Master of Science in Information Systems
The Master of Science program in Information Systems is designed to prepare students for specialized roles in information systems. The MS program is offered in both the traditional semester format, and in an executive (alternate weekend) format. The executive program (Fast Track Executive MS in IS) focuses on Information Technology Management and is designed for students with six or more years professional experience.
The traditional semester format program is intended to prepare students for senior level positions, planning, organizing, managing, designing, configuring and implementing information systems, using state-of-the-art technologies, methods, techniques, and tools. The program provides a graduate level, technically-oriented curriculum that focuses on the design and development of information systems to solve real-world problems.
Students must apply and be admitted to graduate study in the School of Business. Additional requirements, including application deadlines, tuition, and other fees can be found at the Graduate Studies in Business site, www.gsib.vcu.edu. Here students can also find and download an Application to Graduate Study or apply on-line.
As indicated on the Graduate Studies in Business site, the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is required of all students wishing to pursue graduate education in any of the VCU School of Business programs. Information on the GMAT, including fees, schedules, and test locations can be found at www.mba.com
Students applying to the Master's program must show evidence of competence in selected prerequisite areas of information systems including: application programming, systems analysis and design, database, telecommunications and hardware/software. Evidence of this may include formal coursework, comparable training within a work environment, or significant, relevant and recent work experience in the field.
Curriculum
Prerequisite Courses
Students enrolled as majors in the program who do not have formal background or equivalent training must take the appropriate undergraduate courses to satisfy the prerequisite prior to taking Master's program courses.
- INFO 300 - Computer Hardware and Software
- INFO 350 - Intermediate Programming
- INFO 360 - Management Information Systems
- INFO 361 - Systems Analysis and Design
- INFO 364 - Database
- INFO 370 - Data Communications
- MGMT 212 - Calculus
Students who do not have a business degree must complete a minimum of four 500-level business foundation courses (12 credit hours). Foundation courses may be waived for students who present satisfactory, equivalent preparation at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Students who are required to take foundation courses may do so after admission. The foundation courses required will vary depending upon the student's background, career interests, and the chosen area of specialization. Students applying to the MS in Information Systems should consult with the advisor for the MS program to determine the foundation courses required for a particular area.
Advisor:
Dr. Jim Wynne
ajwynne@vcu.edu
804-828-3182
The program consists of 30 graduate credit hours including: four core courses (12 credit hours), two courses in each of two concentration areas (12 credit hours), and two elective courses (6 credit hours).
Required Core Courses |
Credits |
||
INFO 610 |
Database Systems | 3 hours | |
INFO 620 |
Data Communications | 3 hours | |
INFO 630 |
Information Engineering | 3 hours | |
INFO 640 |
Information Systems and Knowledge Management | 3 hours | |
| Total Core Credits: | 12 hours | ||
In addition to the core courses, students must select two concentration areas from those listed below, plus two elective courses. The two elective courses may be taken from one or more of the other concentration areas or from other approved courses in information systems, in consultation with the student's advisor and based upon the student's area of interest, career goals, and existing departmental and university areas of expertise.
Business Engineering Concentration |
Credits |
||
INFO 611 |
Data Re-engineering | 3 hours | |
INFO 632 |
Business Process Engineering | 3 hours | |
Knowledge Engineering Concentration |
Credits |
||
INFO 614 |
Data Mining | 3 hours | |
INFO 616 |
Data Warehousing | 3 hours | |
Information Assurance Concentration |
Credits |
||
INFO 644 |
Information Systems Security | 3 hours | |
INFO 622 |
Network Security | 3 hours | |
Information Technology Management Concentration |
Credits |
||
INFO 643 |
IT Project Management | 3 hours | |
INFO 641 |
Strategic IS Planning | 3 hours | |
| Total Concentration Credits: | 12 hours | ||
Elective Courses |
Credits |
||
INFO 619 |
Computer Assisted Simulation | 3 hours | |
INFO 642 |
E-Business Intelligence | 3 hours | |
INFO 654 |
Systems Interface Design | 3 hours | |
INFO 658 |
Electronic Commerce | 3 hours | |
INFO 691 |
Topics in Information Systems | 3 hours | |
INFO 693 |
Field Project in Information Systems | 3 hours | |
INFO 697 |
Guided Study in Information Systems | 3 hours | |
INFO 798-799 |
Thesis in Information Systems | 3 hours | |
|
Total Core Credits: | 12 hours | |
*NOTE: Students interested in the IT Management program with 6 or more years professional experience may be interested in the Fast Track Executive MS in IS with a concentration in IT Management. For additional information, call Maureen Carley, Program Director, at (804)828-7074 or send an e-mail to mecarley@vcu.edu or info@ftems.vcu.edu