Department of Management Information Systems

Chair and Professor: J. Downey (PhD), 450-3110
Professor: M. McMurtrey (PhD), S. Zeltmann (PhD)
Associate Professor: M. Ellis (PhD), K. McKinzie (PhD)
Assistant Professor: M. Casey (PhD), M. Esposito (PhD), J. Hill (PhD), S. Lin (PhD), J. Thomas (PhD)
Lecturer II: C. Barber (MSE)
Lecturer I: S. Shaw (MAT)

[1] Objectives

The Department of Management Information Systems (MIS) offers major programs of study in four different areas: Management Information Systems (MIS), a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BS-IS), a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management (BS-Cyber Management), and General Business. MIS and General Business majors graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Both MIS and BS-IS are designed to prepare students for careers in designing, developing, implementing and maintaining computer-based systems. Students learn how to utilize the power of computer technologies to reduce costs and improve organizational effectiveness. Graduates use their understanding of business processes and computer technologies to help create and improve computer-based systems which are critical to the success of almost all modern organizations. The department also offers minors in three areas: Management Information Systems, Business Administration, and Data Analytics.

MIS and BS-IS are similar in many respects. They share many of the same course requirements and graduates can vie for some of the same jobs. Both have a business component as well as a technology component in their curricula. But they are also different. The MIS degree requires more business classes and less technology. The BS-IS degree requires more technology; indeed this degree requires a minor in Computer Science. The degree program in MIS prepares students for careers in business, government, and not-for-profit organizations as systems or business analysts, programmers, database developers and managers, and website managers. Graduates become project managers, database administrators, network managers, and directors of the information systems function within their organizations. The BS-IS program prepares graduates for similar type jobs, but students are more thoroughly prepared for one of the most common jobs in the IT industry—development. IT developers write and maintain computer code; they solve business problems by developing programming solutions.

The BS-IS degree has no concentrations, but does require a minor in CS. It is unlike any program in the state in that it a true combination of business, MIS and CS. The MIS program, on the other hand, consists of a single major (MIS), but requires students to choose between three different concentrations, including Application Development, Network and Systems Administration, or Business Analysis. The three concentrations include an MIS Core of four required courses, with additional courses and electives for advanced study depending on the concentration. This MIS program offers students an unusual breadth of study (three specialization concentrations) and an unusual depth of study (advanced courses in each area) compared to other MIS programs in Arkansas and the region.

The Cybersecurity Management degree is designed to prepare students to work as technical experts in assessing and preventing cyber threats, as well as managing and leading an organization’s cybersecurity efforts. It is both technical and managerial in its focus.

The General Business major is designed for students who are interested in the varied aspects of business and organizations and wish to sample three or more different areas of study. The program is designed for students who wish a broader business perspective than that provided by a single business department. This is an interdisciplinary business major that requires students take upper-division courses from at least three of the seven business disciplines in the College of Business. Students who major in General Business have a broad knowledge base of the entire business organization, without specializing in one area. Majors are frequently interested in smaller organizations or managing their own business.

[2] Baccalaureate Degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

[2.1] Management Information Systems

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Management Information Systems requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated BBA foundation, core, and major courses; (2) the BBA foundation (30 hours) and core requirements (18 hours); (3) the major requirements (24 hours) listed below; and (4) electives to bring total credit hours to 120.

Students majoring in Management Information Systems must choose one of three concentrations, including Application Development, Network and Systems Administration, or Business Analysis. Each concentration requires the same four core MIS courses, but different follow-on courses.

MIS Core Courses (12 hours):

In addition to the four required MIS Core classes, each student will select one of three concentrations (detailed below). These concentrations include an additional one to four courses each. Each of these concentrations (except GIS and E-Commerce in the Application Development Concentration as noted below) allow the student to select one elective, which must be advanced (3000 level or above) courses in MIS or Statistics (QMTH) or ACCT 3320. The following details the concentrations.

[2.1.1] Application Development Concentration

[Back to program-of-study links]

The Application Development Concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working with software. Graduates from this concentration typically develop and maintain applications and other software, such as databases, web sites, geographical information systems, and other computer-based systems, including corporate computer infrastructures. Graduates frequently work on Information Technology (IT) projects or as IT systems analysts. The Application Development Concentration is comprised of three “sub-concentrations”, including E-Commerce, Programmer/Analyst, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The GIS sub-concentration includes courses from the Department of Geography. Each student will self-select one of these sub-concentrations by choosing one of three advanced courses. Requirements for the Application Development Concentration are as follows:

Major in MIS, Application Development Concentration (24 hours)

Take the following:

One programming course, chosen from the following (3 hours):

Choose any one elective from any advanced (3000 level or higher) MIS course or ACCT 3320 (note that there are no electives for the GIS sub concentration) (3 hours; 0 hours for GIS).

Choose one of the three sub-concentrations below (6 hours; 9 hours for GIS).

[2.1.1.1] E-Commerce sub-concentration (6 hours)

This sub-concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working on corporate and organizational web sites. Graduates develop and maintain Internet-based IT systems for business and non-profit entities in support of organizational goals and requirements. Of particular importance is developing interactive web technologies, including Electronic Commerce (E-commerce) and managing web servers. The following 6 hours are required:

[2.1.1.2] Programmer/Analyst sub-concentration (3 hours)

This sub-concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working as system designers and system builders in a large organization. Graduates from this sub-concentration typically work with non-technical managers and staff along with computer scientists and technicians in designing and building large computer-based systems and corporate computer infrastructures. The following course is required:

[2.1.1.3] Geographical Information Systems (GIS) sub-concentration (11-12 hours)

This sub-concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working with electronic mapping systems. These systems are used extensively by federal, state, and local government agencies. Utility companies which provide electric power, natural gas, water, sewer, cable, and telephone almost all use these systems. Many other employers are also interested in GIS/Spatial system technologies. Because this sub-concentration requires 11-12 hours of Geography, it has no electives. The following 11-12 hours are required:

[2.1.2] Network and Systems Administration Concentration

[Back to program-of-study links]

The Network and Systems Administration Concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs in the telecommunications industry or as networking specialists. The focus of this concentration is computer networking, hardware, systems administration, and server management. Graduates will have studied traditional wireline technologies, wireless technologies, and computer networks of various types. Requirements for the Concentration include the following:

Major in MIS, Network and Systems Administration Concentration (24 hours)

Take the following (9 hours):

Choose one elective from advanced (3000-level or higher) MIS course or ACCT 3320 (3 hours).

[2.1.3] Business Analysis Concentration

[Back to program-of-study links]

The MIS Business Analysis concentration may be completed online or in a classroom setting. For more information, email Dr. Jim Downey, MIS department chair.

The Business Analysis Concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs that pair business requirements and analysis. In many companies, the need is not for developers or hardware/software experts, but on employees who understand technology, can work in teams, and analyze business processes. Graduates are prepared to be a link between business managers and the technical staff, and will have experience working on projects in teams. Project management is one of the key components of this concentration. Requirements for the Business Analysis Concentration include the following:

Major in MIS, Business Analysis Concentration (24 hours)

Take three of the following (9 hours):

Choose one elective from any advanced (3000-level or higher) MIS course or ACCT 3320 (3 hours).

[2.1.4] Minor in Management Information Systems (18 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Students who wish to minor in MIS have the opportunity to focus their efforts in many directions, from developing computer code and technical competence to a less-technical, but more statistical business analysis direction. MIS offers students the technical foundation to compete for a wide variety of well-paid and respected technical positions.

A minor in MIS requires 18 unique hours, that is, these 18 hours may not be used for any other major or minor. The MIS minor includes four required core courses, one technical or programming course, and one elective, for a total of 18 hours.

Required courses (12 credit hours)

Choose one of the following courses (3 credit hours)

Additional elective requirements (3 credit hours)

Take one additional upper-division (3000- or 4000-level) MIS course; this upper-division course may be from either Mathematics or Computer Science, but this Math/Computer Science course may not be a course required for graduation in that major.

[2.1.5] Minor in Data Analytics (18 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

As one of the fastest growing fields in information technology, data analytics is the art and science of using organizational data for strategic and tactical purposes. Data analytics is a vast field, with skills ranging from advanced statistics to programming to employing dedicated analysis software. This minor focuses on using both programming and software to cleanse, transform, analyze, and display data effectively.

A minor in Data Analytics requires 18 unique hours, that is, these 18 hours may not be used for any other major or minor. The minor includes four required core courses and two electives (chosen from five courses), for a total of 18 hours.

Required courses (12 credit hours)

Choose two of the following courses (6 credit hours)

Note 1

[2.2] General Business

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in General Business requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated BBA foundation, core, and major courses; (2) the BBA foundation (30 hours) and core requirements (18 hours); (3) the major requirements listed below; and (4) electives to bring the total credit hours to 120.

[2.2.1] General Business Requirements

The general business major requires eight upper-division courses in at least three different teaching areas in the College of Business, including Accounting (ACCT), Economics (ECON), Finance (FINA), Insurance and Risk Management (INSU), Management Information Systems (MIS or QMTH), Marketing (MKTG), or Management (MGMT).

[2.2.2] Minor in Business Administration (24 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Not open to business majors working on a BBA degree. The minor in General Business requires the following courses:

[3] Baccalaureate Degrees: Bachelor of Science (BS)

[3.1] Information Systems

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Information systems requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses in the BBA foundation, core, and major courses; (2) 36-37 hours of Business Requirement courses (up to approximately 12 hours may also be used for the UCA Core requirement); (3) the major requirements (30 hours) listed below; (4) a required minor in Computer Science; and (5) electives to bring total credit hours to 120.

Requirements for the Information Systems degree follow.

Business Requirements (36-37 credit hours)

*These courses can also count as part of the 38 hour lower-division UCA Core requirement.

Information Systems Requirement: (30 credit hours)

Minor in Computer Science (17 credit hours)

[3.2] Cybersecurity Management

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Cybersecurity Management requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses in the major; (2) 15 hours of business requirements; (3) 6 hours of statistics/math; (4) 28 hours of technology courses; (5) 21 hours of strategy/management courses; and (6) electives to bring total credit hours to 120.

Requirements for the BS Cybersecurity Management degree follow.

UCA Core (38 hours)

The following required courses in the major may be taken as part of the lower-division UCA Core.

Business Requirements (15 hours)

Math/BS Requirement (6 hours)

Technology Requirement (28 hours)

Strategy & Management Requirement (21 hours)

[4] Practical Work Experience for Credit – Internships and Projects

The MIS and CS Departments offer credit for practical work experience in the discipline. Students may intern with an employer during any semester or across semesters as best fits the needs of the student and the employer. Students may also work with faculty on a project of interest to both the student and the faculty member. Internship credit (MIS 3382, MIS 4382, CSCI 3V75) and project credit (MIS 4390) provide upper-division MIS credit to the student and serve as hours in the major for all MIS concentrations, for General Business, or for the BS in Information Systems. See the MIS or CS Department chair for more information.

[5] Honors in Management Information Systems

[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]

The MIS department is pleased to offer an opportunity for outstanding students to pursue the Honors in Management Information Systems program. This includes students in any of the three degree programs in the department (BBA-MIS, BBA-General Business, BS-Information Systems). Students with senior status and overall and major grade point averages of 3.25 are eligible to apply for participation in this program. Honors scholars in MIS must successfully complete MIS 4370 or MIS 4390 under the direction of an MIS faculty member. Students who qualify and are interested should apply to the MIS Department Chair. Participation is not assured even if the grade point average thresholds are met.

[6] Course Links (MIS, CSCI, CSEC, PSCI)

Follow this link for MIS course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for CSCI course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for CSEC course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for PSCI course descriptions: course link.