Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MS-CIS)
David Alijani, Ph.D., AT&T Endowed Professorship; Chair
Office: 110 College of Business Building
Phone: (504) 286-5142/5141
Email: dalijani@suno.edu
Professors: David Alijani, Ph.D.
Associate Professor: Samuel Eweni, Ph.D.; Obyung Kwun, Ph.D.; Muhammed Miah, Ph.D.; Yanjun Yu, Ph.D.; Assistant Professors: Nabie Conteh, Ph.D.; Robert Elliot, Ph.D.
Vision
The Computer Information Systems Department provides education and a degree in Computer Information Systems that equip a predominantly urban student body, including those from the New Orleans metropolitan area, with knowledge and skills essential for careers in business and government, or for pursuing further studies.
Mission
The purpose of the Master of Science Program in Computer Information Systems (MS-CIS) is to integrate information technology with business management. The program is designed to provide students with a strong educational foundation thereby preparing them as Information Systems (IS) professionals. MS-CIS consists of a specially designed curriculum which emphasizes conceptual, analytical, technical, and interpersonal skills.
The MS-CIS program blends theory and practice into a learning experience that develops skills applicable to complex real-world problems. It is designed to give students a thorough knowledge of the field and to provide an enduring foundation for future professional growth. To be successful in the increasingly competitive global marketplace, most corporations are looking for employees that have comprehensive knowledge and training on aligning business management and the information systems function in ways consistent with organizational ethical principles. MS-CIS delivers exactly that. The CIS Department is housed in the College of Business and Public Administration (CBA), and has a mission that mirrors the aspirations of the business community.
The MS-CIS curriculum is designed to accommodate both individuals holding undergraduate information systems related degrees and other professionals who may have baccalaureate degrees.
Learning Goals and Objectives
Ethics: Student will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of ethics and its application in the decision-making process.
- Objective: Student is able to differentiate between what is ethical and what is unethical.
Communication: Student is able to apply effective communication skills in a professional environment.
- Oral Communication Objective: Student is able to prepare and deliver an effective business presentation.
- Written Communication Objective: Student is able to produce well-written documents.
Technology: Student is able to demonstrate technological proficiency and to manage information technology projects to develop information systems that support an organization’s needs.
- Objective A: Student is able to apply methodologies to develop a system that supports an organization’s needs.
- Objective B: Student is able to understand project management skills in support of organization’s needs.
All students admitted into the program are assigned to a primary graduate program advisor. The graduate program advisor provides counseling about prerequisite courses, foundation courses, and core course scheduling. Students also have access to other faculty members as secondary advisors. All students with non-business related degrees are required to complete a minimum of five undergraduate business foundation courses. Prerequisites and foundation courses can be completed at SUNO or elsewhere.
In order to accommodate part-time as well as full-time students, classes are held in the evening, weekends, and on-line. The MS-CIS Program is a commuter friendly program because all classes meet only once a week.
Specific Requirements
Applicants must submit either the GRE or the GMAT test scores for evaluation. Students interested in pursuing post-graduate study as well as those who have a high probability of job transfers which may interfere with their chance to complete the degree requirements at SUNO are strongly encouraged to take the GMAT. For admission into the MS-CIS Program, all applicants must provide the following: an acceptable GRE score (in some cases, a high GRE may be used to compensate for a low GPA) or an acceptable GMAT score. In addition, students need to provide a personal statement, three recommendation letters, and transcripts of previous course work. Students in the MS-CIS will be expected to complete 39 hours of CIS course work for graduation.
Foundation courses are for students who do not have at least 15 credit hours of core business courses in their earned undergraduate or graduate degrees. All classes in the MS-CIS Program require students to have a basic understanding of business processes. For example, students enrolled in the Systems Analysis course are expected to have some knowledge of a payroll system when they are asked to perform an analysis and design an updated system. Similarly, students enrolled in the Database Management course are expected to have some knowledge of supply chain systems when they are asked to develop the logical as well as physical schema to capture the needed data. All MS-CIS students should therefore have a working knowledge of the materials contained in the following set of business courses required for undergraduate CIS majors:
Foundation Courses
Note: Students are recommended to first complete the foundation courses before taking core courses.
Primary Courses (6 hours)
Management Approaches and Strategies (12 hours)
Technological Infrastructure (18 hours)
Electives (3 hours)
Total Credit Hours: 39
Curriculum in Computer Information Systems
First Year
Semester One
Semester Two
Second Year
Semester One
| CISP-633N | Applied Project Management | 3 |
| CISP-650N | Advanced Data Comm. Systems | 3 |
CISP-
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Two
Total Credit Hours: 39