Stay ahead of the digital curve

MS 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

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.

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specializations to tailor your skills

STEM certified

Classes offered in the evening and online

CITI

Center for Information Technology and Innovation

Deep Connections to Industry

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.

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 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

Learning outcomes

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):

Preferred Applicant Scholarship—$3,000

Effective beginning Summer 2023, this scholarship is awarded to high-achieving incoming graduate business students based on undergraduate GPA (3.60+) and/or your GMAT (610+) or minimum GRE of (155v /160q) scores. This scholarship is automatically awarded until funds are exhausted so your early application is encouraged. Newly admitted and continuing students are not eligible. Contact an enrollment manager prior to submitting an application to check eligibility. Awarded over 2 semesters, $1,500 each.

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

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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 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

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

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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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