What is a Master of Information Systems Management?

You're an experienced information technology professional, and you're ready to move to the next level of IT leadership. The IACBE-accredited Master of Information Systems Management (MISM) from the Forbes School of Business and Technology® at the University of Arizona Global Campus can help you get there. Also known as a Management Information Systems degree (MIS degree), this online information systems management program will prepare you for roles that require critical thinking and a holistic understanding of how technology impacts organizations and individuals, while developing the management skills necessary for you to affect change and lead your IT team.

Accelerated 6-week courses
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Degree Completion Journey

Students pursuing an information systems management degree will study substantive groundwork such as technology operations and strategic technology planning while developing fundamental understanding for more big-picture aspects within organizational operations. You will learn business ethics and data ethics, as well as different organizational management skills and change management.

1

Year 1

  • This course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer systems and the role of information processing in the business environment. Students are provided with a basic overview of essential business software as well as insight into systems development, operating systems and programming, database management, networking, and telecommunications from a management perspective.

  • This course introduces students to computer programming concepts that include client/server applications, dashboard technologies, and responsive Web design for current platforms. Students explore basic programming tenets such as user-centered interface design, object-oriented programming, mobile app development, and other topics related to current practices. Using a virtual lab, students apply course concepts to an iterative project that is developed during the six-week course.

  • This course is designed to introduce the student to Graduate Business programs, with emphases upon conceptualizing communication and communication processes in the context of organizations, management and career. Emphasis will be on technology, theories and models, qualitative communication research and presentations.

  • The course is designed to allow non-financial managers and staff to better understand financial decision-making, budgeting, project/capital spending approval, and the importance of financial planning and control. Topics include how financial decisions are made and the roles and responsibilities of finance and non-finance managers, financial tools and metrics, and basic financial statements.

  • This course addresses the business systems analysis function and purpose within organizations. Students will learn to elicit, analyze and validate business and user requirements. Topics include information systems solutions planning, requirements gathering, logical system diagrams, developing information systems solutions to address business problems, and business information systems analysis methods.

  • This course covers methods and techniques for the design of computer and telecommunication networks as well as management and business perspectives on network design, traffic and application requirements, network cost analysis, topological design, capacity assignment, virtual network design, network design tools, wireless network design issues, availability analysis, and survivable network design. Students participate in a group project, through which they develop a networking solution for a business problem. Prerequisites: BUS 600 and INF 630.

  • This hands-on, virtual lab-based course introduces students to data modeling and relational databases. Students design and implement normalized databases and manipulate them through online interfaces. The course provides opportunities and includes assignments that allow students to develop the skills needed for translating users’ data needs into functional business applications. Prerequisites: BUS 600 and INF 630.

  • This course provides students with a review of networking concepts and technologies that are critical to IT security operations. It offers guidance on usage and includes a comparison of the available methodologies and their content. Students examine the importance and benefits of sound IT governance to any IT organization. They investigate computer security principles, mechanisms, and implementations to ensure data protection and security of computers systems and examine key network perimeter security tools, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS). Prerequisites: BUS 600 and INF 630.

2

Year 2

  • This course provides students with a foundation for applying appropriate techniques when managing software development projects. Focus is placed on managing Agile development projects and using Agile development methodologies. The importance of team management, changing goals and priorities, knowledge management ideals, and alignment with organizational goals is presented. Students complete a group project, through which they apply leadership principles to a mock software development project. Prerequisites: OMM 622 and ISM 641

  • This course examines legal and ethical issues in today’s technology and data-driven organizational environments. Students analyze issues from an organizational perspective on topics that include information ownership, privacy, and the concept of due care and responsibility for data collected by organizations. Compliance requirements, regulations, and laws governing data and information, protection, collection, usage, and storage are discussed. Prerequisites: OMM 622 and ISM 642.

  • This course examines the means for effectively developing short-, medium-, and long-term technology plans. Students focus on topics such as assessment of a firm’s current state and future goals, the process of information technology enterprise planning for meeting the goals of the organization, the need for and the responsibilities of an information systems steering committee, and the methods of identifying and prioritizing information technology projects for the organization. A group project that applies the elements of strategic planning is a key component of this course. Prerequisites: OMM 622, ISM 642 and ISM 643.

3

Specializations

Program Requirements

To be awarded the Master of Information Systems Management degree, all students must complete 42 credits with a 3.0 minimum grade point average.

Students who have successfully completed undergraduate or graduate-level coursework in management information systems, information systems, or computer science with a grade of “B-” or higher within the past five (5) years will be exempt from ISM 500 Introduction to Management Information Systems.

Students who have successfully completed undergraduate or graduate-level coursework in computer programming with a grade of “B-” or higher within the past five (5) years or who have earned a certificate in computer programming/coding from a recognized non-traditional training provider (e.g. coding bootcamp, etc.) will be exempt from ISM 510 Introduction to Computer Programming for Business Applications.

Students who waive ISM 500 or ISM 510 are required to take 39 total program credits in order to meet graduation requirements. Students who waive ISM 500 and ISM 510 are required to take 36 total program credits in order to meet graduation requirements. If students are not eligible to waive ISM 500 and ISM 510, these courses must be taken as the first courses in the program.

Special Terms and Conditions

Successful completion of the Master of Information Systems Management degree by itself does not provide licensure or certification in any state, regardless of concentration or specialization. Students seeking licensure or certification shall carefully research the licensure and certification requirements in a student’s home state prior to enrollment in this degree program, as often such requirements vary state by state. While the University of Arizona Global Campus does not guarantee that any state or professional organization will accept a graduate's application to sit for any exam for the purpose of professional certification, UAGC continues to make every effort to ensure our Technology programs align to include knowledge needed in preparation to complete specific industry certifications.

While Global Campus does not collect applicant criminal background, certain criminal histories may prevent students from obtaining licensure, certification, or employment in their chosen field of study.

Quality Matters Certification

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The Online Learner Support Certification recognizes programs that provide all the critical student and academic services needed for learner success and use learner feedback to continuously improve those services.

Customize Your Information Systems Management Degree with UAGC Specializations

Delve into other areas of information systems management with a specialization added to your master’s degree program. A specialization consists of three, three-credit courses. Choose from the following specializations:
  • Embrace your analytical side and enhance your degree with a specialization in Business Intelligence. You will learn to collaborate within the local environment to determine and implement the best business intelligence approaches, solutions, and measurements. These courses will teach you to appraise the current landscape of data applications and forecast their evolution, while communicating big data as a concept and its place in today’s business environment. Your specialization may require prerequisite course work. Please talk to your advisor for more information.

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  • Become the go-to person on your team. With a specialization in IT Organizational Management and Leadership, you will be able to demonstrate how the theories, principles, and skills in information systems are integrated with business demands. Integrate knowledge, skills, and principles derived from the core course elements into the enterprise management of IT. Apply ethical and organizational leadership concepts to the management of enterprise IT. Your specialization may require prerequisite course work. Please talk to your advisor for more information.

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  • Take the lead. Boost your confidence and career options with a Project Management specialization. You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of project management concepts and the ability to align information technology projects following organizational strategy. You will also learn to evaluate the impact of organizational strategy on information technology projects. Your specialization may require prerequisite course work. Please talk to your advisor for more information.

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Careers in Information Systems Management

When you complete your Master of Information Systems Management degree program, you’ll be prepared for larger opportunities in several technology-related fields. Some of the careers you may choose to pursue include:

 

  • Computing Services Director
  • Data Processing Manager
  • Director of Application Development
  • Director of Business Intelligence
  • Information Systems Director
  • IT Manager
  • IT Project Manager
  • Technical Services Manager
IT person IT person

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Check out other degree programs that suit a variety of interests and may enhance a wide scope of career opportunities at UAGC. Discover similar programs to find the right path for you.

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