Information systems help organizations make the most of data. These integrated resources provide streamlined access to vast information, helping businesses uncover actionable insights. They also ensure clear communication of this information to stakeholders, clients, or customers.
Unfortunately, while these systems strive to simplify the complications of a data-driven world, they can create complications of their own. This is where strong IS professionals prove invaluable, ensuring that information systems live up to their full potential. This field shows a great deal of promise, especially as organizations seek reliable strategies for dealing with an ever-increasing amount of data. Skill gaps are abundant, however, and aspiring IS professionals need to prepare for a fast-paced and highly complex field.
There are many pathways available to aspiring information systems professionals, and no one college program is ideal in every situation. That said, for those hoping to shape the field and move into management opportunities, few programs are as promising as the information systems MBA.
To reveal what this program involves and why it’s such an excellent option for the information systems leaders of tomorrow, we will explain, what is a computer information systems degree, and why is the master’s in information systems so valuable?
Why Choose an Information Systems MBA?
The Information Systems MBA is a graduate-level program, designed to integrate technical competencies into a master’s program that otherwise emphasizes management skills such as accounting, finance, and marketing. This program helps future information systems leaders build a strong skill set, blending technical expertise with management skills. It also offers practical experience and graduate-level credentials that are highly respected by employers and the public.
Key Business Management Skills in an Information Systems Master’s
Some aspiring tech professionals struggle to choose the right academic pathways. These difficulties are understandable as many degrees promise to prepare students for a dizzying array of career opportunities. These often share similar names or curricula.
Master of Science programs, for example, encourage students to take a deep dive into the technical aspects of information systems, preparing students for data-driven roles such as systems analyst, data scientist, or cloud solutions architect. Meanwhile, the MBA in Information Systems touches on some technical concepts while also offering a broader overview of management fundamentals.
While navigating these and other options, potential students might wonder, is information systems an engineering degree? The answer is technically no, but with some caveats. There can be significant overlap between IS and engineering programs, with both promoting technical skill development.
The main difference lies in the emphasis on business management skills. While IS students explore system analysis and database design, this program also reveals how to leverage technical competencies while engaging in impactful decision-making processes. Therein lies the importance of exploring business management concepts, which are covered in detail through challenging (but fascinating) MBA coursework:
Strategic Management
While new technologies can be exciting, they must be aligned with organizational objectives, otherwise, they will not deliver a strong return on investment. Strategic management ensures that the use of technology supports the vision and central goals of the organization in question. Strategic management also plays into resource allocation, ensuring that major investments in software or hardware produce the best possible gains in performance while keeping associated expenses reasonable.
As a top component of the MBA curriculum, strategic management is addressed through multiple courses but is especially central to the capstone experience, which encourages students to exercise strategic thinking while participating in decision-making business simulations. Integrating strategic management with technical concepts, IS-specific courses such as Management Information Systems help students understand how information technology can be leveraged to provide a competitive advantage.
Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Information systems managers help form a compelling vision of how technologies will be applied within various organizations, and they are also tasked with bringing this vision to life. This is where well-developed leadership skills and a holistic understanding of organizational behavior can come into play. Information systems MBA programs explore human behavior management to reveal how individuals are aligned within organizations. Experiential learning encourages students to put leadership theories and concepts into action.
Financial Management for IT Projects
IT expenses can escalate rapidly, and without strong financial management, necessary expenditures are likely, along with resource waste. Therein lies the importance of financial management for IS professionals. Specialized courses in IS project management focus on practical financial strategies for information systems implementation. Core courses in financial management and accounting cover widely applicable skills like variance analysis and capital budgeting.
Business Communication and Negotiation
Promoting effective collaboration while breaking down silos, strong business communication is crucial for improving understanding among stakeholders and even for fostering innovation. Through simulations, students can explore the nuances of business communication and determine which styles are most impactful in various settings or situations.
Technical Skills You’ll Master in the IS MBA
The IS MBA is a highly technical program, offering valuable exposure to cutting-edge concepts from the exciting world of data analytics. This program not only helps students develop high-level technical skills, but it also ensures that future leaders can integrate technical and management competencies. Skills acquired while pursuing a master’s in information systems online include:
Information Systems and Technology Management
Tailored courses on database design and systems analysis help aspiring IS professionals learn to develop and manage a range of technologies within organizations. Drawing on real-world examples, these courses equip students with the practical tools and competencies needed to bring IS visions to life.
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
Data analytics play a powerful role in shaping the modern use of technologies in business environments. However, data-driven strategies can be difficult to grasp if professionals fail to develop a strong foundation in descriptive and inferential statistics. These competencies play a huge role in core MBA coursework, with students learning how to analyze and interpret a wealth of data.
Cybersecurity and Risk Management
Addressed through IS-focused project management coursework, risk management ensures that the potential risks of implementing IS upgrades are known and properly addressed or mitigated. In addition to highlighting risk management processes and strategies, information systems MBA programs increasingly delve into cybersecurity, especially as it relates to database design.
Cloud Computing and IT Infrastructure
Today’s organizations rely on remote servers to store and process data, with the cloud ensuring access to IT resources on demand. Given the ubiquitous nature of modern cloud computing, information systems professionals should possess a thorough understanding of cloud architecture and platforms. Insights into virtualization technologies can also be helpful, as can a basic familiarity with tools necessary for automating infrastructure provisioning.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
ERP systems encourage businesses to streamline or even automate core operational functions, ranging from manufacturing and the supply chain to HR. MBA curricula can introduce students to these systems and their implications for change management. Hands-on learning experiences such as simulations may reflect ERP environments or actively leverage top ERP tools and technologies.
Data and Business Analytics Skills with an MBA in Information Systems
We have touched briefly on the value of data-driven strategies in information systems, but these are increasingly prioritized within many MBA specializations. In addition to covering basic data analytics competencies, IS MBA programs may also encourage students to apply skills such as:
Advanced Data Analytics
Meant to extract deeper insights, advanced data analytics draw on sophisticated algorithms to highlight key patterns. Predictive analytics are especially important because they allow businesses to forecast trends and make informed decisions that can lead to increased profitability. The field increasingly relies on machine learning as well, with advanced algorithms helping to predict system failures while also optimizing workflows.
Business Process Optimization
Relying on advanced technologies (such as cutting-edge automation solutions) to boost efficiency within critical business processes, BPO can play a powerful role in reducing operational expenses and improving adaptability. With information systems, this involves aligning IT solutions with overarching business objectives. This often begins with process mapping but also encompasses workflow optimization and system integration.
Soft Skills and Leadership in Information Systems
These days, even highly technical positions call for well-developed soft skills, which determine how professionals solve complex problems and how they relate to team members, executives, or other stakeholders. To that end, the MBA in Information Systems offers many opportunities to cultivate these in-demand skills:
Team Leadership and Management
Leadership opportunities abound within IS management, with senior-level professionals working closely with executives while also supervising data analysts, network administrators, and many other technical employees. A detailed understanding of organizational behavior can help IS leaders drive innovation by promoting an engaging and highly collaborative work environment. Insights into employee development and performance appraisal can also be helpful for aspiring IS managers.
Change Management
The pace of change is accelerating within the rapidly evolving world of information systems. Innovation can be expected, but change management brings a structured approach to this process, limiting disruptions or waste. When done correctly, this can improve adoption and employee morale. MBA programs address many facets of change management, offering organizational behavior insights to help future leaders guide IS professionals and other team members through times of transition.
Project Management
Due to the dynamic nature of technological innovation, information systems increasingly relies on a project-oriented approach. As such, it is increasingly important for aspiring IS professionals to explore the complications of project management, including resource allocation and risk management. These are priorities within MBA curricula, which also cover project scoping and scheduling.
Gain the Skills You Need with a Master’s in Information Systems at Baker
An MBA in Information Systems can prepare you for a bright future in one of today’s fastest-growing and most promising fields. If you are committed to developing technical competencies but also envision yourself in a leadership role, you could benefit greatly from pursuing your master’s in information systems online.
At Baker College, we are thrilled to provide a dynamic and highly engaging MBA program that integrates technical and management concepts to great effect. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the modern business environment while also developing core information systems skills. Reach out today to learn more about this unique opportunity and get on the path to an exciting career in information systems.