OMSIST Academic Program

Our 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.

The Curriculum

The Master of Science in Information Systems Technology (MSIST) program curriculum offers an innovative mix of information and technology management courses and specialized electives.

Throughout the program, 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.

33 Credits

OMSIST students take a total of 11, 3-credit courses: 7 core and 4 electives. An additional 3-6 credits of foundation courses may be required; an advisor determines waiver eligibility. Students may customize their 4 elective courses by selecting a focus ranging from the managerial aspects of IT to the highly technical and complex components of IT projects and systems. Advisors consult with students to create a program completion plan that best suits their needs.

Students admitted prior to the fall 2015 semester must follow the curriculum outlined in their program statement.

All core courses are taught online in rotation during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Select elective courses are taught online in those same semesters. Students must complete all core courses to be eligible for the ISTM 6210 – Integrated Information Systems Capstone course.

Duration

Students typically complete degree requirements in the following time frames:

  • Part-Time, 3-6 credits per semester: 24-36 months
  • Full-Time, 9 credits per spring and fall semester: 18-24 months

Curriculum

View course descriptions in the GW Bulletin

Foundations*
Foundation Courses* Must be completed, if required the first year of the program
ISTM 3119 Introduction to Structured Programming
ISTM 4121 Principles of Database Design/Expert Database Systems
ISTM 6290 Python & SQL
Required – 7 Core Courses
Core Courses  Must be finished before enrolling in Capstone 6210
ISTM 6201 Info Systems Development
ISTM 6202 Relational Databases (4121 or 6290*)
ISTM 6204 Information Technology Project Management
ISTM 6205 Internet Computing (3119 or 6290*)
ISTM 6206 Information Systems Security
ISTM (6208) 6290 Web and Social Analysis
Capstone Course
ISTM 6210 Integrated Info. Systems Capstone (all core)
Electives – choose any 4
Technical Electives
ISTM 6203 Telecommunication and Enterprise Networks
ISTM 6211 Data Warehousing/OLAP (6202)
ISTM 6213 Enterprise Web and Database Applications (6205 and 6202)
ISTM 6214 Advanced Programming and Business Applications
ISTM 6215 Human Computer Interaction
Managerial Electives
ISTM 6207 Information Resource Management
ISTM 6222 IS/IT Strategy
ISTM 6223 Technology Entrepreneurship
ISTM 6224 Management of Technology and Innovation
ISTM 6225 Enterprise Architecture
ISTM 6233 Emerging Technologies
ISTM 6239 Seminar on Technology Commercialization (6223 or 6224)

*One or more of the foundation courses may be waived depending upon previous coursework   Students needing content from both foundation courses may either take both courses or 6290*  If only one content area is needed, students may take either the one needed or 6290*

**Prerequisite courses in parenthesis
Required: All 7 Core Courses (6 plus the capstone course)   21 credits
4 Electives – either 4 technical or 4 managerial, or a combination of the two
for a total of 4 electives – 12 credits