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Degree Overview: Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Management Information Systems

Majors Overview May 29, 2015

Get information about Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in Management Information Systems and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.

Master of Science (M.S.) Programs in Management Information Systems

Coursework in master’s degree programs in management information systems (MIS) is devised to teach enrolled students about basic business software systems and the application of corporate strategies and design techniques. Students take about a year to complete most of these programs. A business degree is often a requirement for admission; some schools may require work experience or a degree in information technology (IT). Coursework may include completion of a capstone project or internship.

Education Requirements

Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree. At some schools, applicants are expected to have majored in a business-related field. Incoming students may also be required to possess previous IT knowledge or to complete prerequisite coursework. Prospective students are typically expected to submit Graduate Admissions Management Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. Resume that reflect relevant work experience and letters of recommendation may also be requirements for admittance at some schools.

Coursework

Capstone experiences are offered in some programs, thereby imparting valuable experience to students on the design of working information technology (IT) solutions to participating companies. Job shadowing opportunities or internships may also be available. Scholars may be allowed to complete specializations in virtual organization management, human resources, electronic marketing and accounting. Over the duration of the program, students are taught about evaluating systems and infrastructures, interpreting and understanding technology trends, establishing technology teams and applying technologies to multiple services and products. Core coursework may commonly cover topic areas such as:

•Systems analysis
•IT management
•Enterprise systems
•Database management
•Decision support systems

Career Choices

Armed with the advanced IT knowledge and managerial expertise required for the jobs, program graduates may seek mid-level IT management opportunities in information technology firms, government, or business settings. Program graduates may seek occupations in positions such as:

•Database manager
•System analyst
•Application designer
•System architect
•Project developer

Job and Wage Outlook

Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of 15% has been predicted for computer and information systems managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2013, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $123,950 (BLS). During the 2012 – 2022 decade, systems analysts are expected to see an above-average job growth of 25%. Database administrators are projected to experience a 15% growth in jobs. In May 2013, systems analysts and database administrators earned respective average annual wages of $81,190 and $78,520.

Continuing Education Choices

Program graduates may seek continued education by earning a doctoral degree in management information systems that could lead to careers in academia or research in the field. Students may also choose to advance their careers by completing a certificate program in security systems, foundation design, networks, and servers offered by organizations such as CompTIA or Cisco.

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