Stay ahead of the digital curve
Breadcrumb
Credit hours: 30
Full-time, part-time, online class options
Online and evening class options
Fully online option
Start terms: fall, spring, summer
A degree that blends technology and strategy
Our program layers managerial training with technical concepts to help you become a leader in your chosen career path in information technology. You can customize your degree to your interests or choose a specialization in either Business Intelligence or Cybersecurity. With hands-on software projects, each class will take you one step closer to understanding how to harness the power of technology for business.
Our program connects business leaders in technology here in Denver to our students. We are a hub of technology and collaborate with partners through a number of the events and organizations. Opportunities include:
- The annual tech-smart panel event
- Become a Business Leader with an Edge event
- Information Systems Student Association
- Transamerica Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Student Club
Our MS Information Systems students come to us from a variety of backgrounds, mostly IT-related, and bring their expertise and work experience into classroom discussions. An evening or online program, we give you the flexibility to fit this degree into your life. With a mix of applied technical classes and practical managerial and project management coursework, you’ll graduate ready to lead technology strategy in any organization.
You’ll graduate with a strong grasp of technical concepts and how to effect change through technologies. Explore the following topics throughout the program:
- Networking
- Database
- Security
- Governance
- Business strategy
- Project management
As a graduate of the program, international students are able to apply for Optional Practice Training (OPT) and stay in the US for an additional 24 months.
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 MS in Information Systems 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.

Business Intelligence Systems
Business intelligence systems combine data with analytical tools to present complex information in a usable format. Data is then used to make decisions and understand the capabilities of a firm, future market directions, regulatory environment, and actions of competitors. For this specialization, course topics include:
- Business intelligence systems
- Data warehousing and administration
- Text data analytics and visualization
- Business intelligence in finance and healthcare

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
A field actively looking for talent, cybersecurity is of growing relevance. Companies depend on digital solutions and the consequence of security breaches are all too real. This specialization hones your skills through course topics including:
- Securing and protecting enterprise
- IT risk management
- Ethical hacking
- Intrusion detection and incident response
MS 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 Careers
Information Systems jobs are found in most corporate, public sector and non-profit organizations. Key areas include BI, computer and network support, database management, data warehousing, project management, quality assurance, security, and web and mobile application development. The Information Systems Job Index gives insight into placement rates and salary growth in the field. We also recommend reviewing the Technology and IT Salary Guide.
Information Systems Job Titles
- Software Designer/Developer
- System Administrator
- Database Administrator
- Technology Executive
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Computer Support Manager
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- eCommerce Specialist
- Help Desk Manager
- Information Security
- Mobile Applications Developer
- Network Manager
- Project Manager
- Quality Assurance Manager
- UX/UI Designer
- Web Analytics/Web Developer
Visit our Careers page for more detailed information on the resources available.
Tuition
The cost of tuition for the MS 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.
Prospective students (not yet admitted):
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 specializations including risk management and insurance, commodities, and entrepreneurship have additional scholarship opportunities.
We offer this degree entirely online. The online program has the same requirements as the on-campus program and is taught by the same professors. You can blend campus courses, hybrid courses, and fully online courses to fit your schedule.
Specialized Dual Degree Option
Many students pursue the dual degree option of pairing an MS in Business Analytics with an MS 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 Global Energy Management
- MS Information Systems
- MS International Business
- MS Management
- MS Marketing
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
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 or the successful completion of a graduate degree, and three or more years of full-time professional work experience.
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 Students
International graduate applicants must have their academic credentials evaluated by either Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). If you have already had an international credential evaluation from another company, please contact CU Denver International Admissions at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu to determine whether it meets our requirements.
To meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) criteria, you must either showcase your proficiency through past education in English instruction or an English Language Proficiency test. If you are a citizen of a country whose official language is English, you do not have to prove proficiency. See below for a listing of accepted countries.
To claim proficiency, you must complete one of the following criteria. Please note that test scores are valid for two years.
- Submit a TOEFL score that meets the minimum requirements of 83 (IBT) or 560 (PBT).
The minimum IBT sub-scores for each section are:- Reading: 18
- Listening: 17
- Speaking: 20
- Writing: 17
- Submit an IELTS score of at least 6.5 The minimum IELTS sub scores for the reading, listening, speaking, and writing sections are 5.5.
- Submit a copy of completion from the CU Denver ESL Academy.
- Be a citizen of a country whose official language is English. International applicants holding a citizenship from the following countries do not need to prove their English language proficiency for admission to CU Denver: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Granada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom.
- International applicants may meet the English language proficiency requirement through any of the options below for previous coursework completed. Options for previous coursework completed which will satisfy admissions ELP requirements:
- Earn an associate or bachelor's degree in the US
- Earn a post-secondary credential (comparable to a US associate or bachelor's degree) in any of the exempt countries listed above
- Earn a post-secondary credential (comparable to a US associate or bachelor's degree) at an exempt-country-accredited school located in a non-exempt country
- Earned 12 or more credit hours in a master or doctoral degree program in the United States, an exempt country, or at an exempt-country-accredited school in a non-exempt country AND earned an overall college-level GPA of 3.0 or higher.
To be eligible for scholarships you must apply by the priority deadlines. Plan to submit materials early to expedite processing. Deadlines apply to all required documents. Please note that if you apply by the final deadlines many classes may be full.
Plan to submit materials early to expedite processing. Deadlines apply to all required documents.
Fall
Domestic Applications
- Priority: April 15
- Final: July 15
International Applications
- Priority: March 15
- Final: May 15
Spring
Domestic Applications
- Priority: October 15
- Final: December 15
International Applications
- Priority: September 15
- Final: October 15
Summer
Domestic Applications
- Priority: February 15
- Final: April 15
International Applications
- Priority: January 15
- Final: March 15
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
Request More Information
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.