Master of Science in Computer Information Systems
The Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS)
degree program, offered by the School of Continuing Studies
in collaboration with the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied
Science, is designed to prepare its graduates for the technology-oriented
jobs of the future that will require project management, systems
development, network management, and information systems
management skills.
Reflecting the dynamic nature of information technology,
we review our curriculum annually with our technology advisory
board to insure that we are meeting the needs of the competitive
global business environment. The
curriculum integrates industry practice with theory and
presents enduring principles as well as the specific technical
and organizational skills that will help students to accelerate
their careers. The curriculum is designed to follow the ACM/AIS
guidelines that were developed, leveraging the expertise of
both industry and academia. We are the beneficiaries of an
active and engaged local technology community that shares
knowledge and internship and job opportunities with our students.
Please be sure to review the important
dates pertaining to this program.
Program Outcomes
The objectives of the MSCIS program are to:
- Provide the technical and organizational knowledge needed
to understand how to use technology to achieve business
goals and strategies, manage technology resources and leverage
information for competitive advantage
- Prepare students for positions related to computer information systems in software development,
business systems analysis, data warehousing, IT consulting,
network management, and project management through specializations
- Provide students with technical expertise, communication
skills, team work and collaboration skills, and strong analytic
and problem-solving skills by integrating practical learning
experiences into our pedagogy
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the MSCIS program, students are able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of project management,
the systems development process, information management,
and business information systems through our core
courses
- Understand and apply current information technologies
for database administration and management, telecommunications management,
and
software development through our specializations
- Demonstrate proficiency in professional communication
through our instructional pedagogy
- Understand how to work in and manage project teams to
achieve project goals through our capstone
experience
Careers in Computer Information Systems
The digital global economy has resulted in tremendous change
in the practice of computer information systems in all organizations
in the past decade and this has accelerated in the past few
years. Technology careers of the future include: outsourcing
management, project management, business requirements analysis,
quality assurance, decision support systems, business process
analysis, data warehouse management, and telecommunications
management. The MSCIS preadmission option facilitates applications
from career-changers and those seeking to augment their skills
and credentials with a graduate degree from Northwestern
University.
A Professional Degree
The MSCIS is a professional degree that integrates the information,
business, and technology cultures. It is focused on the practice
of IT in organizations, emphasizing communication, working
in and managing teams, and aligning technology projects with
business priorities.
Our students are typically working professionals who wish
to advance their knowledge and skills in order to seek leadership
opportunities and positions in organizations of all kinds.
Some are fulfilling their ambition to pursue a technology-oriented
career while others are seeking to enhance their current profession
with deeper knowledge of computer information systems. The
program is designed to meet the needs of both audiences, by
including two prerequisite courses to prepare the students
who come from other professions.
The program is distinct from traditional computer science
programs because its emphasis is on the management of software
development projects within business organizations rather
than preparing students to be professional programmers or
developers.
Graduates of the MSCIS degree program typically find positions
as project managers, database administrators, software engineers,
systems analysts, business analysts, and application developers.
They pursue their careers in a variety of organizations including
large and mid-size corporations, startup companies, nonprofits,
and government agencies.
Features of the Program
- Two prerequisite
courses, especially designed to assist students who
are seeking to move into IT as a career
- Five core courses
that focus on software development, project management and
the strategic role of technology in organizations
- Three optional tracks that allow students to specialize in software project management and development, database and Internet technologies, and information systems security
- Advanced
electives that allow students to explore emerging technologies
- Capstone
project or master’s thesis to apply the skills
learned in the program
- Courses offered during evenings, with 4 quarters per
year, convenient locations: Chicago Loop, Chicago Lakefront,
Evanston and Schaumburg
For more information about the growing
field of information technology, visit these sites:
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