Auditing for Information Systems Certificate

phrases indicating the benefits of the program over an image of a building on campus

The growth in information technology capabilities and the effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other legislation, are driving demand for information technology auditors in public, private, nonprofit and government sectors. The objective of this program is to prepare the student for entry positions in the IT audit field and for certification as an information systems auditor.

While open to all majors, the target audience is the Business Technology Administration (BTA) or Information Systems (IS) major who is also interested in the accounting and auditing field, and the ECON or FIEC major who is completing the Accounting Certificate. The interdisciplinary combination of information technology knowledge and accounting and auditing skills will provide the student a competitive advantage in this growing field upon their graduation.

Courses required to complete the certificate are below. Course descriptions can be found in the Course Catalog. The printed course catalog contains the official listing of program requirements and takes precedence over information listed on this site. Should you discover a discrepancy between the printed catalog and any information posted on this site, please contact the Department of Information Systems for instructions.

Curriculum (27 credits):

  • IS 300 – Management Information Systems (credits: 3)
  • IS 350 – Business Communications Systems (credits: 3)
  • IS 430 – Information Systems and Security (credits: 3)
  • ECON 301 – Intermediate Accounting I (credits: 3)
  • IS 317 / ECAC 317 – Accounting Information Systems (credits: 3)
  • ECAC 321 – Auditing Theory and Practice (credits: 3)
  • IS 474 – Technology Law (credits: 3) OR MGMT 360 – Business Law (credits: 3)
  • IS 304 – Ethical Issues in Information Systems (credits: 3) OR MGMT 385 – Business Ethics and Society (credits: 3)
  • IS 417 / ECAC 420 – Information Systems for Auditors (credits: 3)

Notes:

  • This upper division certificate is only available to currently enrolled degree-seeking undergraduate students at UMBC. Your major can be from any of those offered at the university. Non-degree seeking students are unable to declare participation in any IS undergraduate certificate program.
  • Certificates do not require departmental permission. Please use the Undergraduate Declaration of Major, Minor, and Certificate Form to add a certificate.
      • Notice of successful completion is placed on the transcript at time of graduation. There is not a separate certificate document.
  • An Important Note: Although we do not require department permission, before submitting the form to add a certificate please contact IS Director of Undergraduate Programs, Richard Sponaugle, rspona1@umbc.edu, for information and prerequisites. Some individual courses may require permission to enroll, and it is important to discuss the timing of offerings and prereqs before submitting the form for the Auditing for Information Systems certificate.
  • Upper level courses taken to satisfy an IS certificate requirement may not also be used to satisfy the required upper level IS elective course in the IS or BTA majors. All upper level courses count toward the 45 upper level credits required to graduate from UMBC.
  • All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.