Program Overview

Management Information Systems, Master of Science

The Master of Science in Management Information Systems program aims to equip graduates with the ability to successfully navigate the new realities of flattened and distributed IT knowledge in future organizations. This program provides additional technical IT knowledge and enables students from all business disciplines to better understand the realities of identifying, managing, and customizing computing solutions specific to their future organizational areas.

University Requirements

To receive a master's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master's degree programs require more than 30 units. You must additionally complete:

• All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
• All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
• All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.
• Minimum Units for Completion: 30
• Major GPA: 3.0
• Additional Admission Requirements: Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
• Progression Plan Link: View Program of Study

The Master of Science in Management Information Systems program (STEM-designated) aims to provide graduates with the ability to successfully navigate the new realities of flattened and distributed IT knowledge in future organizations. This program not only provides additional technical IT knowledge but also enables students from all business disciplines to better understand the realities of identifying, managing, and customizing computing solutions specific to their future organizational areas.

Students in the MS MIS program will complete a set of required courses including project management, e-commerce management, management of enterprise systems, management of information assurance and security, and a capstone experience. These courses are being built to increase the skills required to manage information systems for students entering from different undergraduate programs. Electives included in the MS MIS program will allow students to investigate a wide range of current and future computing solutions such as blockchain, web technology, cloud solutions, and applied analytics.

Armed with managerial skills and an enhanced knowledge of several computing solutions, graduates of the MS MIS program will become more valuable in their managerial roles within non-IT organizational areas. In addition to increased potential in traditional managerial roles, graduates will also find they will fit well in the following careers/roles:

• Business Process Analyst
• Chief Information Officer
• Information Security Analyst
• Information Technology Director
• IT Manager
• IT Project Manager
• Search Marketing Strategist
• Systems Administrator
• Systems Integration Specialist
• Technical Consultant

Student Learning Outcomes

• Manage the process of researching, selecting, and developing information systems.
  • Analyze the organizational situation to derive information system requirements.
  • Research and evaluate potential information system product solutions.
  • Develop, configure, customize, and manage software-based business solutions.
• Develop and manage information systems projects.
  • Determine an information systems project scope and project deliverables as they pertain to customer or user requirements.
  • Develop information systems tasks, schedules, and plans using project management software.
  • Plan and lead project planning meetings effectively by establishing objectives, creating agendas, and generating documentation.
  • Develop strategies to align projects with organizational cultural and social norms.
• Develop and manage organizational data security policies.
  • Assess potential security risks of accessing, obtaining, and storing data.
  • Compile security frameworks aligned with organizational standards and ethics, laws and regulations, and applicable standards bodies.
  • Develop and manage an information security program.

Details

Graduate Admission Information

The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. Admission requirements include the following:

• Transcripts.
• Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
• Essay/Letter of Intent/Personal Statement
• Priority will be given to students with Bachelor's degrees in Business or Information Systems-related fields.
• Students who have not completed a business degree will be required to complete a Business Foundations course in their first term of the program.

Master's Requirements

This Master's degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

• Management Information Systems Coursework: 15 units
• Elective Coursework: 15 units Take the following 30 units:
• Students must complete 24 units of formal letter-graded coursework.
• Management Information Systems Coursework (15 units)
  • ISM 530, ISM 555, ISM 560, ISM 590, ISM 596 (15 units)
• Elective Coursework (15 units)
  • Select from the following (15 units):
    • BAN 501, BAN 510, BAN 518, BAN 540, BAN 542, BAN 545, BAN 548, BAN 550, BAN 599
    • CYB 502, CYB 599
    • ITC 501, ITC 503, ITC 505, ITC 507, ITC 520

Campus Availability

• Flagstaff