The Master of Science degree in Information Systems program is designed to meet the needs of busy people, allowing them to gain the necessary education without interrupting their current career paths.
Master of Science classes are held late afternoons and evenings at Marist's main campus in Poughkeepsie. Information Systems classes have also been developed to be taught online.
Students may elect to study on a full or part-time basis, and may pursue the Master of Science degree by electing one of two tracks: Information Systems Management (ISM) or the Information Technology Management (ITM). ISM is the foundation for a career position for Chief Information Officer (CIO) while ITM is the foundation career position for Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The tracks and courses are chosen in consultation with the Information Systems Graduate Director.
The Information Systems degree program accommodates individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. Ideally, applicants should possess a reasonable proficiency in object oriented programming.
Admission to the program is selective. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. As a rule, students admitted to the program have an above average academic record. However, other factors, such as work experience and academic coursework beyond the baccalaureate, are also taken into consideration.
In addition to the formal application for admission, applicants should provide official transcripts of all academic work including technical or professional non-credit training, a current resume, and a written statement regarding career objectives and reason(s) for selecting Marist's Master of Science degree program, desired specialization, and applicant's personal and professional expectations from this program.
The Master's Program in Information Systems
The primary goal of the master's program in Information Systems is to help meet the increasing demand for knowledgeable personnel who possess a balanced combination of technical and managerial skills. In keeping with this goal, the program offers two tracks. ISM has a business administration component. ITM has an information technology component. The essential focus of both tracks is preparing students to identify, analyze and solve business problems using the systems approach - a proactive approach to problem solving, planning and managing. Throughout the program, faculty encourage students to develop and exercise critical thinking skills. Students are called upon to identify and state important points, and their supporting arguments; recognize assumptions and biases, and their implications; detect contradictory or irrelevant information; and analyze and articulate relationships. Primary areas of study include information systems technology, systems concepts, and processes and management functions. Through repeated exposure, students also become well versed in the principles of quality management - principles that are an integral component of modern systems analysis and design. Information students are not only gaining new skills, they are preparing for one of the nation's best and fastest growing careers - systems analyst. National, state and local labor department statistics rank the occupation of systems analyst among the top growth fields through the year 2005. In addition, Bureau of Labor statistics place systems analysts among the top 25% of the nation's work force in terms of compensation.
In addition, we recognize our responsibilities to the community we serve, and strive to provide opportunity for continuing education at many levels through certificate and undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Sensitivity to the non-traditional student is reflected in our scheduling and mode of delivery as well as the content of our courses.
Some of the Careers Available to Graduates of the Master's Program in Information Systems
|
Programmer Network Administrator Systems Analyst |
Consultant Project Manager Chief Information Officer |
Database Designer Systems Designer Chief Technology Officer |
