mobile Programmer Track
  • Web Developer Track

  • CIS131: Web Page Development (HTML and CSS)
  • CIS171: Advanced Web Page Development

A student may earn credit for CIS101 through the CLEP exam. Contact the testing center in Des Plaines to set up a time to take the exam. No other CIS proficiency tests are available. A student may earn credit based on knowledge gained on the job or personally; this is called experiential learning. Contact the CIS program coordinator, John Stryker, at 847.635.1969 to discuss this further.

Students can register for a course without taking the prerequisite course. The student is expected to have the equivalent knowledge of the prerequisite course on the first day of class. The instructor may assign a project or ask the students to take an exam covering the material from the prerequisite course on the first day of class and you would need to be successful in this activity. It is strongly recommended that the student talk to the CIS program coordinator, John Stryker, 847.635.1969 before the class begins. The student's knowledge will be evaluated, and a recommendation will be made.

Depending on your work experience, you may be able to substitute an advanced course for a required lower-level course. For example, if you have strong knowledge of the Windows Operating System (CIS116), you could substitute the CIS118 - Introduction to the Linux Operating System course in its place. Another example is that the student can take an advanced programming language in place of an introductory programming language. Students may also take EGL 111 or EGL 212 in place of CIS205. Call the CIS coordinator, John Stryker at 847.635.1969, to make a substitution determination.

In working towards any degree or certificate, students must earn the number of credits for that degree or certificate. This can be done by taking the required courses, substituting courses or earning Oakton credit for life experience.

Courses are offered days, nights and weekends on both the Des Plaines and Skokie campuses. Some classes are offered in person only, online only and some are hybrid classes (the class has an online component and limited face-to-face meetings).

Contact John Stryker at 847.635.1969 or jstryker@oakton.edu. Other arrangements can be made such as setting up the course as an independent study or substituting a course for the required course.

Many of the CIS courses transfer to other schools. Some satisfy a requirement and others can be used as electives. CIS101 and CIS103 typically transfer. Many of the programming language courses transfer. Contact Academic Advising or the school you are transferring to for further information on transferring Oakton credits.

  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Northern Illinois University
  • National-Louis University
  • DePaul University
  • DeVry University
  • Northeastern Illinois University

  • CIS180-Introduction to Visual Basic .NET Programming and CAB140-Database Applications Using Access can be taken concurrently.
  • Complete CAB140-Database Applications using Access before taking CIS210-Visual Basic .NET Programming for Files and Databases.
  • CIS101–Introduction to Information Systems and CIS103-Computer Software and Concepts can be taken concurrently.
  • CIS131-Web Page Development and CAB140-Database Applications Using Access can be taken concurrently.

Consider taking the following courses in the same semester:

  • CAB135-Electronic Spreadsheeting Using Excel.
  • CAB140-Database Applications Using Access.
  • CIS116-Introduction to the MS-Windows Operating System.
  • ELT130-Microcomputer Hardware Systems.


Consider taking the following courses in the same semester, as these classes are typically offered as 8-week courses and can be taken back to back:

  • CIS118-Linux Operating System and CIS218-Advanced Linux Operating System.
  • CIS143-Introduction to SQL and CIS145-Database Fundamentals I.
  • CIS245-Database Fundamentals II and CIS247-Performance Tuning (these are offered Spring semester only).