Program: Information Systems, M.S. - San Diego State University

Apr 29, 2025

2019/2020 University Catalog

General Information

The objective of the Master of Science degree in information systems is to prepare students to take a senior position associated with the information systems field across all private industries and public sectors. With the broadening spectrum of the information systems field and subsequent rich set of career opportunities, there is an ongoing need to educate students so that they can take leadership positions in both established and emerging fields of information systems. To serve the student and industry needs effectively, the program is designed to balance management knowledge of business and technology, general technical knowledge in information systems, and domain knowledge in the special area selected by the student. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be competent in leading organizations in the evaluation and adoption of information systems and technologies for strategic advantage as well as in bridging the cultural and communication gaps that often exist between information systems and business function professionals.

Admission to the Degree Curriculum

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the general requirements for master’s degrees as described in Part Two of this bulletin, the student must have satisfactorily completed equivalents of the following courses as prerequisites:

B A 625 - Financial and Management Accounting Units: 3
B A 627 - Marketing Units: 3
B A 628 - Operations and Supply Chain Management Units: 3

Notice of Admission

Notice of admission with classified graduate standing will be sent to the student upon the recommendation of the Fowler College of Business and the approval of the dean of the Division of Graduate Affairs.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy, as described in Part Four of this bulletin.

Students concurrently enrolled in deficiency coursework may be given permission to take the comprehensive examination prior to actual completion of all coursework. However, comprehensive examinations will not be evaluated and results will not be reported to the Division of Graduate Affairs until all deficiency coursework has been successfully completed. This may delay graduation.

Specific Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing as described above and the general requirements for master’s degrees as described in Part Four of this bulletin, the student must complete a graduate program of at least 30 approved units including at least 21 units in 600- and 700-numbered courses. Up to nine units of coursework may be accepted as transfer credit. Not more than a total of three units in courses MIS 797 - Research and MIS 798 - Special Study , may be accepted for credit toward the degree. With approval of the graduate adviser, a substitute course may be allowed in place of a required course after reviewing student credentials.

Required Core Courses

IS Technology

Nine units selected from the following courses:

MIS 686 - Enterprise Data Management Units: 3
MIS 687 - Secure Enterprise Networking and Mobile Technologies Units: 3
MIS 691 - Decision Support Systems Units: 3
MIS 695 - Business Systems Analysis and Design Units: 3
MIS 697 - Project Planning and Development Units: 3
MIS 752 - Seminar in Supply Chain and Enterprise Resource Planning Units: 3

IS Management and Analytics

Nine units selected from the following courses:

MIS 688 - Information Systems and Strategies in Organizations Units: 3
MIS 748 - Seminar in Applied Multivariate Analytics Units: 3
MIS 749 - Business Analytics Units: 3
MIS 750 - Strategic Project Management Units: 3
MIS 755 - Information Systems Security Management Units: 3
B A 623 - Statistical Analysis Units: 3

Culminating Experience

Three units selected from the following courses:

MIS 790 - Directed Readings in Management Information Systems Units: 3
or
B A 799A - Thesis Units: 3 But not both.

Career Track

Students select a career track and courses with the approval of the graduate adviser. Nine units selected from the following courses:

MIS 515 - Object-Oriented Programming for Business Applications Units: 3
MIS 705 - Communication Strategies Units: 3
MIS 744 - Seminar in Lean Six Sigma and Baldrige Quality Management Units: 3
MIS 753 - Global Supply Chain Management Units: 3
MIS 754 - Seminar in Operations Strategy Units: 3

Note

Career track courses may include additional department and courses from outside the Fowler College of Business with the approval of the graduate adviser.

The Master of Science degree in information systems requires Plan A, Thesis or Plan B, directed readings in information systems or a written comprehensive examination offered by the department. The program must be approved by the college and departmental adviser.

For regulations concerning grade point averages, final approval for the granting of the degree, award of the degree, and diplomas, refer to the basic requirements for the master’s degree as described in Part Four of this bulletin.