M.S. in Information Systems 2006

The master’s degree program in Information Systems (IS) provides flexible, modularized advanced training in IS design and management. Today organizations expect IS professionals to be competent in both breadth and depth of IT solutions. Students in this program are not only exposed to the breadth of information technologies (IT) but can also attain multiple competencies as IS professionals. With numerous competencies available, a student can choose those competencies that best meet current and future career plans. Future career possibilities include systems analysts,business analysts, IS managers, project leaders, IT consultants, database designers, enterprise systems integrators, IT architects, e-business systems developers, and network designers, who can integrate people, process, and organization to provide cutting-edge IT solutions.

FIND OUT MORE AT THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROGRAMS WEBSITE

• Prerequisite Phase
• Foundation Phase
• Advanced Phase
• Capstone Course
• Competency Course Cross Lists

Upon acceptance into the master’s degree program, the student will meet with a faculty advisor to discuss required courses for the Prerequisite Phase. The Prerequisite Phase is intended to ensure that all students enter graduate courses with an equivalent background. While completing this phase, a student is considered a conditionally admitted master’s student.

After the Prerequisite Phase, the student will complete 13 graduate level courses to meet degree requirements. In the Foundation Phase, a student will follow a sequence of courses to acquire an understanding of the technological and theoretical foundations for the particular degree. In the Advanced Phase of the program, the fundamental information learned previously allows a student to study advanced topics within their chosen degree with eight courses. This phase adds depth to the work completed in the Foundation Phase. Individual interests and needs are also addressed through a series of elective courses chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor. The student finishes the MS program with IS 577, the capstone course

Grade and GPA requirements

Grades: Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses. 

GPA: Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree. Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA. Students with a GPA of 3.90 or higher will graduate with distinction.

Prerequisite Phase

The courses in the Prerequisite Phase for the MS in Information Systems are:

Foundation Phase

Fully admitted students in the Foundation Knowledge phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced phase courses. The Foundation Knowledge phase courses for the MS in Information Systems are:

Advanced Phase

Advanced Phase (8 elective courses, at least three are 500-level courses)

The advanced phase is designed to meet a student’s career goals in Information Systems.  With numerous predefined competency modules, a student can gain expertise in more than one area.  There are two choices open to a student:

• The student may attain two or more competencies, by taking at least four courses listed under each competency module. Because some courses, such as IS 556 (project management), are shared by several modules, it is possible to attain more than two competencies. A student should pick competencies based on their career goals and preferences. For example, a student can pick Application Development and Project Management for a career as project manager or a student can pick E-Business Systems and Enterprise Systems Integration for a career as a web enterprise systems integrator.
• If a competency does not exist that meets a student’s career plans, a student can also design a personal breadth competency consisting of a maximum of 8 courses with advisor approval.  

Capstone Course (required)

Information System Modules

• Database Design I
• Database Design II
• Application Development
• Software Engineering
• Data Mining & Analytics
• Network Design
• e-Business Systems
• HCI Methods
• Internet Application Development
• Information Assurance & Security Design
• Enterprise Systems Integration
• Project Management
• Wireless/Mobile Applications
• Knowledge Management
• Advanced Internet Technologies
• IT Architecture Design
• IT Planning and Strategies
• Global Systems & Strategies
• Legal & Social Issues

Database Design I

Database Design II

Application Development

Software Engineering

Data Mining & Analytics

Network Design

e-Business Systems

HCI Methods

Internet Application Development

Information Assurance & Security Design

Enterprise Systems Integration

Project Management

Wireless/Mobile Applications

Knowledge Management

Advanced Internet Technologies

IT Architecture Design

IT Planning and Strategies

Global Systems & Strategies

Legal & Social Issues

Advanced Elective Restrictions

Elective courses are in the range of 420-699 and must be from the school of CTI. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit. Any course required for the student’s concentration but taken as part of the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be used to satisfy a competency, but cannot be used to satisfy the 8 elective course requirement.