The M.S. in Information Systems program features a set of core courses and four sequence choices: Information Assurance and Security, Internet Application Development, Systems Development, and Telecommunications Management. The M. S. in Information Systems program allows students to choose from three degree options and four sequences.
The Thesis Option of the IS program is designed specifically for students who either ultimately plan to continue their studies after completion of the M. S. program or are simply interested in performing research in Information Systems or Telecommunications. Students complete independent research resulting in a masters thesis under the direction of two School of Information Technology faculty members as a part of this option.
The Project Option of the IS program is designed specifically for students who are planning to enter the workforce after completion of the degree. Students complete a significant independent project under the direction of two School of Information Technology faculty members as a part of this option.
The Course Option of the IS program is designed for students who are planning to enter the workplace after completion of the degree but who do not wish to complete a masters thesis or independent project as a part of their degree.
Within these program options, student will also choose one of four sequences to complete.
The Information Assurance and Security Sequence of the IS program is designed for students who are interested in focusing specifically on information systems security-related technologies and skills. Most students choosing this sequence plan to pursue further studies in Information Systems or Information Systems Security or work as a programmer-analyst or systems developer with systems security focus, or as a project manager.
The Internet Application Development Sequence of the IS program is designed for students who are interested in learning a variety of technologies and skills related to Internet application development. Most students choosing this sequence plan to pursue further studies in Information Systems or Internet Application Development or work as a web developer, systems developer, programmer-analyst, or project manager.
The Systems Development Sequence of the IS program is designed for students who are interested in learning a variety of technologies and skills related to information systems/systems development. Most students choosing this sequence plan to pursue further studies in Information Systems or work as a programmer-analyst, systems developer, or project manager.
The Telecommunications Management Sequence of the IS program is designed for students who are interested in focusing specifically on telecommunications-related technologies and skills. Most students choosing this sequence plan to pursue higher studies in Information Systems or Telecommunications or work as a programmer-analyst or systems developer with telecommunications focus, or as a project manager.
The IS program assumes an undergraduate knowledge base in information technology, which students with computer-related undergraduate degrees will typically have acquired. Students lacking sufficient background may be admitted to the program but should expect to complete some or all of the following courses with a grade of "A" or "B" before enrolling in graduate-level courses.
The ITK graduate advisor will determine specific foundation requirements.
In order to provide a solid IS foundation and a common background, each student in the M. S. in Information Systems program is required to complete all courses in the following core areas:
IS Technology
ITK 432: Systems Analysis and Design
ITK 478: Advanced Database Management
ITK 350.05: Fundamentals of Information Assurance and Security
ITK 377.05: Practical Telecommunications NetworkingIS Management
ITK 463: Information Technology Project Management
ITK 496: Information Technology Strategy and Policy
Additional Course
ITK 497: Introduction to Research Methodology
Each student will choose a program option and a degree sequence no later than the second semester of enrollment in the program.
Thesis (30 course credit hours + 6 thesis hours)
Project (33 course credit hours + 6 project hours)
Course (39 course credit hours)
Information Assurance and Security
Internet Application Development
Systems Development
Telecommunications Management
The requirements for each option and sequence may be found in the tables below.
Information Assurance and Security Sequence
Thesis Option |
Project Option |
Course Option 39 total hours*** |
|
Information Assurance and Security Sequence |
351.05: Data Communications Security | 351.05: Data Communications Security | 351.05: Data Communications Security |
| 2 of: 450: Policy and Administration in IA and Security 451: Tools and Applications in IA and Security 486: Topics in IA and Security 495: IT Capstone |
3 of: 450: Policy and Administration in IA and Security 451: Tools and Applications in IA and Security 486: Topics in IA and Security 495: IT Capstone |
TEC 349: Technical Writing |
|
| 499: Master's Thesis | 494: Graduate Directed Project | 495: IT Capstone |
Internet Application Development Sequence
Thesis Option |
Project Option |
Course Option 39 total hours*** |
|
Internet Application Development Sequence |
353.05: Web Development |
353.05: Web Development Technologies |
353.05: Web Development Technologies |
2 of: |
3 of: 354.05: Advanced Web Application Development 467: Human Factors in Information Systems 442: Electronic Commerce: Issues and Technologies 484: Topics in Internet App. Development 495: IT Capstone |
TEC 349: Technical Writing |
|
| 499: Master's Thesis | 494: Graduate Directed Project | 495: IT Capstone |
Thesis Option |
Project Option |
Course Option 39 total hours*** |
|
Systems Development Sequence |
467: Human Factors in Information Systems | 467: Human Factors in Information Systems | 467: Human Factors in Information Systems |
| 2 of: 341.05: Object Oriented Systems Development 460: Enterprise Systems Integration 468: Software Quality Assurance and Testing 485: Topics in Systems Development 495: IT Capstone |
3 of: 341.05: Object Oriented Systems Development 460: Enterprise Systems Integration 468: Software Quality Assurance and Testing 485: Topics in Systems Development 495: IT Capstone |
TEC 349: Technical Writing |
|
| 499: Master's Thesis | 494: Graduate Directed Project | 495: IT Capstone |
Telecommunications Management Sequence
Thesis Option |
Project Option |
Course Option 39 total hours*** |
|
Telecommunications Management Sequence |
479: Enterprise Telecommunications |
479: Enterprise Telecommunications |
479: Enterprise Telecommunications |
477: Converged Network Architectures |
3 of: |
TEC 349: Technical Writing |
|
| 499: Master's Thesis | 494: Graduate Directed Project | 495: IT Capstone |
*Students in the thesis option must complete a minimum of 18 hours of 400-level course work (6 classes), not including thesis hours.
** Students in the project option must complete a minimum of 21 hours of 400-level course work (7 classes), not including project hours.
*** Students in the course option must complete a minimum of 21 chorus of 400-level course work (7 classes).
To learn more about specific courses offered for the degree, you may access descriptions of the courses offered as a part of the program in the graduate catalog.
