Case Study: Decline In CIS/IT Degree Enrollment At A Medium-Sized University

Abstract

Within the past few years, colleges and universities in the United States and worldwide have noted a marked decline in the number of students enrolling in Computer and Information Systems (CIS) and Information Technology (IT) degree programs. With the potential for a rebounding U.S. economy, this shortage of new CIS and IT professionals gives cause for concern. The goal of the present research was to analyze CIS and IT enrollment trends at Robert Morris University and determine appropriate courses of action for meeting the anticipated demand for CIS/IT graduates. The study involved comparative and forecast analyses using actual student enrollment statistics and U.S. Department of Labor statistics. Forecast projections were determined out to and including the year 2013. The findings of the research suggest that CIS and IT degree enrollment at Robert Morris University lags associated employment trends in CIS/IT–related fields. Further, the findings parallel the analyses of other institutes of higher education, in which CIS/IT student enrollment projections are indicative of a shortage of information professionals over the next ten years. Based on the findings of the present study, the authors make several recommendations to Robert Morris University faculty and administration regarding strategies to address the ensuing CIS/IT skills gap.