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. 

Practical Training Throughout the Program: Practical training is an integral part of the California School of Management Leadership (CSML) programs and aligns with the academic goals and learning outcomes for each program. CSML graduate programs at Alliant International University require practical training from the first term until graduation.

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.

The California School of Management Leadership (CSML) graduate programs at Alliant International University require practical training from the first term until graduation.

Students in the ground program are required to participate in curricular practical training as part of their experiential learning throughout the program. Practical training is intended to develop professional and applied practice related skills and expertise in the student’s program through a variety of work and learning experiences which could involve supervised practical training and/or applied client projects. This is intended for students to gain in-depth, supervised practical learning experiences. This is required throughout the academic program from start on Day 1 to program completion.

Domestic students can contact the CSML Professional Development (CPD) Coordinator directly for guidance. International students must apply for authorization for Curricular Practical Training to the Designated School Official (DSO) and schedule an appointment at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the Curricular Practical Training. Please email ISSO@alliant.edu to schedule an appointment. Note that an international students may begin curricular practical training ONLY after receiving their Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement. To be considered Curricular Practical Training, the work must be related to your major field of study. Please view CSML CPT Application Process for International Students  for application information.

Emphasis/Concentration/Tracks

Fast Track Program

Students who are in good academic standing (3.0 GPA) are eligible to participate in the Fast Track program for the DBA program. Students whose GPA is lower than 3.0 and interested in the Fast Track option will be interviewed by the PD.

MSDA students who are interested in the Fast Track opportunity to doctoral programs will write an application essay which will be evaluated by a faculty committee. Those students who are approved by the committee will be allowed to take Fast Track courses.

In the Fast Track program, MSIST students can take up to 9 units of doctoral level bridge courses from Alliant’s Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program. If students complete the bridge courses with a B or above grade, they can transfer these courses into these doctoral programs if they enroll in them at Alliant International University upon completing their MSIST program.

The following Fast Track is available for this program:

1. DBA

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

Practical Training 

Alliant is approved to offer practical training throughout the CSML program curriculum to domestic as well as international students. Practical training is defined as an approved work experience which is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly related to the student’s major area of study. This schedule is repeated throughout the entire program. Practical training can be part-time (less than 20 hours a week) or full-time (more than 20 hours a week), paid or unpaid. International students should see guidelines from the International Office regarding details of FT and PT practical training (see Curricular Practical Training section).  

Approval of practical training sites: Program Director or Faculty Internship/Project Coordinator will have final approval, which is required each term. Detailed procedures for approval of a practical training site and the training details will be provided by the program. International students will meet the International Office and the PDSO for guidance and approval. 

Class schedule: For each course, students attend ground classes on weekdays per the published schedule for the courses. Each course duration is 8 weeks. 

Students in the ground program are required to participate in curricular practical training as part of their experiential learning throughout the program starting on Day 1.  

A student will have eight weeks (one term) to secure a practical training/internship site once they start their selected program. Students who do not have practical training/internship by the end of their first term will be placed in a project by the school’s practical training coordinator. If a student loses their practical training at any point during their program, they must notify the practical training coordinator immediately. They will have a maximum of 4 weeks to get a new practical training site or to be assigned to a CSML professional development client project. Students are required to be involved in an internship or a project throughout the program from start on Day 1 to program completion. 

In practical training courses students will be engaged in developing professional and applied practice related skills and expertise per the student’s program learning objectives. This is achieved through a variety of work and learning experiences which could involve supervised practical training and/or applied projects and/or client projects.  

CSML’s Career and Professional Development (CPD) plan and infrastructure: Goals: 

Practical training courses are part of CSML’s Career and Professional Development (CPD) plan and infrastructure. Its goals are the following: 

1. To enable students to gain their real-world experiences before graduation, CPD aims to assist them in developing and polishing their resumes and cover letters while also equipping them with application of a discipline-specific body of knowledge and encouraging continuous learning in their chosen field of study. 
2. To provide students with opportunities to participate in real-world application, consulting and research projects, including business development, professional development, applications in minority-owned businesses and humanitarian causes, while also emphasizing the importance of multicultural/international competence and promoting team-based and multidisciplinary approaches. This approach ensures that students develop a well-rounded set of skills, including cultural sensitivity and the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams, which are essential in today’s global and interconnected workplace. 
3. To provide students with support, resources, and opportunities to develop their professional literacy and communication skills, including written and verbal communication, presentation skills, and interpersonal skills. This will help students effectively communicate their knowledge, skills, and experiences to potential employers, colleagues, and clients. 
4. To encourage students to engage in application, research, and learning / scholarship opportunities independently to enhance their knowledge and skills. CPD achieves this goal by providing students with resources, guidance, and support. 
5. To take a holistic approach that directs, equips, and empowers students to take control of their future selves by providing resources, accountability, and motivation to remove ambiguity and replace it with confidence and inspiration, while also fostering conduct, judgment, dispositions, and ethics. This approach ensures that students develop not only the skills and knowledge necessary for success but also the ethical values and personal qualities needed to make sound decisions and contribute positively to society. 
6. To offer students real opportunities, inspirational instructors, and authentic practical experiences that can make a real difference in the world, while also helping students build their resumes and set them apart in the job market. 

It is the student’s responsibility to find practical training opportunities, however the CSML Practical Training Coordinator will support students in providing practical training opportunities. 

International students should meet the International Student Office (ISSO) and the Designated School Official (DSO) for guidance and approval to start their practical training. International students must apply for authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to the DSO and schedule an appointment at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Day 1 CPT. Please email ISSO@alliant.edu to schedule an appointment. Note that international students may begin curricular practical training ONLY after receiving their Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement. To be considered for Curricular Practical Training, the work must be related to your current field of study in your program at CSML. Please view CSML CPT Application Process for International Students  for application information. 

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 33

Total Core Credit Units: 24

Total Elective Credit Units: N/A

Total Concentration Credit Units: 9

Degree Requirements

In addition to classroom instruction, all students in the on-ground program are required to get practical training experience in an approved setting for a minimum of 45 hours in every academic term throughout the program.

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite course is listed below:

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

Emphasis/Concentration/Track Requirements

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.