Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 University Catalog 
    
2020-2021 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Information Systems, IS Management Concentration, M.S.


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Master of Science in Information Systems


(30 UNITS)

The Master of Science in Information Systems provides students with the technical skills and business acumen that are necessary for organizations to effectively manage and capitalize on their information assets. Broadly, the MSIS curriculum provides opportunities to develop knowledge and applied skills in the areas of information systems management, decision sciences and business analytics, all of which are highly valued by modern organizations. Students will be well prepared to meet the growing demand for analytics professionals who can work with and extract valuable insights from big data. Collectively, graduates from the program are able to perform a wide variety of job functions, including managing and capitalizing on new and existing technologies, aligning organizational strategies with technological strategies and using quantitative methods, data analysis and data visualization in order to inform and improve organizational decision-making.

Cal State Fullerton is the only university in Orange County accredited by the AACSB International at the undergraduate and graduate levels for both accounting and business administration.

Admission Requirements


Admission is competitive. Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions  section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, applicants will be evaluated based on the following:

  • Satisfactory grade point average (GPA) and a satisfactory score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Preferential admission will be given to applicants who have an overall GMAT or GRE score in the 50th percentile or above, and who have a GPA of at least 3.0
  • A bachelor’s degree with a major in business administration, equivalent to the degree as offered at CSUF. The degree must include calculus equivalent to passing MATH 135  with a “C” (2.0) or better. Students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than business administration are eligible to apply. However such students will be required to complete additional courses or demonstrate proficiency as described under the Curriculum requirements below. Courses in the major that are more than seven years old must be evaluated/validated for currency
  • For international students, a minimum score of 570 on the TOEFL exam or 88 on the internet based test (IBT) is required, or a minimum score of 7 on IELTS is required
  • Recommendation from the ISDS Admission Committee based upon a review of the above requirements, the student’s “Statement of Purpose” and prior work experience. Additional coursework may be required of conditionally admitted students who holistically satisfy the criteria but are weak in one of the above areas

Study Plan


An overall 3.0 (B) GPA is required in study plan courses and all applicable coursework. Any study plan course with a grade lower than “C” (2.0) must be repeated with at a “C” (2.0) or better.

Business Foundation Courses


Students admitted with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than business administration will be required to complete the following foundation courses. The foundation course requirements can be waived if students have previously completed equivalent courses.

Program Courses


At least 21 of the 30 units required for the Master of Science in Information Systems degree must be at the 500 level.

IS Management Concentration (12 units)


Information systems are the backbone of modern businesses. As the capabilities of information systems and technologies continue to grow, both management and functional business areas such as marketing, accounting and finance will increasingly rely on information systems to develop and maintain an organization’s strategic advantage. There is a high demand for individuals with knowledge and capabilities that lie at the intersection of business and modern information systems and technologies, and this demand is projected to continue growing for the foreseeable future. The Information Systems Management concentration allows students to capitalize on these opportunities by preparing them for careers requiring the ability to understand and use business intelligence systems, analyze organizational data and information technology needs, design, build and implement information systems and databases, and strategically manage information technology assets

Total (30 units)


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