Department of Operations Management and Information Systems
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
The M.S. program in Management Information Systems (MIS) 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 MIS 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, six of which are required of all majors and four 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 on a particular area of their choice.
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.
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.
Requirements for Admission
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School at NIU, the M.S. program in Management Information Systems also requires that applicants must have a minimum 3.00 overall grade point average (GPA), based on a 4.00 system, in their undergraduate program. Applicants whose GPA is below the required level may be recommended for admission if they satisfy one of the following criteria:
- Applicant earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from NIU College of Business or a closely related NIU program
- Exceptional performance on a required graduate-level admission test (GRE or GMAT)
Application for Admission
Admission to the Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS) program is competitive and limited to candidates who demonstrate high promise of success in this graduate program. Applicants must submit the following materials:
- A resume
- A statement of purpose (500-words outline of your goals for the MIS program and beyond)
- One of the following official test scores: GRE or GMAT. The testing requirement is waived if the applicant meets one of the following criteria:
- Applicant earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a NIU College of Business program
- Applicant earned an undergraduate degree from an AACSB-accredited business school with a GPA of 3.00 or higher
- Applicant earned a graduate degree from an AACSB-accredited business school
