Master of Science in Information Systems

Concentrations in Business Intelligence/Data Analytics, Information Assurance, and Cybersecurity Management, and User Experience (UX)/Human-Computer Interaction.

The Master of Science in Information Systems is a 30 credit-hour degree program at Nova Southeastern University's College of Computing and Engineering. Offered online and on-campus in South Florida, the Master of Science in Information Systems degree program focuses on the application of information technology to the design, collection, retention, and dissemination of information for management planning and decision making. This program blends theory and practice into a learning experience that develops skills applicable to complex, real-world problems.

Program Format

Students can select to take online or on-campus classes. Online classes can be taken from anywhere in the world where Internet access is available. NSU utilizes Blackboard as the learning management system to deliver online course content. On-campus classes are held on the main campus in Fort Lauderdale. Each on-campus class meets once a week from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All M.S. programs employ a three-term format: Fall (16-week term starting in August), Winter (17-week term starting in January) and Summer (12-week term starting in May).

Learning Outcomes

A graduate with an M.S. in Management Information Systems will have the ability to (1) communicate management information systems concepts, designs, and solutions effectively and professionally; (2) apply knowledge of management information systems to produce effective designs and solutions for specific problems; (3) identify, analyze, and synthesize scholarly literature relating to the field of management information systems; (4) evaluate software development tools, software systems, and modern computing platforms.

Admissions

This program is designed for students with undergraduate majors in (management) information systems, information technology, business administration, or a related field, having the knowledge and significant experience in computer applications.

Applicants who do not have adequate backgrounds may be required to take the following 500-level graduate course during the first term of the program:

• MSIT 501 Foundations of Programming, Data Structures, and Algorithms

This course is in addition to the required 30 credit hours at the 600 level. Courses at the 500 level, when required, must be completed prior to taking courses at the 600 level. All 500-level courses must be completed with a grade of 'B' or higher to continue in the program.

Curriculum

The degree program consists of 30 credits (a total of 10 courses). Core courses, concentrations, and electives are in the following lists. In order to earn the Master of Science in Management Information Systems degree, students must complete 7 required core courses and 3 additional courses. For the 3 additional courses, students will complete one entire concentration OR the no concentration option as specified below.

Core Courses (required)

• ISEC 615 Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
• MMIS 621 Information Systems Project Management
• MMIS 623 Information Privacy and Ethics
• MMIS 630 Database Management and Applications
• MMIS 653 Telecommunications and Computer Networking
• MMIS 671 Fundamentals of Analytics and Business Intelligence
• MMIS 680 Human-Computer Interaction

Concentration Options

Business Intelligence/Data Analytics

• MMIS 642 Data Warehousing
• MMIS 643 Data Mining
• MMIS 692 Capstone Project in Business Intelligence

Information Assurance & Cybersecurity Management

• ISEC 675 Information System Auditing
• ISEC 695 Information Security Management Project

Choose one:

• ISEC 635 Information Security Operations Management
• ISEC 655 Information Security Governance

User Experience (UX)/Human-Computer Interaction

• CISC 685 Interaction Design
• MMIS 636 Computer-Supported Cooperative Work
• MMIS 644 UX Strategy for Social Media

No Concentration Option

Select a mix of courses from Concentrations aforementioned and/or any offerings of 600-level courses prefixed MMIS, RESD, or ISEC as electives.

Admissions Requirements

• Online application.
• $50 application fee (nonrefundable).
• An earned bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 2.5 from a regionally accredited institution and with an appropriate major.
• Sealed official transcripts from all institutions attended.
• A résumé.

Career Opportunities

• Chief information officer.
• Cybersecurity analyst/director of IT security/chief information security officer.
• Data scientist/business intelligence analyst.
• Information systems manager.
• Project manager.
• Systems analyst.
• User experience designer/researcher.