Apr 16, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Master of Science in Management Information Systems

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Department of Operations Management and Information Systems

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

The M.S. program in management information systems prepares students to assume leadership roles in the area of business information systems. The program effectively integrates the technical area of computer technology with business processes. The purpose of the program is to expose students to current information technologies and the application of contemporary information management theories.

The program consists of two phases. Phase One is designed to address deficiencies in undergraduate course work considered to be prerequisite for the Phase Two (30 semester hours) graduate course work. Students with significant undergraduate course work in business may be waived from some, or all, of the Phase One requirements. Exemption exams are also available to waive Phase One requirements. There is no charge for the exam, however, a student may only attempt each exam once.

Phase Two consists of 10 courses, seven of which are required of all majors and three of which consist of elective courses selected by the student with the approval of the academic program coordinator. Whereas the required courses ensure an in-depth exposure to important management information systems issues and technology, the elective courses enable the student to survey related areas or to focus in a particular area of their choice. Moreover, the focus can also be achieved through selecting courses from the Business Analytics Specialization and/or SAP and Business Enterprise Computing Specialization offered in the program.

The student is required to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved graduate work beyond Phase One and the baccalaureate degree. Of these 30 semester hours, 21 must be in classes reserved exclusively for admitted graduate students. Students-at-large are prohibited from registering for graduate business courses without departmental approval. The total credit from courses taken for graduate credit at other accredited institutions which are accepted in transfer plus credit earned at NIU as a student-at-large may not exceed 9 semester hours.

Each MIS student will not be allowed to take more than 12 credit hours per semester.

NIU University Honors students who graduate with a B.A. or B.S. are guaranteed admission into the Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS) program as space permits.

Master of Science in Management Information Systems Program Competencies and Learning Objectives

Graduates of the Master of Science in Management Information Systems program are expected to achieve the following program competencies and learning objectives.

Program Core Competencies and Learning Objectives

1. Technology: To provide the student with the knowledge to apply information technology effectively.

  • The student can compare and contrast hardware, software, and networking technologies.
  • The student can create and manage databases.

2. Information Technology Strategy and Management: To prepare the student to make business driven decisions relating to the management of information technology.

  • The student can formulate a strategy for the use of information technology within a business.
  • The student can apply project management concepts, processes, knowledge areas, and tools to plan and manage IT projects.

3. Critical Thinking and Analysis: To provide the student with tools and techniques to understand unstructured business issues in the information technology domain.

  • The student can analyze and model organizational processes, business rules, and data.
  • The student can develop a computer-based application designed to address an organizational problem.

Program Specialization Competencies and Learning Objectives

4. Business Analytics: To provide the student with the knowledge to analyze business data.

  • The student can select appropriate methods for data analysis.
  • The student can analyze data to solve business problems.

5. SAP and Business Enterprise Computing: To provide the student with the knowledge to develop and implement enterprise-wide information technology solutions.

  • The student can configure and customize SAP enterprise software to support organizational operations.
  • The student can analyze organizational data using SAP business intelligence tools.

Phase One

The Phase One foundations consist of four 2-semester-hour courses. Phase One foundation courses will be required in the student’s program of study unless he or she has earned a C or better in corresponding undergraduate courses or a B or better in equivalent graduate courses elsewhere, or has passed the first and only attempt of the Phase One exemption examination. The department MIS program adviser will determine which Phase One courses will be included in each student’s program of courses. Phase One courses cannot be used as Phase Two electives; credits earned in Phase One will not count toward the Phase Two requirements.

Phase One consists of the following courses:

One of the following:

Phase Two - Required Courses (18)

Phase Two - Electives (12)

To be selected from the following courses or from among relevant graduate offerings elsewhere in the university with approval of the academic program coordinator.

A specialization is not required to complete the MIS program. But students may choose one or two of the following specializations in the program.

Specialization in Business Analytics (9)

The specialization in Business Analytics is for the students to solve complex decision problems in a business environment with a combination of quantitative skills, modeling techniques, and hands-on expertise using current software applications for data driven decision making. Students with these skills are in high demand in a variety of industries and sectors including accounting, management, marketing, finance, information systems, operations, health care, engineering, and energy. Equipped with a solid technical foundation in data analysis and model-driven management decision making, this specialization prepares students for successful careers in this growing field.

Specialization in Business Analytics consists of the following courses:

Specialization in SAP and Business Enterprise Computing (9)

SAP is the market leader in business enterprise computing software and Business Enterprise Computing is a broad category of technologies, applications, and practices for gathering, storing, accessing, and analyzing enterprise data to support effective business operations. The specialization in SAP and Business Enterprise Computing will allow the students to understand how to run organizations more effectively by improving various business processes and using SAP technology.

Specialization in SAP and Business Enterprise Computing consists of the following courses:

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