Abstract: Skill/knowledge areas for undergraduate information systems (IS) curricula were assessed by computer and/or information systems professionals who were graduates of a small four-year college program. Survey of graduates was an initial step used to make recommendations for an IS program that would meet the needs of students enrolled in the small four-year college program and their potential employers. Forty graduates representing five regions of the country, and employed in positions ranging from analyst to software engineer participated. Findings indicated that more than 50 percent of graduates believed they possessed 27 (71.1%) of the skill/knowledge areas when hired. Of interest in designing a new program was finding that each of the 11 (28.9%) skill/knowledge areas not possessed required use of higher-order thinking skills, and used terms such as analyze, evaluate, and specify. However, of the skill/knowledge areas not possessed, graduates rated 8 (27.3%) not important or only moderately important in their work. More than half of graduates rated 20 (52.6%) of the 38 skill/knowledge areas very important or absolutely essential in their work.

Keywords: Information systems, IS graduates' perceptions, IS skills/knowledge

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Recommended Citation: Womble, M. N. (1994). Graduates Assess Needed Skills and Knowledge for an Information Systems Program in a Small College. Journal of Information Systems Education, 6(1), 12-17.