Information Systems Management (BIS)
School, work, government, news, communication, shopping, research, entertainment, personal relationships and more have all been radically transformed by our ability to manipulate and move electronic bits at nearly the speed of light.
Those who choose to avoid Technology cannot remain unaffected without much effort and inconvenience. For individuals pursuing a career in business, either as a consumer or provider (or both) of information services, understanding how Technology is designed, developed and applied in constructing Information Systems (IS) is especially critical.
There is no escaping the impact of IS, and those who learn to effectively manage and shape it to meet the needs of organizations will be in high demand well into the future.
Digital disruption continues to impact how organizations operate and deliver value to their customers. While this disruption creates opportunities for new business models and value-added services for companies, it creates employment opportunities for IS professionals well-trained in foundational concepts which have demonstrated their knowledge working on "real world" projects.
The Bachelor's of Information Systems degree program offered by the School of Continuing Studies gives its students a foundation relevant to the evolving technologies of the marketplace combined with team-based, practical project work that addresses a wide range of current issues. It combines traditional IS disciplines such as systems architecture, business process engineering, analysis and design, software development and business intelligence with emergent technologies like cloud services, virtual computing, mobile technology, social media and the "next big thing" yet to come.
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Candidates for this program must have a working knowledge of computers and their applications and be proficient in communication and productivity tools such as e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software. In addition, students must be comfortable with employing various new and emerging tools on the web to identify and cultivate valuable sources of information for independent research activities. While approximately 20% of the curriculum will involve computer programming, prior experience in a programming language, although helpful, is not an absolute requirement. Predictors of success during this hands-on portion of the program include a propensity for logical thinking, technical curiosity, personal initiative and methodical persistence in working toward a correct solution.
As this program aims to prepare students for careers in areas such as information systems management, systems analysis and project management, those with solid problem-solving, analytical and communication skills will be ideal candidates. A minimum of five years of work experience and two years of college coursework are typically required. Interviews are necessary for admission.
Learning Outcomes
Curriculum Road Map - Information Systems Management
Upon graduating from Muhlenberg College, students in the Accelerated Information Systems Management program will be able to:
- Demonstrate written and oral communication skills appropriate for business situations.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make sound decisions in the business environment.
- Recognize the ethical and corporate social responsibilities of organizations.
- Operate effectively when in teams both as a leader and as a member.
- Analyze a problem and identify and define the people, process and technology requirements appropriate to its solution.
- Design and implement information systems solutions that align and support the strategic and tactical goals of the organization.
- Institute a process-oriented approach to managing information systems run-state operations and solution life-cycle planning.
- Initiate informed information systems decisions based on an understanding of the broader environmental forces at play including operational risk, global impact, regulatory issues, social responsibility and ethics.
Review the Accelerated Bachelor's of Information Systems for course description information.
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For some students, this is a great way to earn a needed degree while they work toward a bachelor's degree. For others, an associate's degree provides the focused, two-year experience necessary to succeed. No matter what your plans, our academic advisors are always there to help you chart your course of study.