The Management Information Systems Program is designed to prepare students for careers in the analysis, design, implementation, and management of information systems and information technology. The approach used in the program will combine the most relevant theoretical and practical concepts to enable students to understand the complex and dynamic environments in which information systems and information technology are used. The emphasis of the curriculum is on the use of information systems and information technology to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The MIS curriculum is based on the recommendations of professional societies in the information systems field.

LEARNING GOALS

Students will be able to:

1.     Prepare high quality requirement specifications using state-of-the-art modeling techniques to a business problem.

2.     Develop data models using state-of-the-art modeling techniques to a requirement specification of a business problem.

3.     Critically analyze and question knowledge clams in IS.

4.     Students shall be able to write effectively.

Be able to prepare and present expected outputs from the analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance phases of information system development.

Be able to write formal, clear, and accurate documentation of information systems.

5.     Students shall be able to communicate verbally effectively.

Be able to orally present comments, suggestions and arguments associate with information systems.

Admission Requirements

An applicant must meet the admission requirements established by the graduate school. The prerequisite for the program is a GPA of 2.5 or better and a bachelor's degree in business, management, computer information systems, computer science, engineering, or a related field that includes the following courses:

• College Algebra
• Business Statistics
• Programming Languages
• Economics
• Quantitative Methods
• Management
• Computer Applications

Students who do not meet all of the prerequisite conditions may be granted conditional admission and may be required to complete some or all of the following prerequisite foundation courses before attempting any of the core courses in the curriculum. Students who have some work experience in the information systems field, but do not have the required academic background, may qualify for admission to the MIS Program. Students are encouraged to contact the MIS Department to discuss qualifications for admission into the Program.

Degree Completion Requirements

The Master of Science in management information systems requires 36 semester hours consisting of seven core courses and five electives chosen from one of the three concentration tracks: information systems management, digital business and knowledge management, or information security management. The common core courses provide an understanding of the technical and managerial challenges associated with managing information technology in the business enterprise. The concentration-specific courses address both the theoretical and practical aspects of each area of concentration as an integral part of an effective information management system. Students are required to complete an information systems project in the practicum course and an analytical or scientific research paper in the Professional Seminar course. Students are also required to pass a written comprehensive examination, which can be attempted after the completion of at least 15 semester hours.

Core Courses

*Courses recommended to be completed before attempting the comprehensive examination.

Information Security Management Track

Digital Business and Knowledge Management Track

Information Systems Management Track

Curriculum Sequence

The following sequence represents a typical selection of courses. The recommended course sequence is as follows:

First and Second Semesters

Third and Fourth Semesters

Program of Study

Students are required to complete a Program of Study form in consultation with their advisor, during the first semester of enrollment. The program of study designates each student's track selection and is required for advancement to candidacy. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an MIS faculty member for advisement concerning a program of study.

Advancement to Candidacy

Upon completion of 15 hours of core coursework, the student should apply for advancement to candidacy. The minimum GPA for Advancement to Candidacy is 3.25. Students who fail to meet the minimum GPA will be denied Advancement to Candidacy.

Comprehensive Examination

To qualify to take the Comprehensive Examination, a student must have completed at least 24 hours of coursework taken at Bowie State University and must have been advanced to candidacy. Students enrolled in coursework that would result in the completion of the minimum 24 credit hour requirement may, with the permission of the program coordinator, be allowed to take the comprehensive examination during the same semester. Students are strongly encouraged to take the comprehensive examination after the completion of all the five core courses covered by the examination and at least one semester prior to the date they expect to graduate. The MIS faculty offers comprehensive examination orientation and review sessions prior to the examination.

Thesis Option

Students may elect to undertake directed research leading to a master's thesis in lieu of taking the comprehensive examination. Students who choose this option will be required to enroll in INSS 898 and undertake a semester-long research project. The project will involve original or advanced research effort evaluated by a committee of three faculty members. Prior approval by a faculty sponsor who supervises the student's work is required. The course should be taken as the last course in the program.

For more information please contact:

Bin Mai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Coordinator of MIS department graduate programs
Management Information Systems Department
Center for Business and Graduate Studies Room 3328
14000 Jericho Park Road,
Bowie, MD 20715
Tel: 301-860-xxxx
Fax: 301-860-3593
Email: bmai@bowiestate.edu

Or

David Anyiwo, PhD, Chair
14000 Jericho Park Road, CBGS 3319
Bowie, MD 20715
Phone: 301-860-3626
Fax: 301-860-3593
Email: danyiwo@bowiestate.edu