Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Catalog 2015 - 2016 
    
Graduate Catalog 2015 - 2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer and Information Science-Information Systems (IS) Track, MCIS


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Department of Information Systems

Ahuja Hall 344
(216) 687-4760
https://www.csuohio.edu/business/information-systems/information-systems

Ben A. Blake, Interim Chair and Graduate Program Director

Introduction

The Information Systems (IS) track in the Master of Computer and Information Science (MCIS) program at Cleveland State University is a specialized degree program specifically designed to prepare students for careers as information professionals.  The MCIS-IS track is housed within the Monte Ahuja College of Business.  The coursework combines a blend of technology and management oriented courses designed to prepare the next generation of technology managers to lead enterprises in innovative ways.  Specializations within the program allow students to build specific skill sets in areas such as information security, information technology management, and business analytics.

Faculty

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Faculty and Research

Because of the broad range of research interests of the faculty, there are numerous opportunities for students to participate in special projects or research in all areas of information technology. The optional master’s thesis allows a student to conduct a more formal research project. Faculty publications and research interests over the past few years have been in the areas of database analysis and design, data mining, geographic information systems, IT governance, business intelligence, object-oriented systems analysis and design, human interfaces, and business analytics.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Information Systems and the Monte Ahuja College of Business Administration have a limited number of graduate assistantships available each year. A student may apply for an assistantship by completing an application form from the Graduate Business Programs Office. Copies of the completed applications are circulated to department chairs and program directors within the College. Interviews with prospective graduate assistants are arranged directly by department chairs and others who hire and supervise graduate assistants. Assistantships are not awarded in the IS Department until a student has been in a graduate program for at least one semester.

Career Information

Students in the MCIS-IS track have a wide range of options, allowing them to focus their studies on topics such as information system management, database development, networks management, web development, and others. As a result, a graduate’s career options will vary somewhat, depending on the chosen areas of study. Typical starting positions in this field would include technical-support manager, database administrator, project manager, and operations manager.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the College of Graduate Studies , as well as the following additional requirements:

  1. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or better
  2. Test scores from either the Graduate Record Examinaton (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are required if at least one of the following conditions is true: (a) the applicant’s undergraduate degree is from a college or university outside of the United States; (b) the applicant’s undergraduate degree is from a college or university without at least a regional level accreditation; (c) the applicant’s undergraduate cumulative grade point average is below 3.0
  3. For those applicants who need GRE or GMAT, the following minimums are required: (a) a minimum total score of the 40th percentile or above if GMAT is taken; or (b) a minimum score of the 50th percentile in the Quantitative Reasoning portion of the GRE; and (c) a minimum score of the 5th percentile in the verbal portion of the GRE or GMAT.
  4. For applicants whose native language is not English:
    1. A score on the TOEFL of at least 550 for the Paper Based Test (PBT) or 213 for the Computer Based Test (CBT) or 78 overall for the Internet Based Test (IBT).  For the IBT, a distribution of 20 in Reading, 21 in Listening, 17 in Writing and 20 in Speaking are required.
  5. An official transcript from each college and university previously attended.

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/graduate-admissions/how-apply

Preparatory Program


Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in information systems or a related discipline will be required to complete the following preparatory courses with a grade of B or better.  Courses in the preparatory program should be completed prior to entering the program.

Degree Requirements


Students are to complete a total of 31/33 credits to complete the MCIS-IS.  The program structure consists of 18 credits of Core courses and 15 credits of Electives.  Students may choose to complete a non-credit thesis in lieu of one elective.

Thesis Sub-track


Students in the Thesis track are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of elective coursework in addition to one (1) credit of Graduate Thesis Research.

Non-Thesis Sub-track


Students in the Non-Thesis track are required to complete 15 credits of electives.

Internship Sub-track


Students in the Internship track can include up to three (3) credits of Graduate Internship as part of their elective coursework.

Electives (15 or 12 credits)


Non-thesis students are to complete a minimum of 15 hours from the list of approved electives.  Thesis students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of approved electives and 1 credit of Graduate Thesis Research.

Elective tracks


Students are encouraged to take electives following prescribed tracks.  These will allow students to build upon the core curriculum by focusing in an area of specialization.

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