Masters of Business Administration

Masters of Science in Information Systems & Technology Management

 (MBA/MS in IS&TM) Dual Degree Proposal

 

Part I. Program History

 

The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has since 1954 offered the Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree.  In 2000-2001 a proposal was developed to deliver a Master in Science degree in Information Systems & Technology Management.  The MS in IS&TM was developed after discussions with business advisors, a survey of IS programs at other Universities, and a series of focus group sessions with business representatives in the area. That proposal was approved by the University Faculty Senate on December 1, 2001.  The program became operational in the fall of 2002 with a class of 8 students. A second class of 15 was admitted during the fall of 2003. The current projection is that we will graduate 6 students in the spring of 2004 and approximately 12 in the spring of 2005.

 

The purpose of the MBA/MS in IS&TM program is to provide graduates with the general business breadth of knowledge of the MBA degree program with the depth of information technology knowledge of the MS in IS&TM. The MBA/MS in IS&TM program is designed to be a 60 credit hour program and students may pursue either a full-time or part-time course of study. Graduates of the program will be well positioned for a career in information technology management. This program is jointly administered by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics Graduate and Executive Programs office and the Department of Accounting & MIS.

 

Part II. Admission

 

Students desiring to pursue the joint MBA/MS in IS&TM must apply directly to the degree program and must meet the admissions requirements of both the MBA and MS in IS&TM programs (See the University catalog for those requirements).   The admissions directors for each program will evaluate the application separately and will apply the same criteria as specified in their respective programs.  The prospective student is encouraged to see the admissions policies for both programs in the graduate catalog.  Whereas the MS in IS&TM program accepts both the GMAT and GRE exams, scores for the GMAT will be accepted by both programs.  Applications by way of the Web are encouraged by the Office of Graduate Studies and transcripts and letters of recommendation are to be submitted to:

 

Office of Graduate Studies

234 Hullihen Hall

University of Delaware.

Newark, Delaware 19716.

 

 

 

The MBA/MS in IS&TM is a joint degree program.  As such, the joint programs must be completed and the dual degree is conferred simultaneously.  Students admitted to the MBA/MS in IS&TM joint degree program who later decide they only want to complete one of the degrees must apply separately to the desired program for admission as a candidate in that program.  Students who complete the single degree (MBA or MS in IS&TM) may not at a later date be admitted to the dual degree program.  In such case the student would be required to complete all requirements for the second degree.  A student who is initially admitted to either degree and who decides to pursue the dual degree must apply for admission to the dual degree prior to receiving the first degree and must complete the requirements for the dual degree prior to any degree being granted.

 

Admission to the MBA/MS in IS&TM program is highly selective and is based upon a combination of professional work experience, prior academic grades, Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, letters of recommendation, and an interview.  Please refer to the "Graduate Admissions" chapter in this catalog.  Applicants are required to send a copy of their recent resume along with the completed application.  Two letters of recommendation should be sent to the Director of Recruitment & Admissions, Graduate & Executive Programs.  Students in the MBA/MS in IS&TM program are admitted for initial enrollment in either the fall (September) or spring (February) semester.  Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year.  To expedite consideration for admission, applications should be submitted by February 1 for full-time applicants seeking financial aid, May 1 for applicants seeking fall admission (including Executive MBA applicants), and November 1 for applicants seeking spring admission.  Admission decisions may be made after these dates if space is still available; however, students are strongly encouraged to apply early.

           

Part III.  Academic

 

The MBA/MS in IS&TM combines the core and advanced courses of the MBA program with the required courses of the MS in IS&TM.  Candidates for the MBA/MS in IS&TM degree must complete a total of 60 credit hours, divided into core courses (15 hours), advanced core (21 hours), and other required courses (24 hours).  Full-time students should be able to complete the program in 24 months including courses during the winter and summer terms.  Part-time students normally take from three to four years to earn their degrees. 

 

 

 

Core Courses (15 hours):

 

MBA courses:

ACCT 800:   Financial Reporting and Analysis                                               (3 credits)

BUAD 820:   Data Analysis and Quality Control                                            (3 credits)

BUAD 870:   Managing Human Capital                                                         (3 credits)

ECON 503:  Economic Analysis for Business Policy                                      (3 credits)

 

IS&TM courses:

BUEC 865:   Accounting in an IT Environment                                        (1 credit)

            BUEC 865:   Programming I – Object Oriented                                           (2 credits)

 

The students in the MBA/MS in IS&TM programs (part-time and full-time) may waive up to 12 credit hours of the above core course list based on the completion of applicable courses and demonstration of knowledge and background in the area. Waivers will be determined based on interviews and evaluation of student knowledge.

 

Advanced Core Courses (21 hours):

 

MBA courses:

BUAD 831:   Operations Management & Management Science                     (3 credits)

BUAD 880:   Marketing Management                                                            (3 credits)

FINC 850:    Financial Management                                                              (3 credits)

 

IS&TM courses:

ACCT 803:   Systems Analysis & Implementation                                          (3 credits)

ACCT 804:   Data Management                                                                    (3 credits)

BUEC 810:   Telecom & Networks I (cross-listed CPEG 810)                     (3 credits)

            BUEC 830:   Decision Support & Analysis                                                  (3 credits)

 

Other Required Courses (24 hours):

 

MBA courses:

ACCT 801:   Management Control Systems& Information Technology          (3 credits)

BUAD 840:   Current & Critical Issues in Ethics, the Domestic &                   (3 credits)

                     Global Business Environment

BUAD 890:   Corporate Strategy                                                                  (3 credits)

 

IS&TM courses:

BUAD 873:   Managing in an IT Environment                                                 (3 credits)

BUEC 811:   Telecom & Networks II (cross-listed CPEG 811)                    (3 credits)

BUEC 840:   Project Management & Costing                                                (3 credits)

BUEC 850:   Security & Control                                                                   (3 credits)

BUEC 870:   Strategic IT Management                                                         (2 credits)

BUEC 871:   Strategic IT Seminars                                                               (1 credits)

 

Students may apply for the MBA/MS in IS&TM on either a part-time or full-time basis.  Full-time students are expected to complete the program in two years.  Part-time students are expected to complete the program in approximately four years.

 

Transfers of coursework earned elsewhere, and waivers of courses are allowable under the same provisions as the MBA and MS in IS&TM programs separately except that none of the coursework specific to the MS program may be waived on the basis of undergraduate coursework.  Dual degree students must complete a minimum of 60 credits of coursework at the graduate level. Students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment in every regular semester (fall and spring) throughout their program.  

 

Part IV.    Financial aid

Students in the MBA/MS in IS&TM program may compete for the same sources of financial assistance as available to MBA or MS students.  See the MBA program policy statements for specifics.  The same criteria for financial assistance apply.  Financial assistance may come from either the MBA or MS programs.  To apply for a financial aid package, simply check the appropriate box(es) on the graduate application.

Other Financial Aid Opportunities

Other Fellowships and Internship opportunities are occasionally available through the University.  Interested students should check the Office of Graduate Studies website at http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/applicants and the Lerner College Graduate and Executive Programs website http://www.gep.udel.edu/ for the most current opportunities.

Residence Hall Directorships

In addition, the University hires Residence Hall Directors from among the ranks of its graduate students. Candidates are chosen for their superior leadership and communication skills, as well as the capability to provide guidance to undergraduates. Hall Directors are eligible for room and board, and full tuition waivers. Contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (302) 831-8423 for additional information as soon as possible. Applicants are usually interviewed around mid-April.

 

Part V.     Departmental Operations

 

Occasionally student’s graduate assistantship or other assignments may require the use of departmental laboratories or other facilities.  Keys to laboratories, etc., are maintained in the Department office and will be issued based on faculty and Department Chair approval.

 

Any assignments that require the expenditure of departmental funds (e.g. data collection activities) require departmental approval in advance and are processed through the Department of Accounting & MIS Assistant located in 206 Purnell Hall.



 

MBA / MS DUAL DEGREE in

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

Resolution

 

Whereas the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has a well established MBA program and a newly established MS in IS&TM program, and

 

Whereas the University Faculty Senate has recently approved the establishment of a Master of Business Administration/Master of Science degree in Information Systems and Technology Management, and

 

Whereas the proposed Dual Degree MBA/MS in program will provide an enhanced educational opportunity for interested students, and

 

Whereas the delivery of such a program does not require any additions of courses or resources beyond those already approved for the separate degrees, be it therefore

 

Resolved that a MBA/MS dual degree program in Information Systems and Technology Management be established in the Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics on a provisional basis subject to review after five years.