Information Systems and Technology MS

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology (MSIST) program equips students with technical and managerial expertise in IT. It offers flexible schedules and course formats, allowing students to balance school, work, and personal life. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in IT, including IT management, systems analysis, cybersecurity, and data science. The program emphasizes industry engagement and a well-rounded curriculum that combines technical and managerial knowledge.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology (MSIST) program is designed to provide students with the technical and managerial knowledge needed to succeed in design, development, and leadership roles related to information technology (IT). The program offers opportunities to develop skills in application development, business intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, fintech, and other emerging areas that shape organizational IT strategies.

Objectives:

• Prepare students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds, including business, information systems and technology, computer science, engineering, and other disciplines, for careers in IT.
• Provide students with a well-rounded perspective on the role of IT in contemporary organizations through interactions with peers and industry executives.
• Offer flexible class schedules and course delivery formats to accommodate students balancing school, work, and personal life.
• Allow students to complete the degree by combining two graduate certificates and taking two additional courses toward the MSIST degree.

Outline:

Program Content:

• Covers various aspects of information systems and technology, including:
• Application development
• Business intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Cloud computing
• Fintech
• Includes foundational knowledge in data analysis and computer programming.

Structure:

• Requires a total of 30 hours for students with either business or non-business undergraduate degrees.
• Consists of core courses, certificate requirements, and elective courses.

Course Schedule:

• Offers flexible class schedules with day, evening, and weekend options.
• Provides 8 or 16-week session formats.

Individual Modules:

• Core Courses:
• INFSYS 5800 (3 hours)
• Certificate Requirements:
• Students must complete two of the following certificates:
• Graduate Certificate in Enterprise Systems Development
• Graduate Certificate in Information Security Management and Auditing
• Graduate Certificate in Information Systems and Technology
• Graduate Certificate in Business Intelligence
• Elective Courses:
• Students can choose one elective course from the following list or from the certificates mentioned above.
Courses may also be substituted with other courses with approval from the Department Chair:
• Cybersecurity Courses
• INFSYS 6836 Management of Data Networks and Security (3 hours)
• INFSYS 6858 Advanced Cybersecurity Concepts (3 hours)
• INFSYS 6864 Applied Cryptography for Business Applications (3 hours)
• INFSYS 6888 Capstone in Information Security (3 hours)
• Information Systems and Technology Management
• INFSYS 6832 (3 hours)
• INFSYS 6838 Business Processes: Design, Management, and Integration (3 hours)
• INFSYS 6847 Project Management (3 hours)
• Experiential Learning, Research, and Emerging Topics
• INFSYS 5890 Graduate Internship in Information Systems (1 hour)
• INFSYS 5899 Individual Research in Information Systems (1 hour)
• INFSYS 6891 Seminar in Information Systems (3 hours)

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

• May vary depending on the specific course and instructor.
• May include:
• Exams
• Quizzes
• Assignments
• Projects
• Presentations

Assessment Criteria:

• Typically based on:
• Knowledge and understanding of course material
• Application of concepts to real-world scenarios
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation abilities

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• Employs a variety of teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles.
• May include:
• Lectures
• Discussions
• Case studies
• Simulations
• Hands-on projects

Faculty:

• Comprised of experienced and knowledgeable faculty with expertise in various areas of information systems and technology.

Unique Approaches:

• Provides opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals through guest lectures, internships, and other collaborative initiatives.
• Offers a well-rounded curriculum that combines technical and managerial knowledge to prepare students for leadership roles in IT.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• The program prepares graduates for various career paths in the field of information technology, including:
• IT managers
• Systems analysts
• Database administrators
• Software engineers
• Cybersecurity analysts
• Data scientists
• Business intelligence analysts

Opportunities:

• Graduates are well-positioned for advancement opportunities within their organizations or to pursue new roles in the IT industry.

Outcomes:

• The program aims to produce graduates who are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving field of information technology.