Information Systems Technologies, Master of Science

Admission

Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information and requirements.

Before registering for your first course, please submit a graduate application for admission accompanied by a non-refundable $35 application fee.
Steps for registration:
1. Register for IST 7000 as the first course in the IST program.
2. Provide an official transcript from a regionally accredited college, university, or other degree-granting institution, verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree. Send official transcript(s) directly to Wilmington University from the identified college or university.
3. Review and sign the Code of Conduct Policy (required for the Information Assurance concentration only)
4. Attend a Master of Science Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST) orientation session at one of the sites
5. Register for DIS 095 (core courses are offered as hybrid which require the completion of DIS 095).

All Information Systems Technologies students are encouraged to complete IST 5000, an introductory academic writing course during their first semester.

Program Purpose

The express purpose of Wilmington University’s Master of Science program in Information Systems Technologies is to satisfy workplace needs for talented employees with advanced knowledge about managing information systems. Students completing the program will better understand the relationship between business requirements and technology solutions with an emphasis on applying a systems approach when integrating information technology into strategic business/education/government activities. Moreover, to capitalize on the inter-disciplinary nature of modern information systems and the settings in which they are implemented, the MS-IST includes four career concentrations.

Program Competencies

The graduate student who successfully completes the Information Systems Technologies program will be expected to:

Oral Communication

Speak with confidence, clarity, and conciseness.
Research, prepare, and deliver professional presentations.

Written Communication

Write clearly, concisely and appropriately using correct English grammar, punctuation, usage, mechanics, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
Utilize appropriate APA format for scholarly writings.

Disciplined Inquiry

Utilize quantitative, qualitative and scientific reasoning to solve problems.
Exercise critical thinking strategies, including reasoning, problem solving, analysis and evaluation.
Define a problem or issue and develop questions and methods to address the problem or issue and/or to create new knowledge.

Information Literacy

Access and use information effectively, efficiently, and appropriately.
Evaluate the quality of sources and content.
Use technology to effectively locate and communicate information.

Ethics

Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical code(s) and/or behaviors promoted by the profession.

Integration Component

Identify systemic interrelationships.
Apply a Systems Thinking Approach to identify benefits, disadvantages, and synergies of an Information System.

Business Application

Synthesize creative solutions recognizing the interdependence of various components in an organizational system.
Demonstrate the ability to apply various models concerning planning, organizing, controlling, and actuating an informational environment within a modern organization.

Program Design

Students who successfully complete the graduate degree program in Information Systems Technologies will possess a working command of current informational practices that can immediately be applied in business, educational, and governmental organizations regardless of size. Degree recipients will be capable of managing complex projects from inception to completion, including professional services engagements and the acquisition and management of informational infrastructure. The managerial nature of this program is closely aligned with the business curriculum at Wilmington University, but with a decidedly technological (or alternatively, a “design”) leaning. As each student is expected to choose a concentration that caters to their vocational predispositions, competencies in the management of specifically tailored aspects of technology, and the synergies attributable to an interdisciplinary learning approach, are expected to be program outcomes. Students graduating from the MS-IST program should be prepared to provide leadership in the Information Systems (IS) field. Graduates will have the following skills, knowledge, and values:

A core of IS knowledge
Integration of IS and business foundations
Broad business and real world perspectives
Communication, interpersonal, and team skills
Analytical and critical thinking skills
Specific skills leading to a career

Information Systems Foundations

Students who have an insufficient level of expertise to enter the program will be identified through a placement exam and will be required to take IST 5500 - IST Fundamentals.

MS-IST Core Course Requirements (15 credits)

The five core courses listed below are required for program completion.

IST 7000	Data Management	3
IST 7020	Analysis, Modeling, and Design	3
IST 7040	Data Communications and Networking	3
IST 7060	Project and Change Management	3
IST 7100	IT Policy and Strategy	3

8100 - Integration/Capstone course

The process of “integration” constitutes the capstone emphasis of the MS-IST program. After students complete the IST core and at least two concentration courses, they need to synthesize what they have learned. Furthermore, system integration is a pervasive aspect of IS practice. Integration can be viewed from three perspectives: a) Integrating the Enterprise; b) Integrating the IS Function; and c) Integrating IS Technologies. The capstone course 8100 is required for program completion. Management and Management Information Systems students as well as Geographic Information Systems students will take IST 8100. Internet/Web Design students will take DSN 8100. Information Assurance students will complete SEC 8100 and Information Technology/Systems Project Management students will complete IPM 8100.

Concentration

A concentration consists of five or more related courses that prepare a student for a specialization in their chosen major.