Stevens Online Master’s in Information Systems Ranked No. 1 in U.S.
College Values Cites Return on Investment, Variety of Concentrations Available in School of Business Program
A new ranking of online Information Systems master’s degrees has rated the Stevens Institute of Technology program the top value in the United States for 2017.
College Values Online, which ranks graduate programs in business, as well as the arts, math, science and others, cited the unique concentrations available through the School of Business program as well as the strong return on investment enjoyed by alumni.
The Information Systems program at Stevens has a strong reputation for preparing managers to think differently about ways technology can improve the way a business functions. As new technologies come online at an increasingly rapid pace, IT managers and chief information officers must be change agents, able to creatively introduce new tools into established processes in order to create value for the enterprise.
College Values, in fact, noted the Stevens program’s concentration in Business Process Management and Service Innovation. Courses in this concentration emphasize process optimization, analytics and advanced business process management tools in managing supply chains and other business functions; a four-course graduate certificate in this area is offered, also.
Dr. Michael zur Muehlen, associate dean of the graduate enterprise and director of the Information Systems program, said the program is designed for capable technologists interested in understanding how information systems support corporate functions.
Technology's role in the business
“The cross-disciplinary Information Systems degree will help you become a leader through a better understanding of how technology — from mobile networks and cloud-based systems, to bring your own device and compliance and security concerns — directly impacts how your company does business,” Dr. zur Muehlen said.
It’s a sentiment shared by alumni of the program, including Chris Colla M.S. ’07, chief information officer at B&G Foods.
“One of the things I’ve learned from Stevens is the CIOs of today are not just technology people,” Colla said. “They’re also business partners, and one of the things that I try to do every day is be a change agent.”
The changing landscape of IT is something Colla, who took online courses in pursuing his certificate in Business Process Management and Supply Chain Electives from Stevens, has seen firsthand in leadership roles at Haier America, Sharp, Sirius and elsewhere.
“Information technology is not just technical anymore,” he said. “It’s a combination of people, processes and technology that has evolved to become a business driver and a source for competitive advantage. You used to just program; now, you have to be able to talk business and negotiation, and make systems and software work to meet those goals.”
