Information Systems Technology

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• Main Campus and Arlington
• 202.994.9140
• msistao@gwu.edu
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• Virginia Campus, Ashburn
• 703.726.8330
• vais@gwu.edu

Academic Program

MIS, ISD

• Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Information Systems Development (ISD)

• 11 graduate level courses, 33 credit hours, 3 potential technical pre-requisites
• FT/PT
• Multiple locations
• Specialize your coursework
• Diverse student background

Throughout the curriculum the faculty challenge students to think critically, analyze problems and effectively acquire and integrate knowledge, strategies, and key technologies to solve the business problems faced by IT management. Students can specialize their coursework by selecting a field of study that allows them to focus on the managerial aspects of IT to the highly technical and complex components of IT projects and systems.

The Management Information Systems (MIS) concentration provides a solid technical understanding of contemporary information systems as well as the managerial skills necessary to effectively identify and implement solutions within an organization. Students learn to use information systems to support management activities.

Students completing the MIS concentration with the guidance of their advisor may qualify for the CIO University Certificate.

The Information Systems Development (ISD) concentration prepares students for a career in the application of computers to complex data and information problems found in organizations today. ISD is an excellent choice for those interested in designing information systems to fulfill a need whether it be in business, government or not-for-profit organizations.

	Management Information Systems (MIS)	Information Systems Development (ISD)
	11 courses	11 courses
Core Courses	8 core courses Create a strong foundation in information systems development, telecommunications and networks, database systems, IT Project Management, Internet Computing, Information Systems Security, Information Resource Management and the design of on-line information systems.
Elective Courses required by concentration	Choose 3: customize your program to develop your managerial interests.	Choose 3: customize your program to develop your technical interests.

 

Course Locations

	MIS	ISD
Main Campus 2201 G Street, NW Funger Hall, Suite 515 Washington, DC 20052
Graduate Education Center, Arlington One Virginia Square, Suite 400 3601 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22201
The Virginia Campus 44983 Knoll Square Suite 126 Ashburn, VA 20147

 

Degree Requirements

All fields of concentration require completion of core technology-oriented courses including a capstone project. Each stage of the information systems life cycle is discussed in terms of technologies, impact and management. Topics include structured and object-oriented analysis, prototyping, software reuse, testing, life cycle costs, software development environments, and organizational and behavioral aspects of project development.

Required Courses for all MSIST concentrations (please refer to the Graduate Bulletin for course descriptions)

Student choose a field of study depending on the emphasis they wish to place on a specific aspect of IT – systems development, management of information systems.

MIS and ISD concentrations require 11 courses or 33 credit hours. All require the eight core courses listed above. In addition, each concentration has a unique mix of electives available for the student to select.

Students may also be required to complete additional, potentially waived, technical prerequisites. The prerequisites serve to level the knowledge base for entering students and provide for a richer classroom experience.

Technical Prerequisites and Waivers:

Students choosing to concentrate in the MIS and ISD fields of study may be required to complete up to three of the following technical prerequisite courses either prior to or within the first year of coursework:

The prerequisites may be satisfied by prior appropriate undergraduate or graduate coursework, by waiver exam. Professional seminars are not considered as appropriate coursework and may not be used to satisfy a prerequisite.

Management Information Systems (MIS) Courses:

MIS focuses on technical and management issues surrounding the analysis, design, and implementation of information systems affecting public and private sector organizations. The concentration requires 11 courses or 33 credit hours. In addition to the eight courses required of all MSIST students, specified above, the following elective courses (choose 3) are necessary for degree completion.

Required MIS Courses (choose three)

 

Information Systems Development (ISD) Courses:

ISD emphasizes the practical understanding of design and implementation approaches used in the development of computer-based systems. The concentration requires 11 courses or 33 credit hours. In addition to the eight courses required of all MSIST students, specified above, the following elective courses (choose 3) are necessary for degree completion.

Required ISD Courses (choose three):

Executive Master of Science in Information Systems (EMIS)

EMIS, a CIO University Partner, attracts rising and senior level decision-makers. This elite program focuses on understanding key technologies, strategic thinking, and methodologies for IT decision-making and leadership. Full-time coursework, 36 credit hours or 13 courses, is completed in 15-months without career interruption. Students maintain a full-time career while attending classes on alternating Fridays or Saturdays from 8:30 am-5:30 pm. Each class day typically includes two courses taught in four-hour blocks. Cohorts are formed only in the Fall semester. Cohort participants are carefully selected based on experience with a focus on managerial and decision-making responsibilities and technical skills. EMIS is offered only at the GW Virginia Campus in Ashburn.

Required Courses:

Fall Semester I

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

Fall Semester II