Best Online Master’s Degrees in: Management Information Systems

Editor's Picks: Online Schools for Management Information Systems

Value
Drexel University wins best online management information systems master's degree program for value. Drexel University provides a 7.9% return on investment without financial aid, and a 9.1% return on investment with financial aid. Drexel is also ranked No. 6 among national universities in U.S. News & World Report's "Up-and-Coming Schools" list.

Flexibility
Colorado Technical University wins best online management information systems master's degree program for flexibility. Colorado Technical University's My Unique Student Experience (M.U.S.E.) provides a customizable online learning degree program, allowing students to read, watch, or listen through their education experience. Students have access to live interactive classes, archived class lessons, and student advising, as well as 24/7 technical support.

Career Support
Drexel University's LeBow Career Services provides online workshops, InterviewStream for interviewing skills practice, career search pages, and resume posting services. Drexel's Career Gateway provides resume assessment, career research, salary and relocation tools, and other services for career support. For providing these resources, Drexel University is awarded best online management information systems master's degree for career support.

Financial Support
Colorado Technical University provides 96% of its students with financial aid, according to the Online Education Database. Colorado Technical University also provides a net price calculator to calculate program costs and financial aid, process guides, and military benefits. Colorado Technical University wins best online master's degree program in management information systems for financial support.

Technology Support
U.S. News & World Report ranks the Florida Institute of Technology No. 16 in Top Online Business Programs and Top Online Engineering Programs for student services and technology. The Florida Institute of Technology provides live tutoring and both live streaming and recorded audio and video course delivery systems. The Florida Institute of Technology also provides a smartphone application, support for Apple, PC, Unix, and Linux, and online labs and simulations. The Florida Institute of Technology wins best online master's degree program in management information systems for technology support.

Disability Support
Northwestern University wins best online management information systems master's degree program for disability support. Northwestern University provides disability services to accommodate qualified students with a document disability, and will provide educational auxiliary aids, sign language interpreters, real-time captioners, note takers and tutors, and other necessary resources. Students may notify the School of Continuing Studies and the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities for the appropriate accommodations for online learning.

Library and Research Support
Northwestern University wins best online master's degree program in management information systems for library support. Northwestern University's library provides off campus access to most of the library's electronic resources through the Northwest University Online Passport. Northwest University may also contact the library online with any problems accessing online resources, or access library resources through Northwestern University's mobile app.

Learning Support
Northwestern University wins best online master's degree program in management information systems for learning support. Northwestern University's information systems program is designed to require three hours of synchronous or asynchronous learning activities, as well as interaction through live lectures, discussions, and presentations. Students may expect to spend 10 to 15 hours a week on each class. Northwestern University provides technical orientation to help prepare students for online learning, and maintains a class size of 10 to 25 students.

Faculty Credentials
Northwestern University's information systems program is taught by industry professionals led by an executive director with a doctorate in computer science and a master's degree in electrical engineering. The faculty has designed the courses to be completed within two to three years through team-based projects or independent work. For maintaining these standards for its instructors, Northwestern University wins best online management information systems master's degree program for faculty credentials.

Faculty Accessibility and Involvement
Florida Institute of Technology wins best online master's degree program in management information systems for faculty accessibility and involvement. Students may expect faculty response to course questions within 36 hours and at least an hour of instructor office hour per week. Faculty at Florida Information Technology also track student login, and courses may provide live tutoring.

Alumni Engagement
The Northwestern Alumni Association provides career networking, events, reunions, travel opportunities, local, national, and international clubs, an alumni directory, and multimedia all through the alumni website. The NAA lists upcoming trips on the online Trip Finder, network and mentoring programs through LinkedIn and Northwestern Online Tools, and club manuals and procedures. For giving alumni access to these perks, Northwestern University wins best online master's degree program in management information systems for alumni engagement.

New Online Student Orientation
Colorado Technical University's virtual campus tour, M.U.S.E Learning Platform tutorial, and Student Orientation and Academic Readiness (S.O.A.R.) initiative prepare students for beginning online learning. Colorado Technical University also provides FAQs for online programs and advisors for specific questions on what online learning at Colorado Technical University entails. Colorado Technical University wins best online master's degree program in management information systems for new online student orientation.

Explore a Master's Degree in Management Information Systems

Management information systems is the utilization of technology in helping organizations operate efficiently and effectively. An online master's degree in management information systems is a good option for students who want to pursue a career as an information technology manager. A graduate-level program typically requires the completion of 36 credit hours of course work, although the length of the program may vary depending on the institution as well as the number of previous graduate credits the student may have.

Class Curriculum

The curriculum of a management information systems graduate degree program is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge in management, technical and analytical principles. As such, many curriculums include a management information systems course, as well as classes in systems analysis and design, management of database systems, project management, and social and organizational issues. Read on for a closer look at three management information systems courses:

• Information & Technology Management. An information and technology management course covers a range of topics within the scope of management in a technological environment. This may include measuring a new technology's impact, business continuity planning, new technology convergence, and technology management that disrupts existing industry.
• Project Management. A project management course is relevant to all professions that include the planning, development, and implementation of projects. The class explores and defines project management techniques, identifying and managing stakeholders, project scope, work and schedule, risk management, business benefits, and project delivery techniques.
• Information Security. This course teaches students about the technical and administrative aspects of information security. This includes instruction in the key issues associated with protecting information, determining the necessary levels of protection, and designing a reliable information security system.

Students of a management information systems master's degree program need to complete reading assignments from academic text books, class discussions, lab assignments that test their ability to apply course material, and research projects. A large percentage of their grade may also be determined by how they perform on quizzes and exams.

Building a Career

A master's degree in management information systems may qualify an individual for a position as a computer and information systems manager at a computer systems design firm, financial and insurance company, other industries, and the government. Computer and information systems managers analyze their organizations computer needs and recommend upgrades, plan and direct installing and upgrading hardware, ensure the security of the organization's network, plan and direct the work of other information technology professionals, and more, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Someone with a master's degree in this field may be employed as a chief information officer (CIO), chief technology officer (CTO), IT security manager, or an IT director.

The median annual salary for a computer and information systems manager was $115,780, according to the BLS. Employment of these professionals is expected to increase 18% from 2010 to 2020, which is about as fast as average for all occupations. Computer and information systems managers will be in demand as more organizations are upgrading their technological infrastructure and networks. The BLS expects more growth will also come from the need to boost security in IT departments because of the increasing threat of cybercrime. However, keep in mind that these statistics are no guarantee of salary of job availability, which is determined by the condition of the economy, location, and organization.