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Management Information Systems Degrees for Military and Veterans

Management Information Systems Degrees for Military and Veterans

According to Florida State University, a Management Information Systems (MIS) Degree gives students an education in business and technology, allowing them to find jobs where they manage the design and development of systems for various organizations. 

While Information Science Degrees also blend business and technology, they place emphasis on technology. MIS coursework is also a mix of these topics but with more of a business focus. Students learn business processes and functions relating to information systems and how to use technology to create solutions and growth for organizations. 

Using the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance for a Management Information Systems Degree 

If you’re interested in pursuing a Management Information Systems Degree and need financial help, the GI Bill, a military education benefit for service members in the Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard and their eligible dependents, covers tuition and fees, provides a monthly housing allowance, and offers additional money for books and supplies. 

The GI Bill assists veterans’ transition into civilian life by offering them opportunities to further their education, acquire new skills, and find better jobs.

Using Spouse Tuition Assistance (STAP) and MyCAA for a Management Information Systems Degree

Spouse Tuition Assistance

When seeking a Management  Information Systems Degree, military spouse tuition assistance programs help military spouses (and sometimes dependent children) pay for their education, whether they are in the U.S. or stationed elsewhere in the world.  

At one time, all military branches offered programs following Spouse Tuition Assistance (STAP) guidelines or created something similar. Today, individuals and organizations use the term STAP interchangeably to describe various offerings by military relief organizations, but the programs can differ. 

STAP now refers to the education benefits offered by military aid societies, many of which the U.S. military branches and the federal government do not run.  Instead, they are private, nonprofit organizations, and what they provide varies. 

These organizations include: 
  • Army Emergency Relief
  • Air Force Aid Society
  • Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society
  • Coast Guard Foundation

MyCAA

The workforce development program MyCAA, formally known as the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, provides financial assistance of up to $4,000 ($2,000 over two years) to eligible military spouses pursuing or maintaining a Management Information Systems Degree, certification or license. As long as an individual meets the necessary requirements, MyCAA will pay for spouses pursuing any occupation or career.

Careers With a Management Information Systems Degree

Management  information systems support a company’s day-to-day operations—they are the core of any organization. MIS Degree holders can find jobs in many industries and develop lucrative careers from entry-level jobs into leadership positions.

While you can attain an MIS Associate’s Degree, most managerial positions in IT require at least a Bachelor's Degree, and some require a Master’s. According to Colorado State University Global, demand for MIS Degree holders has risen sharply over the past decade. The BLS expects employment to grow 16 percent by 2031.  

What To Expect From a Military-Friendly Management Information Systems Degree Program

Programs for MIS students vary at the institution and degree level. Barry Douglass, Program Director of Information Technology Management at the University of Maryland’s Global campus, gives students a basic idea of what to expect. 

Douglass says, “Students learn about computer technology from a broad perspective and to understand the technology without having to learn deeply technical skills. They learn cybersecurity, business data, systems analysis and design, data analytics, as well as finance for nonfinancial managers, and ethics in IT.”

Select Yellow Ribbon Colleges with Management Information Systems Degree Programs

Select Military-Friendly Colleges with Management Information Systems Degree Programs

Online Programs

Some larger schools, like Southern New Hampshire University and Oklahoma State University, allow students to earn a Management Information Systems Degree online. Online degrees in MIS exist for undergraduate study and graduate studies.

Management Information Systems Degree Paths Using the GI Bill

Certificate in Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems certificates are credentials that validate a student’s knowledge in specific areas. Certificate courses are shorter and more focused than degrees and may be attained independently or in addition to a degree. 

For example, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has certificate programs designed for students with no prior MIS course experience and those with MIS majors. UNLV certificate programs are in Business Analysis and Development for Systems, Business Analytics, System Development Technologies, and Business Intelligence. 

Associate’s Degree in Management Information Systems

An MIS Associate Degree is a broad, introductory education that teaches students the basics of computer systems, software applications, and computer programming to benefit a business or other organization. 

Students spend about two years earning this degree and can find entry-level jobs in information systems management or transfer these credits to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. 

Your Future with an Associate’s Degree in Management Information Systems

Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems

According to the University of Nebraska, a Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems is a four-year degree that allows students to learn how to use computer systems to produce information for daily and future business operations.  

Your Future with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems

Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems

MIS students seeking a Master’s Degree learn about the strategic management of information systems, data analytics, cybersecurity, business intelligence, and IT project management at a more focused level. A Master’s allows students to pursue a doctorate or work in higher-profile jobs.

Your Future with a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems

Doctoral Degrees in Management Information Systems

MIS Doctoral programs are designed for students with an eye on teaching or research. Students  should expect a considerable amount of original research culminating in a dissertation at this level.

Your Future with a PhD in Management Information Systems