MBA

Cal State L.A.ís Master of Science in Information Systems degree program (MSIS) is designed for the needs of working professionals who are interested in senior consulting, project management and professional positions in IS/IT and user organizations. The Professional track is designed for current IS/IT professionals. The Executive track provides a career change path for working managers and professionals.

Cal State L.A.ís MSIS program is designed to create IS/IT professionals that have the background needed to move up to senior planning, consulting and project management positions.

Professional Option applicants are required to have a bachelorís degree from an accredited university, at least two yearsí professional level experience in the information systems field, and a strong interest in elevating their professional IS/IT careers. A basic knowledge of business operations and information systems/technology is a prerequisite for admission to graduate courses.

The Executive Option is designed to provide working executives, managers, and professionals the technical and managerial skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of senior professional and management positions in information systems. It provides the background knowledge needed for a career change into IS/IT planning, consulting, and project management positions.

Applicants are required to have a bachelorís degree from an accredited university, at least three yearsí professional level experience, and an interest in a career in IS/IT. A basic knowledge of business operations is a prerequisite for admission to graduate courses.

The program requires twelve courses and a comprehensive examination. Most students complete the program in two years.

CIS	504	Management Information Systems	4
CIS	585	Communication and Information Services	4
CIS	590	IS/IT Policy and Strategy	4

CIS	510	IS/IT Architecture	4
CIS	520	Software Engineering	4
CIS	598	Graduate Directed Study	4

CIS	501	Application Programming	4
CIS	502	Analysis and Logical Design I: Data/Object Structure	4
CIS	503	Analysis and Logical Design II: Methodology	4

In conference with their graduate advisor, MSIS candidates select six graduate level elective courses. Typical elective courses include:

Analysis of the tools needed to mine data from data warehouses, from the Web, and from commercial information services; experience in downloading the data into PC packages and in producing multi-media presentations from the data.

Database concepts, comparison of relational and object-oriented models, unified modeling language for databases, principles of data warehousing, database administration and development tools, case study in database design.

Recent developments and trends in data and voice communication-oriented hardware, software, and architectures. Design, installation, and systems management of distributed systems.

Analysis, development, and design of a Web-based e-commerce site model for an actual business. Course includes a hands-on project incorporating Web design, electronic transfer processing, and site development/maintenance.

Design of Websites based on visual, color, content, animation, and hierarchical elements. Tailoring format and writing for the specific audience, purpose, and media. Incorporating interactivity to enhance understanding and usability.

Analysis, design, implementation, management, and use of decision support and expert systems and their impact on how organizations operate. Hands on development of a decision support/expert systems model.

Approaches and tools for consulting to the modern information-age organization. Presentation of the results of actual consulting projects. Student case study presentations.

Controlling and auditing mission-critical computer and communication-based systems. Challenges to management, information systems, and auditors.

Organizational, behavioral and life-cycle aspects of the project planning, staffing, control, and implementation elements of technology-based systems.