The Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS-MIS) program emphasizes the development of students' information technology (IT) leadership skills. Students admitted to the MS-MIS build on the foundation of a four-year undergraduate major in Management Information Systems (MIS), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Science (CS), or a closely related field, enabling MS-MIS students to focus on advanced courses in solutions delivery, cyber security, and IT strategy. Further, students develop their problem identification, critical solution creation, and communications abilities via the execution of experiential projects and a research paper focused on practical, relevant industry topics.
The MS-MIS is an on-campus program requiring 30 hours of coursework. It is offered in both traditional and Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) versions.
The MS-MIS is not a STEM-designated program for purposes of Optional Practical Training (OPT). Therefore, students completing this degree qualify for a maximum 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) F-1 visa.
Admissions
Applicants are expected to hold a four-year undergraduate major in Management Information Systems (MIS), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Science (CS), or a closely related field, at the time of enrollment. If a student's major is not through a business school, there should be evidence of the completion of business school core education courses or equivalent work experience.
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
- A resume
- 3 letters of recommendation
- A GPA of 3.3 or higher on 4.0 scale
- A GRE score of at least 307 (verbal + quantitative), a GMAT score of at least 580, or a GMAT Focus Edition score of at least 485.
- GRE/GMAT Score Waiver: Any student who previously graduated with a BS in MIS from The University of Alabama and has a graduation date within five calendar years of the date application is submitted can be considered for a GRE/GMAT waiver. Contact MIS program director for additional information.
- A TOEFL score of at least 90, an IELTS score of at least 7.0, a Duolingo score of at least 110, or a PTE score of at least 59 for non-native English speakers who are required to submit an English Language test score (see admissions criteria link below).
Students who do not meet these requirements, but who excel in other areas, may be considered for "Admission with Permission to Continue" if they have a GPA greater than 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours.
Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) students must meet the minimum admission requirements as listed in the AMP section of this catalog.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements
Completion of 30 hours of graduate-level credit via a course plan approved by the MS-MIS Program Director.
| Requirement Core Courses | Hours |
| MIS 505 | Enterprise Network & Security | 3 |
| MIS 520 | Systems Analysis And Design | 3 |
| MIS 530 | Sys Development/Implementation | 3 |
| MIS 535 | Information Systems Consulting | 3 |
| MIS 598 | Res In Management Info Systems | 3 |
| 15 |
| |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Approved MIS Electives
Elective courses complete the 30 hours of graduate-level credit and may be selected from either Electives list below:
| MIS Elective Courses | Hours |
| |
Approved Non-MIS Electives
| Non-MIS Electives | Hours |
| MGT 488 | Cyber Security Strategy | 3 |
| MGT 512 | Management Presentations | 3 |
| MGT 517 | Leadership & Ethics | 3 |
| MGT 520 | Change Management | 3 |
| MGT 522 | Leadership Communication | 3 |
| MGT 552 | Project Mgmt & Consulting | 3 |
| MGT 556 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| MGT 582 | New Venture Development | 3 |
| MGT 586 | Small Business Consulting | 3 |
| ST 540 | Stat Prog & Comp with R | 3 |
| ST 545 | Intro Stat Learn & Data Mining | 3 |
| ST 547 | Data Vis and Analytics in R | 3 |
| ST 560 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| OM 525 | Effective Quality Management | 3 |
| MKT 489 | Managing Customer Data | 3 |
| MKT 510 | Prod Design Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MKT 537 | Personal Selling | 3 |
| MKT 542 | Digital/Social Media Analytics | 3 |
| MKT 543 | Adv Digital and Social Media | 3 |
| |
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit must meet UA's transfer credit policy and be approved by the MS-MIS Program Director.
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Accelerated Master's Program
The MS-MIS AMP program allows qualified undergraduate students to begin taking graduate courses during their senior year of undergraduate study. Students who have not graduated with their undergraduate degree are not eligible for graduate assistantships or graduate student scholarships.
Further information on the Accelerated Master's Program.
Comprehensive Exam/Capstone
The MS-MIS Capstone Project consists of two requirements.
Research Paper - This requirement is completed in MIS 598 Res In Management Info Systems. The research paper requirement is satisfied by the successful completion of an industry-relevant "policy and practice" paper which focuses on developing and demonstrating the student's ability to:
- Recognize and interpret information systems/ information technology trends to examine their potential value and impacts in order to evaluate opportunities to formulate novel uses of those technologies.
- Explain and support findings and recommendations in writing.
Capstone Project - This requirement is completed via the integrated course offerings of MIS 530 Sys Development/Implementation and MIS 535 Information Systems Consulting. The capstone project requirement focuses on developing and demonstrating the student's ability to:
- Identify business problems to sketch and analyze opportunities for digital transformation, including valuing them to formulate effective systems solutions.
- Via an understanding of requirements principles, apply those principles to analyze business requirements to evaluate alternatives in order to design effective solutions.
- Explain and support findings and recommendations orally.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Student Progress Requirement
Student's progress is reviewed at the end of each semester against the following standards:
- Cumulative GPA 3.5 or better in all coursework for second and subsequent semesters after admission to the MS-MIS program.
- Most recently completed semester GPA 3.3 or better in all coursework.
- No grades of C or lower in graduate-level coursework.
At the end of each semester, for any student not meeting all the criteria above, the following actions may be implemented at the sole discretion of the MS-MIS Program Director:
- First semester in which any criteria not met: student placed on Academic Probation.
- Subsequent semester after Academic Probation, if any criteria not met: student dismissed from the MS-MIS program.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation Information
Graduate School information on Graduation information
