Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems (MIS)

Businesses need graduates who have gone into management information systems to increase the value and profits of the business. Management information systems can be dated back to when companies used ledgers to keep track of accounting. The modern era of MIS can be divided into five eras. Mainframe and minicomputers, personal computers, client/server networks, enterprise computing, and cloud computing.

According to BLS, employment in the computer and information systems manager field, similar to MIS, is expected to grow 10% from 2019-2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Online or In-person

When it comes to getting your master’s degree in management information systems, you can find an in-person program or an online program. The benefits of an online program may appeal to working professionals or those looking for a career transition. In-person programs may appeal more to those coming from undergraduate programs or those who simply want that in-person experience.

A Master’s of Management Information Systems

While going on to get your master’s in management information systems isn’t always required to get into this field, doing so can help you find a job in technical and management positions. Getting a master’s in management information systems will allow you to dive deeper into business and technology skills. Having your master’s will allow you to go further on in your career path and open up more opportunities.

Concentrations in Management Information Systems

Different concentrations will have different types of coursework. Here are some of the most common that you might find in a master’s of management information systems program:

• Business Intelligence and Data Analytics - Students will design and deploy strategies to collect, organize, and analyze large amounts of data to help improve business systems and processes.
• Data Management - Students learn how to collect, organize, and analyze data to deploy information technology solutions that can improve the business process.
• Health Information Systems - Students learn about healthcare delivery systems, medical terminology, health information access, disclosures, privacy, and security.
• Information Security - Students learn how to meet security needs and privacy concerns and other protocols used in computing and communication.
• Project Management - Students will learn how to oversee the budget, time, and resources that a company authorizes, also learning about risk management, and IT investments.

Classes in Management Information Systems

The classes you take in a master’s of management information systems program will depend on the concentration. Here are a few examples of classes you might take while getting your master’s degree.

• Information Systems Analysis and Design – where students learn about the methods used by companies to create and maintain information systems to help the business.
• Business Telecommunications  – where students learn about networking technologies, services, and management that would be needed in a business setting.
• Advanced Database Management – where students learn about topics such as quarry optimizations, data warehousing, and big data.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements differ based on the school and program, however, most will require students to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, to complete an application essay, and submit letters of recommendation.

Some schools might also require professional experience, but even if the school doesn’t, it can help to have that work experience to put on the application. Schools usually also want students to have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

How to Choose a Program

There are many different factors when choosing the right management information systems master’s program. Students should look at the length of each program, the course format, available concentrations, and final project requirements. Most programs are two years long, but students might also be able to find an accelerated program and be done in a year. It also might depend on if the student goes full or part-time. Students should also consider the curriculum and the cost.

Accreditation status for each program can also make a difference and can affect future career opportunities. Departments often receive accreditation from field-specific accrediting bodies. Accreditation will indicate that the program meets set standards of quality for the profession.

Top Master’s in Management Information Systems Programs

There are many different master’s in management information systems programs, some are in-person, and some are online.

Here are 10 of the top master’s in management information systems programs:

• The University of Texas at Austin
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• University of Arizona
• Carnegie Mellon University
• University of Maryland-College Park
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Arizona State University
• Stanford University
• The University of Texas at Dallas

Top Online Master’s in Management Information Systems Programs

Here are 10 of the top online master’s in management information systems  programs:

• Florida State University
• Webster University
• Liberty University
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
• Western Governors University
• University of Oregon
• Concordia University-Wisconsin
• Dallas Baptist University
• Minot State University
• Mississippi State University