Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MSMIS)

The Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems (MSMIS) is offered by the Department of MIS in the College of Business. This program has a balanced emphasis on theory and practice in order to provide graduates with business and computer skills that are necessary for a career in the field of information technology and be able to manage the information system function within an organization. This degree program will prepare graduates with a broad-based knowledge of information systems design, development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance. Through state-of-the-art topics such as object oriented, e-business, networks, and data modeling, this program will prepare graduates to be responsive to the growing demand of the information economy. The graduates of this program will understand the dynamic nature of information technology and will be able to evaluate the technology's application for problem solving, decision-making, competitive advantage, innovation, and so on. Several courses in this program include term projects that require students to organize team activities, analyze problems and propose solutions, rationalize and explain project-related decisions, document and communicate progress, collect and analyze data, write up results, and give professional presentations. Written and oral communication skills of the graduates are enhanced through these activities. More specifically, this degree program will prepare graduates to have:

• In-depth understanding of systems thinking and ways that information technology can be used to enhance effectiveness of the individual and organizations.

• Ability to critically analyze business problems and apply scientific methods and computer applications to obtain business solutions.

• Comprehensive understanding of the theoretical basis of management information systems and current research questions.

• Ability to learn on a continuing basis to stay current with rapidly changing technologies.

• Ability to effectively communicate the technology and its application to business executives and users of information systems.

• Knowledge and skills to function as an information technology professional in public or private organization.

• Preparedness to enter a doctoral program in MIS.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Completion of the degree requirements for the Master of Science in Management Information Systems include:

• Completion of a minimum of 36 credit hours of MS in MIS courses.

• Completion and defense of Master's thesis.

• A grade point average of at least 3.0 for course work required for the degree.

• No grade lower than C is acceptable.

Each student's program of course work must be selected in consultation with and approved by the student's advisor and the Department chair, and may include up to two courses (a total of 6 units) from selected disciplines other than MIS such as cognitive psychology, computer science, accounting, or economics. Students are expected to select a research advisor by the end of their first year, to attend all departmental seminars, and to present a research seminar prior to graduation. Students are also expected to publish at least one research-based paper in a peer-reviewed journal.

Students with unsatisfactory progress toward the degree requirements are subject to dismissal. A student with a grade of C or lower in any of the required courses for the degree will be put on probation for one semester. A student with two grades of C or lower will be dropped from the program. Students are required to register for six hours of thesis. They are advised to split these six hours of thesis and register for three hours each during the last two semesters.

UNLV College of Business In the 20th century great economies have evolved mostly due to visionary leaders who understood the productivity-enhancing power of investment and capital accumulation, including investment in human capital. In the 21st century business leaders must deal with challenges that are quite different from those of a generation ago. Faced with a globally competitive business environment and supported by new information and communication technologies, organizational strucutures are changing. Businesses are constantly in search of creative, innovative, and inspiring teams of executive leaders. To succeed, individuals and organizations rely on human-capital investment more than ever before.

At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, we offer five MBA programs: an MBA, a dual MBA/Master of Science in Hotel Administration, a dual MBA/JD in the William S. Boyd School of Law, a dual MBA/DDM in the School of Dental Medicine, and an Executive MBA (EMBA). All five programs stress excellent academic rigor and provide breadth and depth that are demanded from visionary business leaders.

We follow a philosophy of continuous improvement and innovation. Our programs are dynamic and as relevant as possible to current and future business practices. The College of Business is accredited by AACSB International.