This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2020-21 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs and courses approved by the publication deadline; however we may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Note: Admission to this program is temporarily suspended.
Program accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Program goal
The Master of Science in Information Systems program is designed to prepare students for specialized roles in information systems. The program is intended to provide a graduate-level, technically oriented curriculum that focuses on the design and development of information systems to solve real-world problems. The department’s curriculum is focused on the rapidly emerging area known as enterprise information systems. Graduates of the program are expected to be able to take significant roles in planning, organizing, managing, designing, configuring and implementing EIS systems using state-of-the-art technologies within organizations.
Student learning outcomes
- Graduates should be capable of communicating and networking effectively within their profession and within their organizations, serving the profession by applying this knowledge broadly and maintaining key technical expertise in order to sustain required levels of competitiveness.
- Graduates must have an understanding of information technology as it applies to business contexts and the skill to apply this technology effectively in specific circumstances.
- Graduates must be able to develop efficient and effective IS solutions using appropriate technologies that can deliver competitive advantages to organizations.
- Graduates must be able to develop and incorporate changes in the planning and management of IS resources based on an increased understanding of the dynamic changes in the organization, IS and global environments.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Other information
School of Business policies and procedures for graduate students are available on the school’s website.
Note: Admission to this program is temporarily suspended.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. | Spring | Feb 1 |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants to the master’s program in information systems must submit an up-to-date resume.
Note: Admission to this program is temporarily suspended.
Degree requirements
In addition to the VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours.
The Executive Master of Science in Information Systems with a concentration in information technology management provides an opportunity for current information technology professionals and business managers to receive the necessary preparation to move into IT management roles. Participants gain a wide range of new skills and knowledge by combining course work with their day-to-day professional activities. The program is targeted to rising business executives, entrepreneurs and information systems professionals. The program differs from the regular M.S. in Information Systems program in that it is offered in a weekend format, with students meeting for classes on alternate weekends throughout the calendar year. The lockstep program consists of 10 required courses.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ISTM 671 | Organizational Culture and Team Building | 3 |
| ISTM 672 | Information Systems Management | 3 |
| ISTM 673 | Analysis and Decisions | 3 |
| ISTM 674 | Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| ISTM 675 | IS Planning and Project Management | 3 |
| ISTM 676 | Information Systems Assurance and Security Management | 3 |
| ISTM 677 | Structuring Information for Decision Making | 3 |
| ISTM 678 | IS in the Digital Economy | 3 |
| ISTM 679 | Enterprise Information Systems | 3 |
| ISTM 691 | Topics in IT Management | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.
Contact
Brittany Gracik
gracikbm@vcu.edu
(804) 827-7427
Additional contact
Graduate Studies in Business
gsib@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622
Program website:business.vcu.edu/graduate-studies/executive-ms-in-is---it-management