BS Information Systems - Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Decision Making

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Illinois State University

Program Overview

The Information Systems - Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Decision Making major at Illinois State University combines information systems with artificial intelligence, data evaluation, and business decision-making, preparing students to understand how AI can be responsibly applied within organizations. The program is designed for students who want to work with emerging AI technologies while also understanding the data, ethical considerations, and organizational needs that determine when and how AI should be used.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin by developing the computing and quantitative foundation needed for information systems, while completing university general education requirements. Early study introduces programming, hardware and software concepts, mathematics, statistics, and the role of information technology in organizations, giving students a base for more advanced AI and information-systems coursework.

Second Year: Students progress into core Information Systems subjects and begin connecting technology with organizational problem-solving. Courses such as IT 214 Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Information Technology, IT 244 Business Analytics for Artificial Intelligence, and programming and systems-oriented coursework help students consider the technical, analytical, and ethical dimensions of using AI in business environments.

Third Year: Students develop more advanced AI and analytical capabilities, including applied machine learning and data-driven decision-making. Coursework such as IT 344 Techniques and Tools in Applied Machine Learning allows students to explore practical machine-learning methods, while additional Information Systems courses develop their ability to evaluate technologies and apply them to organizational challenges.

Fourth Year: Students bring together their information-systems, AI, analytics, and professional-practice knowledge and apply it in preparation for technology careers. The sequence requires a minimum of 82 hours within the major sequence and includes professional-practice options such as IT 391 or IT 398, allowing students to gain practical experience before graduation.

Focus Areas

Artificial intelligence, information systems, business analytics, decision-making, data evaluation, applied machine learning, technology management, ethical AI, organizational problem-solving, information technology

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to understand AI technologies, evaluate datasets used to train AI systems, assess the usefulness of AI applications, identify ethical issues surrounding AI, apply information systems to organizational problems, use analytical and machine-learning techniques, and make informed technology-related decisions within business environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Information Systems B.S. at Illinois State University is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Program Criteria for Information Systems and Similarly Named Computing Programs. The Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making sequence is part of this Information Systems B.S. program.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Illinois State describes the program as having been developed in close collaboration with industry partners and as preparing students for current technology jobs through a balance of technology and practical application. The university does not publish a separate employability ranking or salary outcome specifically for this AI and Decision Making sequence, so a program-specific ranking should not be claimed.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program is designed around applying information technology to real organizational problems, with Illinois State's School of Information Technology emphasizing real-world projects and professional experience. Students have access to dedicated computing laboratories, Smart Classroom technology, software resources, technical equipment, and professional-practice opportunities that allow them to move beyond theoretical AI concepts and apply their skills in realistic technology environments.

Students can build practical experience through these program-relevant opportunities:

Professional practice and internships: School of Information Technology students complete professional practice as part of their academic preparation, with internships providing an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a professional environment and develop connections with potential employers.
Business analytics for AI: IT 244 Business Analytics for Artificial Intelligence gives students a direct connection between AI and data-driven organizational decision-making.
Applied machine learning: IT 344 Techniques and Tools in Applied Machine Learning provides hands-on exposure to techniques and tools used in applied machine-learning work.
Dedicated computing laboratories: Students in the School of Information Technology have exclusive use of seven state-of-the-art microcomputer laboratories, along with additional special-use laboratories.
Smart Classrooms: IT courses are taught in classrooms using Smart Classroom technology, supporting technology-focused instruction and practical learning.
Software and technical resources: School of IT support provides access to Microsoft and VMware software stores at no cost to actively enrolled students, along with Linux Terminal Servers and support for virtual-machine environments.
Technical equipment: Students can access educational equipment such as Raspberry Pis, Arduinos, Galileos, and Lego Robots, as well as support for computer and server equipment and faculty-sponsored or class-driven IT projects.
Industry connections: The program was developed in close collaboration with industry partners, while the School of IT maintains employer relationships that support internships and professional opportunities for students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can apply their combination of information-systems, artificial-intelligence, analytics, and decision-making skills across technology and business environments. The program is particularly relevant to students who want to work with AI as an organizational technology, evaluating data and applications while considering business needs and ethical implications.

Typical career directions: AI Analyst, Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Information Systems Analyst

Career services: Illinois State Career Services provides career advising, employer connections, job and internship opportunities, career fairs, networking events, and career-readiness workshops. Students can also use Hire-A-Redbird to search for internships and jobs and connect with employers.
School of IT employer connections: The School of Information Technology works with employers that actively recruit IT students, supporting the internship process and helping students gain exposure to professional IT environments.
Industry engagement: The AI and Decision Making program was developed in close collaboration with industry partners and focuses specifically on the practical question of how and why organizations should deploy AI.
Mentoring and alumni support: The School of IT's professional mentorship program pairs students with professionals who can help them understand career areas, develop skills, and work toward their professional goals. Alumni can also provide internship opportunities and participate in the school's Business and Industry Advisory Council.
Employment and salary figures: Illinois State does not publish a current employment rate or starting-salary figure specifically for graduates of the Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making sequence. The university therefore does not provide an official program-specific salary figure that can be reliably stated here.
International career support: International students can use the Cultural Career Network and Office of International Engagement, including the GoinGlobal resource within Hire-A-Redbird, which provides international job-search information, employer and H-1B resources, hiring trends, networking guidance, and visa-related career information.
Long-term accreditation value: Because the sequence belongs to the Information Systems B.S., students benefit from the program's ABET accreditation under the Information Systems and Similarly Named Computing Programs criteria. This provides an established external quality framework for the underlying Information Systems degree.
Graduation and professional preparation: The curriculum combines technical computing skills with organizational and decision-making applications, while professional practice and employer engagement give students opportunities to build experience before entering the workforce.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Information Systems with the Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making sequence, students can continue into graduate-level study in areas such as information systems, computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, or related technology fields. Illinois State University's School of Information Technology offers a Master of Science in Information Systems with specialised sequences as well as a Master of Science in Computer Science, providing relevant routes for students who want to deepen their technical, analytical, or information-systems expertise.