Information Systems
Overview
Today's information systems manager needs to have a thorough command not only of technology — security, compliance, analytics, mobile networks and cloud-based systems — but of business, and the way employees use technology to get the job done. The Information Systems master's program brings an analytics-intensive approach to topics like digital innovation and cybersecurity, empowering you as a decision-maker whose insights guide technology strategy across the enterprise.
Courses in the Information Systems master's program encourage information systems consultants, IT auditors, and project managers to frame problems from the perspective of a CIO who drives organizational change through technology. A curricular balance of new coding skills and leadership perspectives will turn you into a creative problem-solver able to stay ahead of the rapid pace of technology.
MEET SHERYL
Even online, Sheryl Duffus says engagement with her professors was a differentiator for Stevens. 'Some people who I've talked to complain about the lack of interaction in their online programs, but I never got that at Stevens,' she says.
MEET SEDDIQA
From her humanitarian work in Afghanistan to earning a Fulbright scholarship, Seddiqa Mohammad Hussein '23 knows how to make an impact. “The curriculum and the courses in this degree will address the necessary skills and expertise that I need for my career upon my return to Afghanistan,” she says.
Curriculum Overview
Business core
This course deals with the basic problems of managing a project, defined as a temporary organization built for the purpose of achieving a specific objective. Both operational and conceptual issues will be considered. Operational issues include definition, planning, implementation, control, and evaluation of the project. Conceptual issues include project management vs. hierarchical management, matrix organization, project authority, motivation, and morale. Cases will be used to illustrate problems in project management and how to resolve them.
Corporate financial management requires the ability to understand the past performance of the firm in accounting terms; while also being able to project the future economic consequences of the firm in financial terms. This course provides the requisite survey of accounting and finance methods and principles to allow technical executives to make effective decisions that maximize shareholder value.
Information Systems core
This course focuses on data and database management, with an emphasis on modeling and design, and their application to decision support. The course is organized around the following general themes: Strategic Data Planning, Data Governance, Enterprise Data Integration, Data Management Approaches, Data Design for Transaction Processing vs. Decision Support, Data Management Functions, Abstraction and Modeling, Data- and Information Modeling (ER, Object-oriented), Database Schemas (Conceptual Schema), Database Design (Functional Dependencies and Normalization), Query languages (SQL, DDL, QBE), Metadata Development and Application, Data Quality Approaches, Master and Reference Data Management (e.g., Customer and Product Data), Temporal Data, Data, Analytics, and Business Performance, Introduction to Data Warehousing, OLAP, OLTP, and Data Mining, Strategic Data Policies and Guidelines (e.g. Enterprise Data and Integration, Governance, Markets, Customers, and Competitors, Leadership, Analysts and Knowledge Worker Skills and Training, Communities of Analysts). There are numerous case studies and modeling projects throughout the course.
IT organizations must be able to leverage new technologies. This course focuses on how organizations can effectively and efficiently assess trends and emerging technologies in data and knowledge management, information networks, and analyzing and developing application systems. Students will learn how to help their organizations define, select, and adopt new information technologies.
This course focuses on the role of Information Technology (IT) in reengineering and enhancing key business processes. The implications for organizational structures and processes, as the result of increased opportunities to deploy information and streamline business systems, are covered.
This course focuses on the issues surrounding the design of an overall Information Technology architecture. The traditional approach in organizations is to segment the problem into four areas network, hardware, data, and applications. Instead, this course concentrates on the interdependencies among these architectures. In addition, this course will utilize management research on organizational integration and coordination. The student will learn how to design in the large, make appropriate choices about architecture in relationship to overall organization goals, understand the different mechanisms for coordination available, and create a process for establishing and maintaining an ongoing enterprise architecture.
The objective of this course is to address the important question, "How does one improve the alignment of business and Information Technology strategies?" The course is designed for advanced graduate students. It provides the student with the most current approaches to deriving business and Information Technology strategies, while ensuring harmony among the organizations. Topics include business strategy, business infrastructure, IT strategy, strategic alignment, methods/metrics for building strategies, and achieving alignment.
You will also choose one of the following to complete the Information Systems core.
This course will focus on Data Mining & Knowledge Discovery Algorithms and their applications in solving real world business and operation problems. We concentrate on demonstrating how discovering the hidden knowledge in corporate databases will help managers to make near-real time intelligent business and operation decisions. The course will begin with an introduction to Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery in Databases. Methodological and practical aspects of knowledge discovery algorithms including: Data Preprocessing, k-Nearest Neighborhood algorithm, Machine Learning and Decision Trees, Artificial Neural Networks, Clustering, and Algorithm Evaluation Techniques will be covered. Practical examples and case studies will be present throughout the course.
This course explores data-driven methods that are used to analyze and solve complex business problems. Students will acquire analytical skills in building, applying and evaluating various models with hands-on computer applications. Topics include descriptive statistics, time-series analysis, regression models, decision analysis, Monte Carlo simulation and optimization models.
Information Systems Specialization
The master's program includes four electives that allow you to explore an area of interest in greater depth. Students seeking a more structured approach can use some of those elective courses to pursue one of the concentrations listed below.
This concentration offers a deeper dive into big data and its applications in business, as well as specific analytic tools.
MIS 635 Designing the Knowledge Organization
MIS 636 Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence
MIS 637 Data Analytics and Machine Learning
BIA 672 Marketing Analytics
Students in this concentration will specialize in understanding effective business processes and supply-chain management. Students in this concentration can choose any four of the following:
MIS 690 Supply Chain Management and Strategy
BIA 674 Supply Chain Analytics
MIS 712 Advanced Business Process Management
BIA 650 Process Optimization and Analytics
MIS 714 Service Innovation
This concentration gives students the perspective and technical skill required to work in the highly fluid area of cybersecurity. Courses taken as part of this concentration will support your preparation for important industry certification exams.
FIN 545 Financial Cybersecurity
MIS 645 Cybersecurity Principles for Managers
BIA 670 Risk Management
With advisor permission, you may substitute one of the above courses with a different cybersecurity elective.
Students particularly interested in effectively guiding projects from conception to completion will be best suited for this concentration.
MGT 610 Strategic Perspectives of Project Management
MGT 611 Project Analytics
MGT 612 Leader Development
MGT 614 Advanced Project Management
Admission requirements
The master's in Information Systems teaches professionals to be more innovative about developing and deploying technologies that help the business accomplish strategic priorities while empowering employees to get the job done more efficiently. This 36-credit program is ideally suited to students who are interested in consulting and IT management roles; alumni also use the skills cultivated at Stevens to move into the C-suite.
Information Systems Application deadlines
Full-time applications to the Information Systems program are accepted in three distinct cycles. To be considered for admission, all materials must be submitted by the appropriate deadline.
Application cycle | Application deadline | Application decision | Acceptance deadline |
Priority | Oct. 15 | Dec. 1 | Jan. 15 |
Standard | Jan. 15 | March 1 | Included in admission offer |
Final | April 15 | May 1 | June 1 |
This program can also be completed on a part-time basis. These applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Information Systems Admission criteria
Admission to the Information Systems program is competitive. Qualified applicants will include the following with their admissions materials.
Your application must include two letters of recommendation. The strongest applications will include one letter from a current supervisor, and one from a former supervisor or previous employer who can speak to your leadership potential and discuss your professional performance.
All candidates to this program are required to submit GMAT or GRE scores with their application; part-time applicants with work experience may be eligible to waive this requirement. Only students with excellent test scores will be deemed a fit for the coursework. However, it's important to keep in mind that your test scores are only one feature of your application, and will be considered along with your other credentials. Please use the following reporting codes to submit test scores to Stevens:
GRE: 2819
GMAT: 638LX12
International students also must include TOEFL or IELTS scores along with their applications.
Stevens often invites master's candidates to interview prior to making an admissions decision. If you are selected for an interview after submitting your application, you will receive instructions via email.
Work experience is not a requirement for this master's program. However, the admissions committee values applicants with at least one year of professional experience. You must include a résumé with your application that highlights:
Academic record.
Work and internship experience.
Leadership abilities.
Professional aspirations.
Your application must include official transcripts from all universities you have attended, or in which you are currently enrolled. These records must show your name, the name of the university attended, enrollment dates, coursework completed and grades assigned. Your bachelor's degree must be in science, mathematics, computer science, engineering or a related discipline. Your degree also must come from an accredited institution, and you must have attained a B average, to be considered.