Information Systems

100% Online Master of Science Degree

Technology and Business Oriented 

East Tennessee State University's Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) is a technically-oriented degree for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of technology in a business context. This degree allows students from any background to increase their technical expertise in Information Technology and Information Systems.

Choose Your Specialization

When enrolling in the Master of Science in Information Systems, students have four (4) options for program completion. They can choose to specialize in one (1) of four (4) currently offered areas:

  • Cybersecurity Management Concentration

    The Cybersecurity Management specialization ensures students understand cybersecurity concepts before developing strategies to prevent threats to information within an organization.  Protecting data that resides in and moves between information systems is vital for any organization, as evidenced by the number of information breaches occurring each year.  In addition, students will use analysis techniques to detect particular types of cybersecurity attacks.

    Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

  • Data Analytics Concentration

    The Data Analytics concentration will allow you to develop strategies for using data to gain business advantages, through inspecting and cleaning data, using programming to analyze and visualize data, and using the information gained to make meaningful decisions.

    Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

  • Information Management Concentration

    The Information Management concentration introduces students to managing an organization's information assets, including how data are stored and presented to consumers.  In addition to a study of strategic leadership, the concentration offers a case study in the use of information systems in the healthcare field.

    Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

  • User Experience Engineering Concentration

    The User Experience Engineering concentration provides students with a developer-oriented option for studying User Experience (UX) and online user behavior.  User experience engineers blend UX with front-end development to ensure the presentation of information is usable, stable, and attractive to the end user.

    Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

For students wanting to complete their degree in-person and on-campus, visit the traditional Masters in Information Systems page.

 

LOOKING FORWARD

Graduates with a Master of Science in Information Systems would qualify for  job opportunities in several areas:

  • Career Outlook and Income Trends

Steps to Apply

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Master's," term, then choose  Information Systems and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

Apply Today!

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Cost

Credits to complete this program: 33 credit hours

TN Residents eRate (Out of State, 100% online) Out of State
$613 per credit hour $765 per credit hour $1454 per credit hour

-Note, tuition discounts are available for border county students.
-This amount may not include program-specific fees.

Read more about cost, paying for courses, scholarship options and financial aid.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should a student pursue this program at ETSU? What makes it unique?
    It is a technically oriented approach to studying business-related Computing. Concentrations focus on topics such as managing an organization’s cybersecurity strategy, analyzing data to make decisions, using information as an organizational asset, and presenting information to consumers in a way that enhances their experience.
  • What is an exciting aspect of this program?
    The M.S. Information Systems was designed to give students education in relevant and timely areas of study while remaining extremely flexible. It offers students an first-rate selection of concentration options, a capstone experience that fits the student’s needs, and an opportunity to take elective courses of interest. The modality of the program adds additional flexibility for working professionals, making it ideal for those with existing obligations.
  • Is this program accredited?

    East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. East Tennessee State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of East Tennessee State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website  (www.sacscoc.org).





  • What are the job prospects with this degree?

    Graduates with a Master of Science in Information Systems would qualify for job opportunities in several areas:

    • IT Security Specialist
    • Cybersecurity Consultant

    • Director of Information Security

    • Data Analyst

    • Business Intelligence Analyst

    • Business Intelligence Developer

    • Information Specialist

    • Information Systems Manager

    • User Experience Designer

    • User Experience Manager

    • User Experience Architect

    In addition to these and other job opportunities, graduates who wish to progress to a Ph.D. in Information Systems will have a solid foundation of coursework and a good exposure to Information Systems research.

  • Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? What are the prerequisites? 
    Students from any field may apply, and no prerequisite requirements are necessary. The most successful students will have a basic exposure to programming before beginning the program of study, but this does not need to be through formal undergraduate studies.
  • Does this program require the GRE (and/or GMAT)?
    The GRE is not required. International students must meet English proficiency requirements set by the Graduate School.
  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous? 

    Some courses are offered asynchronously, while others are offered synchronously. Synchronous courses meet in the evenings to better accommodate work schedules.

  • What are the traditional meeting times for the synchronous courses?

    Synchronous courses in this program are normally set in the evenings to accommodate working professionals who desire an on-campus experience. 

  • Are there any on-campus requirements, meetings, orientations, etc.?

    No, there are no on-campus requirements.

  • Does this program require a dissertation, field work, internship, and/or thesis? 

    The program offers three separate capstone opportunities. Students must choose from:

    • An independent project;
    • An information systems group project; or
    • A traditional thesis.

    Each capstone requires 6 credit hours of study.

  • Is this program designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?

    Yes. Since this program can be completed fully online, it is ideal for those with existing familial or professional obligations.

  • What is the time to completion for full-time students?

    Full-time students typically complete the program in 4 semesters.

  • What is the time to completion for part-time students?

    Part-time students typically complete the program in 6-8 semesters depending on their needs and limitations. 

  • Is there a plan of study/course schedule available for review?

    Please visit the program page for an overview of the curriculum.

     

  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?

    No limits have been established at this time.

  • Does the college/department offer scholarships?

    CBAT offers graduate student scholarships. Interested students must apply by March 1 via the scholarship link on the CBAT website.

    The Department of Computing offers graduate assistantships and tuition scholarships. More information is available on the Graduate Assistantships section of our Department of Computing webpage. 

    Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.