The Information Systems Department offers MS and PhD degrees in Information Systems (IS), Human-Centered Computing (HCC), and an M.P.S. in Health Information Technology (HIT). Prospective MS students can choose from three campus-based MS degrees (IS, HIT and HCC) or one completely online MS degree (IS only). All programs are designed for students who wish to further their knowledge and experience in the area of Information Systems, Health Information Technology or Human-Centered Computing. These programs may also be of interest to individuals whose undergraduate academic backgrounds are not in a computer or information systems discipline but who meet the department's admission requirements.

The IS department offers two Ph.D. programs. They are research oriented and intended for graduate students who desire to make research contributions to the field of Information Systems (IS) or Human-Centered Computing (HCC).

The MS programs in IS (campus-based or online) focus on using computer technologies to provide methods, practices, and algorithms that transform data into information and knowledge desired by, and useful for, individual and group users in organizations.

Our program is designed to build your knowledge step-by-step until you have mastered the curriculum. It starts with fundamentals courses to make sure you have a good foundation in programming concepts, databases, and networks. Building on the principles, you move to the core courses where you learn and practice various information systems and ways to implement them. Finally, you are able to hone your skills with an optional thesis and electives, including specialized tracks.

• 39 credits (13 courses) required
• Foundational courses to set you up for success
  • One or more of these courses can be waived based on prior academic experience
• Specialize in artificial intelligence, data science, or user experience design
• Students must maintain a B average (3.0 GPA)

Research Areas

The department's faculty and programs have a broad view of information systems. Research areas include, but are not limited to:
•    Artificial Intelligence/Knowledge Management
•    Database/Data Mining
•    Health Informatics
•    Human-Centered Computing
•    Systems and Software

Designed for those with or without an educational background in technology, our STEM designated program can help you join or advance in the fast-growing technology field. Study from faculty doing research in today’s leading areas like artificial intelligence, cyber, and data science.

Benefits

• Fully accredited, which means your degree carries weight
• Finish in as little as two years
• Assigned faculty advisor upon admission
• Participate in innovative, cross disciplinary research
• Study in the DC-Baltimore technology corridor, with great internship and job opportunities

Specialize

Program tracks allow you to focus on an in-demand area of interest while receiving a great education in information systems. Tracks appear on your transcript, so employers can see the difference.

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree: A four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university or an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution.
• Language requirements: All applicants are expected to read, speak, write and understand English fluently upon entering the program. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or an IELTS test is required for students who have earned an undergraduate degree from a non-English-speaking college or university. Applicants whose native language is not English, but who have a post-secondary degree from an Englishspeaking institution will not be required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score established for admission into the program is 550 (written), 213 (computerized), or 80 (iBT). The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. TOEFL information and applications are available from Educational Testing Service (ETS) at TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ
• 08541-6151, Phone: 609-771-7100 or online at www.toefl.org. IELTS information can be obtained from www.ielts.org.
• GRE scores are not required for any of the MS programs and the Human-Centered Computing Ph.D. program. Applicants for the Information Systems Ph.D. program must submit their GRE Aptitude Test scores before the application deadline.
• The majority of successful applicants have an undergraduate GPA well above 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants with GPA slightly under 3.0 may be granted for conditional acceptance, depending on their past working experience and other evidence that shows applicants' potential in succeeding in the M.S. program.
• The application deadline dates for the programs are as follows:
  • Domestic Application Deadlines:
    • M.S.: May 1 and October 1                    
    • Ph.D.: February 1 and September 1
  • International Application Deadlines:
    • January 1 and June 1

Tuition fee-1.5 years$38,000

Total fee-1.5 years$60,000