THE NEXT DYNAMIC LEADER IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS LOOKS LIKE

Master's in Information Systems

AT A GLANCE

Credit hours: 30

Full-time, part-time, online class options

Online and evening class options

Fully online option

Start terms: fall, spring, summer

YOU are the next innovator in business intelligence and digital transformation

The CU Denver MS in Information Systems program blends technical training with strategic leadership, preparing you to drive AI-enabled decision-making and business intelligence initiatives. Specialize in Business Intelligence and gain hands-on experience through projects using real business data.

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specialization to tailor your skills

STEM certified

Classes offered in the evening and online

CITI

Center for Information Technology and Innovation

The CU Denver MS in Information Systems program attracts students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with IT-related experience, who enhance classroom discussions with their expertise. With flexible options including in-person evening courses and an online format, this program allows you to balance your studies with professional or personal commitments. Combining applied technical training with managerial and project management coursework, the program equips you to harness AI, business intelligence, and digital transformation to lead technology strategy in any organization.

By the time you graduate, you'll have developed advanced technical skills and the ability to drive innovation and change. Topics covered include:

Networking
Database management
Security
Governance
Business strategy
Project management
Artificial Intelligence
Business Intelligence & Analytics
Digital Transformation
AI Strategy and AI Governance

International students can benefit from an additional 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT), allowing you to gain work experience in the U.S. within fields such as information systems, business intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Additionally, you’ll have lifelong access to the CU Denver Business Career Center, which offers over a decade of experience in recruiting and career advising. With connections to over 300 business partners, you’ll gain exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders. Services include:

Career workshops: Optimize your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search strategies.
Individual appointments: Receive personalized guidance, resume feedback, or participate in mock interviews.
Career events: Enhance your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies.
Job announcements: Access tailored monthly updates on job and internship opportunities in areas like information systems and business analytics.

As graduates of the program, international students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and remain in the US for an additional 24 months.

Learn more about STEM OPT eligibility

You'll have full access to our Business Career Center team for life. With over 10 years of recruiting and advising experience, they'll help you navigate your way through the corporate recruiting process. Our connections to over 300 business partners provide exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders. Their services include:

Career workshops – perfect your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search process
Individual appointments – explore what your personal career path looks like, review your resume, or schedule a mock interview
Career events – hone your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies
Job announcements – monthly emails with the latest job and internship opportunities specific to your degree

The Information Systems degree is designed to be completed in two years. Much of your coursework will be hands-on software projects that’ll give you applied experience.

Core (15 hours)

Core courses serve as the foundation for understanding the complex issues that occur when designing, implementing and managing information systems within an organization. Courses cover topics such as:

Database management
Information systems management and strategy
Security and privacy
Programing with Python
Analysis modeling and design
Network design
Business intelligence and analytics
Project management
Governance and service management

Elective courses (15 credits)

You can customize your degree to your interests by choosing 5 courses (15 credits) of Information Systems courses (ISMG) at the 6000 level or higher. Up to six credit hours of Business School or Computer Science (CSCI) courses may be used as electives.

If you choose to add a specialization, you may use your elective hours to satisfy those requirements.

Cyber Security and Information Assurance

AI Leadership & Management

The AI Leadership & Management Specialization prepares students to lead organizations through digital transformation by understanding AI's strategic potential and organizational challenges, integrating it strategically, governing its deployment responsibly, and driving innovation to build trust, manage risk, and create competitive advantage.

This specialization hones your skills through course topics including:

Designing intelligent systems
Ethical leadership in AI and Tech
AI governance and lifecycle management
Business Intelligence and AI integration for entrepreneurship, healthcare, and business

We offer this degree entirely online.

Take classes in a hybrid format (classroom and online) or complete your degree in a fully online curriculum. Your online courses are taught by the same professors and lecturers that teach on campus. We also offer hybrid courses in the evening for those working full-time.

Online courses are asynchronous, meaning there is no specific meeting day/time. Hybrid courses combine in-person and online learning. The in-person experience typically occurs once a week, from 6:30-9:15 p.m., one evening between Monday and Thursday. There will be at least six in-person meetings during the 8-week session, complemented by asynchronous content.

Most graduate courses are offered as an 8-week session within the 16-week fall and spring semesters. Graduate courses in the summer semester extend for the entire semester, which is an 8-week session as well.

National research shows increased graduation rates among students taking courses in an 8-week session. The data on 8-week courses shows increased student success and course completion rates. The course material is condensed into eight weeks. So, while the weekly workload is greater, you can complete the course in half the time! It is recommended to take one course per each 8-week session, particularly if you work full-time, which allows you to place your focus on just that course.

Additionally, offering courses in 8-week sessions every semester enables you to balance and manage life responsibilities while still prioritizing your education. For instance, if you have a vacation, family commitment or business trip occurring in the first 8-week session, you can choose to enroll only in a course offered in the second eight-week session.

Learning outcomes

Masters in Information Systems

Value 1: Leverage Data

Outcome: Design systems and processes that facilitate the organization, use, management, and preservation of information.

Value 2: Manage Strategically

Outcome: Develop strategies for the efficient and cost-effective management of information systems.

Value 3: Design Thoughtfully

Outcome: Translate business requirements into technical solutions by analyzing, designing, implementing, and evaluating information systems artifacts.

Value 4: Act Securely

Outcome: Apply basic cybersecurity principles to identify, protect, detect respond and recover from cybersecurity threats.

Value 5: Behave Ethically

Outcome: Assess ethical issues in information systems, such as privacy, access, and bias.

These objectives are assessed in relevant courses across the curriculum using projects, presentations, assignments and exam questions.

Information Systems (IS) Careers
Information Systems (IS) careers span a broad range of industries including corporate, public sector, and non-profit organizations. These roles often concentrate on specialties such as Business Intelligence (BI), database management, data warehousing, project management, security, artificial intelligence and analytics, digital transformation, and web and mobile application development. For those interested in this field, the Information Systems Job Index provides valuable data on job placement rates and salary trends. Additionally, the Technology and IT Salary Guide is a recommended resource for further salary insights.

Information Systems Job Titles:

Software Designer/Developer
System Administrator
Database Administrator
Technology Executive
Business Analyst
Data Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Business Intelligence Developer
AI/Analytics Consultant
Digital Transformation Manager
Computer Support Manager
Cybersecurity Analyst
eCommerce Specialist
Help Desk Manager
Information Security Specialist
Mobile Applications Developer
Network Manager
Project Manager
Quality Assurance Manager
UX/UI Designer
Web Analytics/Web Developer

For more comprehensive information and additional resources on careers in Information Systems, please visit our Careers page.

Tuition

The cost of tuition for the Masters in Information Systems degree is different for in-state and out-of-state students.

Residents of western states may qualify for in-state tuition. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) requires that students maintain current residency of WRGP state until degree completion.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students. As a current student, you can apply for scholarships every semester. Some awards are based on program and course enrollment.

Newly Admitted and Continuing Students:

You can apply for additional scholarships every semester of enrollment. Some awards may be specific to individual programs or enrollment in specific courses. Certain certificates, including risk management and insurance, commodities, and entrepreneurship, have additional scholarship opportunities.

Specialized Dual Degree Option

Many students pursue the dual degree option of pairing a Masters in Business Analytics with a Masters in Information Systems (Business Intelligence Specialization). These two degree options offer complementary courses and can be completed together efficiently. Speak with a graduate advisor for more details.

Additional Dual Degree Options

Dual degree options for Master of Science programs include all of our MBA programs and all Business School Master of Science programs. We design a specific degree plan so you get through both programs as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. The amount of credits in each dual degree depends on the amount of overlap between degree programs. Eligible Master of Science programs include:

MS Accounting
MS Business Analytics
MS Finance and Risk Management
MS FinTech
MS Information Systems
MS International Business
MS Management
MS Marketing
MS Sustainable Business

If you are applying for both degrees, you will only need to submit one online application and pay one application fee. Be aware that you must meet specific admission standards for each degree. For more information about dual degree options and the application process, please contact BSchool.Admissions@ucdenver.edu.

Application Checklist

$50 domestic, $75 international application fee
Online application
Official transcripts from each college or university attended
Essay responses
Resume

GMAT/GRE score if required
English language proficiency—international applicants only

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Application Process

Applicants are required to submit all application materials. Interviews are not a part of the admission process. To receive priority admission, we must have received your online application and all other required materials including transcripts and GMAT/GRE (if required by program) by the deadline.

You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
No work experience or formal business education is required for admission, however, you may have to provide a GMAT or GRE score if you do not have enough work experience, see below.

The GMAT/GRE is not required for this program

The MS Information Systems program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for their degree program as part of the graduate admissions requirements. The requirements are a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better from a US accredited four-year undergraduate institution and three or more years of full-time professional work experience or the successful completion of a graduate degree.

However, if you received your bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of less than 3.30 or have less than 3 years of professional work experience, you will be asked to submit a statement that outlines other indicators of exceptional motivation, such as solid upper-division performance, GMAT or GRE scores, and other relevant professional experience. The MS Information Systems admissions committee may require a minimum GMAT or GRE score for students that do not automatically qualify by GPA and prior work.

How Decisions Are Made

The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement. This is demonstrated through:

Academic transcripts
Essay responses
Work experience
Extracurricular and community activities
Letters of recommendation if applicable
GMAT/GRE scores if applicable

No work experience or formal business education is required for admission. However, professional experience strengthens your application. Candidates with less work experience can show potential through academic and experiential success.

For any questions, please contact our admissions team at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-8200.

International Applicants

International applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in written and oral English.
To determine English Language Proficiency (ELP), you must complete one of the following:

English language proficiency test
Citizenship exemption
Coursework completion
CU Denver ESL Academy (Level 5) graduation
Exception for certain visa types

Please note for Business School graduate programs TOEFL minimum scores are as follows:

Programs:	TOEFL iBT (0 - 120)	*TOEFL iBT (0 - 6)
MS programs	72+	4
Denver Flex & Online MBA	86+	4.5
One Year MBA	95+	5

*Scores in the 1 - 6 scale applies only to TOEFL iBT tests taken on or after January 21, 2026.

For more details about the English Language Proficiency requirement, please visit the following page.

International graduate applicants will have their academic credentials evaluated by CU Denver’s Office of International Affairs

Plan to submit materials early to expedite processing. Deadlines apply to all required documents.

Fall

Domestic Application Deadlines

Priority: April 15
Final: July 15

International Application Deadlines

Priority: March 15
Final: May 15

Spring

Domestic Application Deadlines

Priority: October 15
Final: December 15

International Application Deadlines

Priority: September 15
Final: October 15

Summer

Domestic Application Deadlines

Priority: February 15
Final: April 15

International Application Deadlines

Priority: January 15
Final: March 15

Take the next step in your career.

Many students take advantage of internships for credit while going to school full-time. These internships oftentimes result in full-time job offers upon completion. Past companies our students have interned for include:

Newmont Mining
DaVita
Pingora Asset Management
Vizient

Our Information Systems Association (ISA) student chapter provides huge value for our MS Information Systems students. It has been instrumental in helping our students attain their career goals through high-profile events and speakers.

Through our Information Systems Advisory Council, we celebrate the collaboration between academia and industry. Our corporate members come from leading companies across industries globally. As a student, you’ll benefit from the connections we’ve built with companies, including.

First Bank
Log Rhythm
MITRE
Optiv
Transamerica

Graduation ceremony for masters in information systems students.

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Upcoming events

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Attend a graduate open house, online or in-person information session, or a GMAT test prep workshop. Visit our events page for all upcoming events.

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THE NEXT DYNAMIC LEADER IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS LOOKS LIKE