Degrees and Requirements
Master of Science in Information Systems
Information Systems (MS), a program in the Business Group is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a leading specialized accreditation association for business education.
The Master of Science in Information Systems program at La Roche University prepares students for the organizational and technological challenges in design, application, implementation, and management of information systems. Designed as a flexible program model, IS students of varying knowledge levels, abilities, and diverse backgrounds will be provided with a strong foundational basis applicable across multiple industries and career paths. Critical thinking will be emphasized through case study analysis and project management implementation. Students will be expected to develop competencies in five main areas:
- Integrated technical expertise
- Project management, change management, and best practices in information systems development implementation and management
- Ethical business practices and governance of information
- Professional delivery of oral and written communication
- Development of Information Systems strategies within the context of organizational goals and objectives
To successfully complete the Master of Science in Information Systems, the following coursework is required:
- 4 Undergraduate prerequisites as listed below
- 27 Credits under Core Requirements
- 3 Elective Credits
UNDERGRADUATE PREREQUISITES
Satisfactory completion (grade of “C” or better) of four undergraduate prerequisites that must be completed within the first three semesters of graduate study. These include:
1. Programming in Java; LRU course – ISTC3034, or transfer equivalent, or work experience
2. Database Management Systems; LRU course– ISTC2045 or ISTC3046, or transfer equivalent, or work experience
3. Management of Information Systems; LRU course – ISTC2021, or transfer equivalent, or work experience
4. Systems Analysis and Design; LRU course – ISTC4042, or transfer equivalent, or work experience
Summary of Requirements
Core Requirements: 27 Credits
ISTG5010
CYBER SECURITY AND DISASTER
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course focuses on the need for businesses and individuals to protect their information assets. In an era where every device is connected to the internet, cybersecurity and privacy are more critical than ever. Topics include the need for businesses to protect the integrity of their data and proprietary information. Additionally, the risk assessment process and techniques utilized to mitigate risk are discussed in detail.
ISTG5015
SOCIAL COMPUTING SYSTEMS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
The uses of social computing systems have significantly impacted the ways businesses and individuals function and communicate. This course examines the types of social computing systems including social media and collaborative information systems within the context of the business enterprise. The use of these systems for effective decisions making and strategic thinking will be examined in detail.
ISTG5020
CLOUD COMPUTING AND CLIENT
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides a comprehensive look at cloud computing by focusing on the cloud service models of Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Business Processes as a Service (BPaaS). Cloud computing allows both small and large organizations to dynamically scale their computing resources. The implications of cloud computing on corporate IT infrastructure, collaboration, security, and privacy will be discussed.
ISTG5025
LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides coverage of legal and ethical issues pertaining to the management, governance, and use of information systems. Intellectual property, copyright, privacy, digital access and rights are just a few of the topics included. Ethical decision making within an Information Systems environment will be addressed through the case study approach.
ISTG6010
OBJECT ORIENTED SYSTEMS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
PREREQUISITE: ISTC3034 This course incorporates the use of object oriented programming languages such as Python and Java to develop solutions based on organizational needs assessments. Effective analysis will result in the subsequent design of object oriented solutions. Prereq: ISTC3034 Programming in Java, or transfer equivalent or work experience.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students Only & ISTC3034 or Exam PRJV
ISTG6015
DATA MINING, DATA ANALYTICS AND
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
PREREQUISITE: ISTC2045 This course focuses on the collection, analysis, and utilization of data. Because of the size and complexity of the data, tools for statistical analysis will be utilized. Topics include modeling, key performance indicator identification, and data visualization. Use of data analytics for strategic decision making and actionable insights across the organization will be discussed. Statistical software such as SPSS or SAS and web analytical tools such as Google Analytics may be incorporated as well as the R programming language, a tool for statistics, visualization, and data science. Prereq: ISTC2045 Data Base Mgmt Systems or ISTC3046 Advanced Data Base Mgmt Systems, or transfer equivalent or work experience.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students Only & ISTC2045 or Exam PRDB
ISTG6020
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
PREREQUISITE: ISTC2021 Organizations must recognize the need to manage Information Systems as a strategic resource. This course will explore the need for corporate vision within the technological environment. It focuses on information system integration and the strategic challenges of the digital world as well as an organization's core competencies, competitive strategies and information systems strategies. Policies and procedures concerning the implementation of information systems are also discussed. Approaches to the effective management of information systems are analyzed using the case study methodology. Prereq: ISTC2021 Management of Information Systems, or transfer equivalent or work experience.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students only & ISTC2021 or Exam PRMI
ISTG6025
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
PREREQUISITE: ISTC4042 Analysis of the major components of project management is the focus of this course. The requirements of managing projects locally and across the globe are considered. This course focuses on the organization's need to organize, plan and control projects and their associated costs and resources. Change management as an integral part of the changing dynamic within information systems will be discussed in detail. Topics include the project management life cycle; initiating the project, stakeholder analysis, project roles and responsibilities, planning, controlling, organizational styles and managing expectations. This is a project based course in that students will be required to use the appropriate tools to actively organize and manage a project. Prereq: ISTC4042 Systems Analysis & Design or transfer equivalent or work experience.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students Only & ISTC4042 or Exam PRSA
ISTG6050
MSIS CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This capstone experience is meant to provide a synthesizing experience for students. In consultation with a faculty advisor and based on academic and career goals, students will develop a comprehensive applied project, write a comprehensive thesis or take part in a graduate level internship experience. This course will culminate in a final professional presentation.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students Only
MIS Major Electives: 3 credits
HRMT5020
ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to provide the student with the background and skills to augment the student's managerial effectiveness. The course emphasizes theories of micro- meso- and macro-organizational behavior as they relate to the workplace. Human Resource topics include motivation and individual behavior, interpersonal and group behavior, job satisfaction, work stress, leadership, organizational structures and culture.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students Only
ISTG6030
ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course focuses on the integration and implementation of enterprise information systems. From Customer Relationship Management, Supply Chain Management and Knowledge Management to Business Process Reengineering, the challenges of enterprise wide evaluation and implementation are discussed and analyzed. This course focuses on the technical and managerial aspects of enterprise information systems including Enterprise Resource Planning. Business Process Reengineering is the basis for evaluation of the enterprise wide system requirements and includes the planning, designing, implementing and controlling. Major competitors in the ERP domain will be discussed in detail.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students Only & ISTC2021 or Exam PRMI