Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Management Information Systems (MIS)
Majors Overview April 4, 2014Students will develop the management and leadership skills required in the information technology (IT) field with bachelor’s degree programs in Management Information Systems. The responsibility of organizing, observing, and creating IT systems and services falls on professionals who work in this field.
B.S. Programs in Management Information Systems (MIS)
Students enrolled in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Management Information Systems (MIS) are required to complete core coursework related to business and computer information systems. These programs span four years to prepare students for particular occupations, offering elective courses in particular subjects in the field, such as systems development and information security. Internship opportunities may be offered whereby students can get to work with trained professionals and gain hands-on experience, while being provided with networking opportunities; students can also use their experience to help select a specialization in the field.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma.
Coursework
Coursework focuses on both business concepts and computer systems, and may include subjects such as business data warehousing, data analysis, business management, database management, and computer science. Coursework may also include topic areas such as:
•Accounting
•Electronic information
•Marketing
•C++ programming
•Microeconomics
•Global information systems management
•Electronic commerce
•Business finance
•Statistics
•Web systems development
Career Choices
The bachelor’s degree programs in Management Information Systems are devised to train graduates to employ their understanding of computer technology and business ideas in various leadership and management positions. These professionals may choose from possible career titles such as:
•Data analyst
•Computer systems manager
•IT developer
•Security specialist
Job and Wage Outlook
An 18% employment growth rate has been predicted for computer and information systems managers over the 2010-2020 decade, while the corresponding growth rate of 22% has been projected for computer systems analysts (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). In May 2012, computer and information systems managers took home an average annual wage of $120,950, while computer systems analysts earned $79,680 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates from the bachelor’s degree program can seek continued education and advance their careers by earning a master’s degree in the field. Coursework in master’s degree programs is typically a combination of business and technology ideas devised to develop students’ technical, organizational and advanced planning skills.
Coursework may include subject areas such as systems analysis, decision making, project management, and telecommunications. Students may have to complete a capstone experience or graduate project, in addition to submitting a master’s thesis and attending a seminar.