Information Systems for Executives, MS

Contact:

Michael Fudge

Program Director

(315)443-2911

igrad@syr.edu

Website:

https://ischool.syr.edu/academics/graduate/masters-degrees

Overview:

Information has a fundamental effect on the structure, process and success of all organizations. Those who can manage the tools of information acquisition, use, retention and transfer can enable their organizations to develop and leverage strategic advantages based upon information. Along with these advantages comes also the responsibility to set forth and manage policies for the use and protection of information resources at all levels across the enterprise. The Master of Science in Information Systems for Executives (MSIS-Ex) is designed to prepare students who have significant IT work experience with management responsibilities to respond to four basic challenges confronting organizations today:

Increasing the effectiveness of managers and executives who work with information resources;
Designing and managing mission-critical information technologies within organizations;
Developing corporate and government policies to maximize the benefits resulting from the widespread use of these technologies; and
Leveraging information resources to achieve strategic advantage for business, government, and nonprofit organizations.

The iSchool at Syracuse University is a leading center for defining both the theory and the practice of information management. Like the school itself, the MSIS Executives program is interdisciplinary in focus, combining expertise in the strategic management of information resources, organizational psychology, human-computer interaction, information economics, information policy, e-business, information technology, as well as data management.

Professional Values and Competencies:

MSIS Executive graduates acquire skills in management and organizational change, solution analysis and design, communication and collaboration, business process improvement, and applied information technology. Our graduates learn to approach challenges with strategic vision, while ensuring that technology solutions integrate with enterprise goals.

Learning Outcomes

Management of Technology: Integrate technical and solution development concepts with the principles of management, strategy, and financial analysis; apply these concepts in the analysis of management case studies and problems; analyze, compare, evaluate, and clearly articulate the relative value of IT investment alternatives
Management of Solution Development: Apply disciplines used in the development of information system solutions, to solve organizational and business problems
Technical Knowledge: Apply information and computing technologies to solve information problems at the individual and organizational levels
Environmental Context of IM: Explain how demographic, social, economic and ethical factors, as well as local, national and international information policy and regulation affect Information Technology solutions
Professional Communication Skills: Develop and deliver professional communications in the field
Leadership and Teamwork Development: Demonstrate leadership, ethics, and effective collaboration skills
Information Literacy, Analysis, and Problem-Solving: Find, organize, manage, evaluate, and use information resources critically and effectively for the solution of professional problems

Admission to the MS - Information Systems for Executives Program

Requirements for admission to the M.S. Information Systems for Executives program begin with the same requirements for admission to the 36-credit M.S. Information Systems program: https://ischool.syr.edu/admissions/checklists/information-management-checklist/ However, admission to the M.S. Information Systems for Executives program involves one additional requirement: Students applying to the program will each have a formal evaluation of their experience approved by the Program Director. A current resume and joining-leaving letters from employers are required and may be audited. Students qualifying for admission must have a minimum of three years of full-time professional experience in the information technology field, and, in the opinion of the Program Director, must also have demonstrated leadership growth through a record of continuously increasing job responsibilities from technical to managerial.

Curriculum

The 30-credit M.S. Information Systems for Executives includes a 9-credit primary core across two core areas, a 9-credit secondary core across four core areas, 9 credits of electives, and a 3-credit exit requirement. With approval, students may substitute advanced courses for primary and secondary core courses.

Recommended Primary Core courses (9 credits):

Students can choose 9 credits in one track, or a mix of both. Courses other than those listed below may apply to the Primary Core and a formal petition is required.

Management Strategies and Users Track

IST 614 - Information Technology Management and Policy 3 credit(s)
IST 618 - Information Policy 3 credit(s)
IST 619 - Economics of Digital Transformation 3 credit(s)
IST 621 - Information Management and Technology 3 credit(s)
IST 625 - Enterprise Risk Management 3 credit(s)
IST 645 - Managing Information Systems Projects 3 credit(s)
IST 649 - Human Interaction with Computers 3 credit(s)
IST 654 - Information Systems Analysis 3 credit(s)
IST 726 - Enterprise Architecture: Concepts and Practice 3 credit(s)

Technological Infrastructure Track

IST 615 - Cloud Management 3 credit(s)
IST 623 - Introduction to Information Security 3 credit(s)
IST 639 - Enterprise Technologies 3 credit(s)
IST 652 - Scripting for Data Analysis 3 credit(s)
IST 659 - Data Administration Concepts and Database Management 3 credit(s)
IST 687 - Introduction to Data Science 3 credit(s)

Recommended Secondary Core courses (9 credits)

The following advising lists show several possible tracks that can be appropriate for students with varying types of prior experience and learning goals. These tracks represent domains in the field that might be of interest as specific areas of emphasis depending upon the student’s prior work experience. Students can choose 9 credits from the lists below, selecting all credits from one track, or from a mix of all four. Courses other than those listed below may apply to the Secondary Core and a formal petition is required.

Elective courses (9 credits)

All iSchool courses are acceptable electives, including “Selected Topics” courses, listed as IST 500, 600, or 700. These courses are offered based on sufficient interest of a topic and not covered by standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester. All students are allowed to take up to 6 elective credits from other schools at Syracuse University, such as the Whitman School of Management or the College of Engineering and Computer Science. In addition to formal courses, students may fashion an independent study by collaborating with a faculty member. Students can also count IST 971: Information Systems Internship in place of an elective course.

Exit Requirements:

*The graduate seminars are not currently being offered and students will be automatically waived from this requirement. Please speak to your academic advisor if you have any questions. IST 755 is still required.

Graduate Immersion Milestone Seminar: (non-credit/required for all students)

This is a 1-3 day on-campus residency seminar that presents emerging topics in the information studies field. The seminar topics and presentations are designed to bring together students from all graduate programs in the school, feature guest speakers from commercial, government, community and educational organizations, and which are organized and coordinated by a lead faculty member. Three residency seminars will be delivered in the school per calendar year. Students must complete one seminar during their program of study, and this may be completed at any point in the program.

IST 755 Strategic Management of Information Resources

IST 755 , the MSIS Executives capstone course, may be taken after completion of at least 24 credits in the degree program.