Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology

Program Description/Overview

The MS in Information Systems and Technology (MS-IST) Program is a graduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related program in the California School of Management and Leadership’s (CSML). The program focuses on the design, analysis, and applications of information systems and the technology behind them, as solutions to business needs. The program includes instruction in the principles of computing systems and their hardware and software components, including, networking, cybersecurity, databases, telecommunications, and human interface design. 

The program is designed to assist students in gaining an in-depth understanding and mastery of the appropriate STEM skills set required to successfully design, engineer, create, implement, maintain, and manage an effective Information Systems and Technology infrastructure. Graduates of this program will be able to build, and employ information and computing technologies to harness the potential benefit of today’s powerful information technology systems to support the overall visions, missions, goals, and objectives for the organizations in which they are employed.

The overall goal of the program is to provide the student with a broad-based introduction to the concepts, methods, and tools utilized by a Systems Analyst, Systems Engineers, Programmers, and Systems Administrators, and gain a professional mastery of these technological arts and skills. The tools these graduates will master will be used to effectively, efficiently, and economically design, build and maintain information systems’ technology, and assist in the successful management of the processes required to support the organizations goals and objectives. 

This program is a graduate academic degree program which is geared to graduating students in a job-ready state. The courses in the MSIST curriculum have been designed to give students the skills required to excel in careers in the data and analytics arena in a wide range of industries. The program has been designed with the additional advantage to students of encouraging them to prepare and successfully test for industry recognized and sought-after certifications (e.g., MCSA’s SQL Database Development). Students will be introduced to certifications’ requirements and encouraged to apply to and successfully pass their exams. The tests are external to Alliant and administered by independent referent disciplines. Most job postings in the subject area require one or more of these certifications.

Specific courses in the curriculum of the MSIST program are aligned with appropriate certifications. In addition to discussing the requirements of the externally administered certifications, selective material will be covered in the classroom to encourage and guide the student for the certification test. The main preparation for the certification exam will require self-study and self-preparation by the students. The aim is to encourage students to strengthen their resumes with a graduate MSIST degree as well as industry relevant certifications which together make them a strong candidate with a competitive advantage.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts and principles in information systems and technology
2. Students will practice and apply professional IS&T knowledge and skills in the context of the workplace
3. Students will demonstrate competency in designing, engineering, creating, implementing, maintaining, and managing an effective Information Systems and Technology infrastructure. 
4. Students will demonstrate successful and ethical management of the processes required to support the organizations’ goals and objectives. 
5. Students will demonstrate skills to work well in international and multicultural teams.

Internship, Practicum, and/or Dissertation information

Students are required to participate in the internship series as part of their experiential learning within the program. The internship is designed to develop professional practice related skills in student’s program expertise through a variety of work experiences which could involve independently conducted professional projects or an internship. This is designed to provide students with in-depth, supervised practical learning experiences. The internship required may be prior to one academic year in the program. As a result, international students completing the internship series prior to one (1) academic year should contact the International Students Office for details and specialized requirements.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 33

Total Core Credit Units: 33

Total Elective Credit Units: N/A

Total Concentration Credit Units: N/A

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite course is listed below:

• DAT50000 - Essentials of Informatics Using Python (3 units)  

Curriculum Plan

The following curriculum plan is a sample and serves only as a general guide. Curriculum plans and course sequence are subject to variation depending on a student’s start term. Students must complete all coursework required for their program as set forth in their individual master plan of study.