Program Overview

Introduction to the MS Program in Information Systems

The MS Program in Information Systems is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in practical business and information technology knowledge. This program aims to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in the computer industry or in industries that utilize computers to support their business operations.

Educational Goals

Students who obtain an MSIS degree are qualified to do significant work in the computer industry or industries making use of computers to support their business. The program is geared to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop or interact with modern business solutions throughout their career.

Degree Requirements

The basic requirements for the degree are as follows:

• Students must complete 39 credits.
• Students must complete:
  • 5 Computer Science courses (within the parameters of the degree requirements)
  • 5 Stern courses (within the parameters of the degree requirements)
  • The Information Technology Projects course
  • 6 additional credits from either Computer Science or Stern
• Students may not take more than 21 credits in Stern.
• Students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and successfully complete at least 66% of the courses attempted.
• Students must complete their degree requirements within 5 years.

Research Opportunities

Students can get involved in research by finding a professor whose interests coincide with theirs. Often, this will be a professor whom the student has gotten to know during a class. Students can contact the professor to see if they can find a project of mutual interest. The project can be done for credit, as an independent study, if approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Course of Study

Further course advice can be found in the MSIS Course Roadmap. Students can register for Stern courses on Albert, and they should consult the Stern Registration Procedures for MSIS Students for more information.

International Students

New international students must complete an arrival form and submit their Immigration documents to the Office of Global Services (OGS). Students must also attend an International student orientation through OGS. They must register on time each fall and spring semester, as failure to do so may result in the revocation of their visa. Students on an F1 visa must maintain full-time status, which is considered 9 credits in the Computer Science department. However, students must request Full Time Equivalency each fall and spring semester.

Financial Aid and Employment

There is no financial aid for master's students. However, international students on a student visa are eligible for jobs within the university, which can be found through the Wasserman Center for Career Development. These jobs include grading and other positions, although they are not sufficient for funding education or meeting living expenses. Students can also take up to 2 paid internship courses while completing their master's degree.

Career Opportunities

The MSIS program provides students with a solid foundation of practical business and information technology knowledge that will help them succeed in their careers. MSIS graduates work in a variety of fields, including:

• Analyst
• Program Manager
• Senior Technical Engineer
• Solution Architect
• AVP, Information Technology
• Financial Software Developer They are employed by leading companies, such as:
• Bloomberg
• Credit Suisse
• IBM
• JP Morgan Chase
• Morgan Stanley
• Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

Ph.D. Program

MS students who wish to enter the Ph.D. program must submit a new complete application and are considered together with all the applicants to the Ph.D. program. A high GPA is essential, and research experience is a plus. There is no special mechanism for transferring from the MS to the Ph.D. program.