Master of Science in Information Systems

Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

Mississippi State University's accredited Master's in Information Systems (MSIS) offers students an affordable and flexible opportunity to participate in useful, well-designed courses information technology, systems analysis, database design, business telecommunication, and much more.

The MSIS program delivers online classes that parallel on-campus classes, leading to the same degree and major in Information Systems. Taught by MSU faculty, who have won awards for their innovative teaching, the Online MSIS program is accredited by AACSB, the most elite accreditation for business schools.

This program is not STEM-CERTIFIED.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour	$558.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour	$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Careers include but are not limited to:

Computer and Information System Manager
Computer Programmer
Database Administrator
Information Security Analyst
IT Consultant
Software Developer

To inquire about a GMAT/GRE waiver, please contact Bonner Whittington

What are some potential careers?

Program Structure

All students are required to take a set of basic business courses, or prerequisites, prior to taking their core courses. Students must complete the set of basic business courses listed below, or submit transcripts from other schools that carry equivalent courses with a grade of "B" or better. We offer survey courses online in place of many undergraduate prerequisites, designed for non-business undergraduates.

If you would like a pre-application evaluation of your transcript and prerequisites, you can e-mail or fax (662-325-1891) your transcript to Angelia Knight. Please note that a pre-application evaluation does not imply acceptance into the program.

Electives can be selected from other Graduate level courses.

Prerequisites:

Course Code	Title
ACC 2013 or ACC 2023	Financial Accounting or Managerial Accounting
or ACC 2203	Survey of Accounting
BQA 2113/3123	Business Statistical Methods I & II
or BQA 8443	Stat. Analysis for Business Decision Making
MGT 3113	Principles of Management (CLEP)
EC 2113 or EC 2123	Macroeconomics or Microeconomics
FIN 3123	Financial Management
MKT 3013	Principles of Marketing
Programming I	Computer Programming
Programming II	See Electives section

Note: MBAMath can be used as a substitute for the ACC, BQA, EC, and FIN course requirements. MBAMath is a self-guided 40-hour online lab that covers Accounting, Finance, Business Statistics, and Economics.

Curriculum

15 credit hours of required courses
12 to 15 hours of electives
Students who already have six (6) or more hours of programming may take 15 hours of electives. Students with only 3 hours of programming are required to take an additional 3 hours of graduate level programming and 12 hours of electives.

Required Courses

BIS 8113 Management Information Technology & Systems
Offered Spring and Fall
Three hours lecture. Course includes the description, development and use of systems from an analytical perspective. Technology-enabled concepts are used for student assignments.

BIS 8213 Secure Systems Analysis & Design
Offered Spring Only
(Prerequisite or co-requisite: BIS 8113 or any 3 hours of computer-related coursework). Three hours lecture. Analysis/design of secure computer-based information systems using structured methodologies. Emphasis on functional and security requirements analysis, business data analysis, logical system design, quality assurance, and comprehensive information security management.

BIS 8313 Advanced Database Design Administration
Offered Fall Only
(Prerequisite: Three hours of computer programming with a grade of B or better). Three hours lecture. Design and management of local and distributed data resources, database design, definition, creation, maintenance, acquisition and analytical use. Role of Database Administrator.

BIS 8413 Data Analytics
Offered Spring Only
(Prerequisite: BQA 8443 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Enterprise approach to improving business processes and managerial decision-making through quantitatively sophisticated analysis of organizational data. Hands-on experience in analytical techniques, modeling, and software.

BIS 8753 Information Systems Collaborative Project
Offered Spring Only
(Prerequisites: 9 hours of graduate BIS coursework beyond 8113). Three hours lecture. Capstone experience incorporating knowledge gained in prerequisite courses. Requires team participation using appropriate tools and methodologies in assisting organizations with real-world information systems related requirements through business and data analysis.

New Admissions

Application Checklist

Mississippi State University has an application deadline that allows students maximum flexibility in their decision to return to school. Students should note, however, that certain processes do require information to be submitted within a reasonable amount of time. The earlier you apply, the better your selection of courses.

Deadline for Fall Semester: August 1
Deadline for Spring Semester: December 1
Deadline for Summer Semester: May 15

The Office of Graduate Admissions will not accept classified (degree-seeking) applications submitted after the deadline. You will be allowed to submit test scores and other documents after the deadline in order to complete your application. Please contact Angelia Knight at aknight@business.msstate.edu about other options if you miss the classified (degree-seeking) deadline.

The following is a checklist designed to ensure that you complete all paperwork necessary for taking courses in the MSIS program at Mississippi State University as a classified student. Please note specific instructions for International Students in item 5. Detailed instructions regarding the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and payment of the application fee are found within the online application. Questions regarding your application can be addressed to the Office of Graduate Admissions grad@grad.msstate.edu or 662.325.7400.

Mailing Address:
The Office of the Graduate School
P.O. Box G
Mississippi State, MS 39762

Physical Street Address: (DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS)
Mississippi State University
Office of the Graduate School
175 Presidents Circle
617 Allen Hall
Mississippi State, MS 39762

Application - Complete the online Application for Admission which includes:
Statement of Purpose - Provide two to three paragraphs on who you are, why you want an MSIS, and why you selected Mississippi State University’s Online MSIS program. You may even discuss your past academic performance, and what that says about your ability to succeed in a graduate level program.

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation - When completing your online application you will be asked for three names and the email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you hit "submit" on the application and pay your application fee, your references will receive an email from MSU which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.

Application fee $60 or $80 for international applications - If you did not submit your $60 payment online during the application process please contact the Office of the Graduate School at 662.325.7400 to make your payment.
Resume - Please send electronically to Bonner Whittington.
Transcript - Request one official transcript from EVERY university or school you have previously attended. Your university should send them directly to MSU, not to you. Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
Paper transcripts should be mailed to:
International Students - The College of Business requires a minimum TOEFL score of 84 iBT (internet based), or 84 on the revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test, or 575 PBT (unavailable after July 2017) or an IELTS score of 7.0. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog
- ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. For those students applying for the summer or fall 2020 semester who have taken the TOEFL within five years of the semester they plan to enroll and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, we will accept your previous test scores.
Technology - For successful completion of the MSState Online MSIS program please follow the instructions on our Technical Assistance page for recommended technology.
Orientation - After you are admitted, please sign up for the Online Orientation.

Readmissions

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Forms

Registration Assistance - The Registration Assistance Form should be completed by students who have tried to register in Banner and were unsuccessful. This work should be completed and email to Bonner Whittington.

Minor Request - This form should be completed by students wanting to pursue a minor. Please be sure to discuss your desire to pursue a minor by Ms. Angelia Knight prior to completing and submitting this form.

Campus/Concentration Change - This form should be completed by students who are wanting to change their concentration.

Course Retake Form - This should be completed by those students who would like to retake a course.

Proctor Request Form (Needed Only for Exams Requiring A Proctor) - Students must submit this Proctor Request Form to the Center for Distance Education for approval at least two weeks prior to the exam date or as otherwise stated on your syllabus.

All proctors must fit the guidelines of this form and provide a professional e-mail account and physical work address to verify his/her title. If a proctor opts to charge a proctoring fee, the fee is the responsibility of the student, not MSU. If the proctor is unable to fulfill the required duties, it is his/her responsibility to notify both the student and the Center for Distance Education immediately. Then it is the student's responsibility to find another qualified proctor in their location. If the student cannot find a proctor to fit the guidelines then contact Gail Miller (662.325.2677) at the Center for Distance Education

Intent to Graduate - Prior to registering for your last semester, review your program of study with the Online MSIS academic advisor Elissa Landers to make sure that you have completed all your prerequisites and core requirements. Start this process by sending her the Notification of Intent to Apply for Graduation.

Other Grad Forms