Mar 28, 2024  
2019-20 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-20 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Information Systems, Information Security and Assurance Concentration, M.S.


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Nita Brooks, Program Director
615-904-8177
Nita.Brooks@mtsu.edu

The Information Systems and Analytics  department offers the Master of Science in Information Systems with concentrations in Information Security and Assurance, IT Project Management, General Information Systems, and Business Intelligence and Analytics. Core and elective classes may also be combined to form a strong foundation in database-related topics. The department also offers courses for the Master of Business Administration degree and a minor in Information Systems for students seeking a master’s degree other than the M.B.A.

The graduate program director serves as advisor for students majoring in Information Systems. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the graduate program director or the department to discuss the program.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


For admission to the M.S. program:

The GMAT or GRE exam is required; however, the GMAT is preferred. Applicants with at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA from an AACSB international school of business or a 3.7 undergraduate GPA are exempt from the exam requirement.

Admission without exception requires an index score of at least 950, or at least 1000 if calculated using upper-division courses only, as calculated by 200 x undergraduate GPA plus GMAT score, or GRE score converted to GMAT score using tools provided by ETS (Educational Testing Services). Limited exceptions to the index score requirement may be granted at the discretion of the program coordinator in consultation with the department chair.

Foundation Courses


The business prerequisites for a student seeking an M.S. in Information Systems are similar to those required for the M.B.A. and include:

A recent graduate of an AACSB-accredited program would normally possess an adequate background in the business prerequisites.

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

  1. submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
  2. submit official GMAT scores;
  3. submit official transcripts showing a GPA in previous academic work.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Science in Information Systems with a concentration in Information Security and Assurance requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours. INFS 6980  must be passed with a grade of B- or higher with a maximum enrollment of two times.The degree is to be completed within six years from the time of admission to the degree program. 

Curriculum: Information Systems, Information Security and Assurance


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.

Required Courses (12 hours)


Electives (9 hours)


  • Three hours of approved courses at the 6000 level
  • Six hours of approved courses at the 5000 or 6000 level

If a student does not have INFS 4790 or INFS 5790 or equivalent, then one of the electives must be INFS 5790.

Choose from:

Program Notes


No more than two (2) 5000-level classes may be taken as part of the degree program.

Students planning to graduate in the minimum amount of time, including summer attendance, should plan their programs carefully in order to meet course sequencing and scheduling constraints. The program director can provide scheduling assistance.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis to qualified students.

No foreign language or thesis is required in the program.

INFS 6750  may not be taken to satisfy either a required or elective course in the program.

Students without an undergraduate degree in information systems or demonstrable professional experience in the discipline are required to complete the additional prerequisites of INFS 2600, INFS 3800 (or INFS 6000), and INFS 4790 (or INFS 5790 ). INFS 5790  may be taken for credit toward the graduate degree. Students without formal training or experience in IT may be encouraged to take some additional INFS courses. A portion of these requirements may be satisfied in conjunction with the student’s graduate studies.

Candidate must

  1. file a degree plan with the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;
  2. file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.

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