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Metropolitan State University (Home)

Management Information Systems Generalist GCERT

College of Management / Management Information Systems
Graduate certificate

About The Program

Metropolitan State University offers graduate certificate programs designed to meet the rapidly-evolving needs of business professionals who use information technology and want develop more skills in the field of management information systems (MIS).

If you are a general business graduate with workplace experience in information systems or an MIS or other IT technical professional, the MIS Generalist Graduate Certificate brings you up to speed on important MIS management issues. The program helps you understand new MIS technologies and how to manage them and be aware of important new strategies for managing many architectures including internet-based or distributed computing environments, and many others. You also learn project management skills that are crucial in the MIS environment and in great demand in the marketplace. Finally, you will learn how to integrate many new MIS and management models.

The expected outcomes include:

  • improved preparation for management in an increasingly information-intensive world,
  • ability to develop organizational strategies based on using MIS as competitive tools, and
  • broadening of your knowledge of technology management areas, including project management, and of MIS technology and its applications.

    Student outcomes

    Upon completing a Graduate Certificate in Management Information Systems Generalist, you will be able to: 

    • Evaluate and manage information systems needs and recommend appropriate technological solutions for business problems.
    • Design and develop organizational strategies based on using MIS as competitive tools.
    • Evaluate information technology implementations for gaps and create solutions.
    • Apply sound project and product management principles related to MIS technology and its applications.

    Potential Career Opportunities

    • Computer and IT Management
    • Business Continuity Analysis
    • Network and Computer Systems Administration
    • Help Desk Analysis
    • Systems Specialist
    • Technical Consulting
    • Business Process Analysis
    • Software Engineering

    How to enroll

    Program eligibility requirements

    Please see How to Enroll for Program eligibility requirements.

    Application instructions

    Questions?

    For questions about applying to the Management Information Systems Generalist GCERT program, email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu (preferred) or call 651-793-1302.

    Deadlines

    July 1 - Fall semester
    Nov. 15 - Spring semester
    March 15 - Summer semester

    *U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents

    Applications are complete once all requirements are met and fee received. Completed application files will be forwarded to the College of Management Graduate Admission Committee for review, please allow 7-10 business days.

    Late applications: applications will continue to be accepted beyond the deadline, however we cannot guarantee admission, though we can defer admission to the next available semester.

    Incomplete applications will be moved to the next available semester for up to three terms total, giving applicants who need it, up to one year to complete their application file.

    International Students

    Because this is not a degree-granting program, applications from international students studying on an F-1 student visa will not be accepted.

    Application packet

    A complete application file consists of two parts. Begin by completing the online graduate application. All application materials become the property of Metropolitan State University and are not returned.

    Part one

    • Complete the Online Graduate Application—You will use your Minnesota State StarID to complete the application. If you don't have a Minnesota State StarID you will create one at the beginning of the application.
      • If you do not have or choose not to provide your Social Security number (SSN) please follow the No SSN instructions to activate your StarID.
      • If you encounter difficulty with the online application please email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu
    • $20 non-refundable application fee; pay online
      • Waived for graduates of Metropolitan State, and for certified veterans & active military.
    • Official transcripts
      • Transcript showing a baccalaureate degree or equivalent earned from a regionally accredited institution with grade-point average or narrative description describing courses completed.
      • Transcripts from any graduate or professional programs are required.
      • All transcripts from non-U.S. schools must be evaluated (course-by-course) by either ECE (preferred) or WES.
      • Electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@metrostate.edu
      • Paper transcripts should be sent directly from the sending institution (preferred) to:

        Metropolitan State University
        Attn: Graduate Admissions
        700 East Seventh Street
        Saint Paul MN 55106

    Part two

    • After you have submitted your online application, log in to the Applicant Portal using your Start ID and password to upload application materials, and check on the status of your application.  The Applicant Portal will indicate missing application items.
    • Current Resume: upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID.
      • One year of professional work experience is required for the program.
    • Completion of an undergraduate statistics class with a grade of B or better or completion of MBA Math.
      • If you choose to take MBA Math, you must achieve a minimum proficiency score on each of the lessons (see MBA math Frequently Asked Questions page).
      • MBA math is self-paced; you can retake any lesson until you reach minimum proficiency at no additional cost.
      • The STATS prerequisite will be waived if you take MBA Math and reach minimum proficiency in each of the STATS lessons.
      • Email your name and StarID to graduate.studies@metrostate.edu and request the promo code.
      • Register for MBA Math
    • After you register, while logged in to MBA Math:
      • Go to My Account | My Schools.
      • If you see a Metropolitan State entry, make sure the Allow School Access box is checked.
      • If you don't see Metropolitan State in the My Schools section, click Add School w/ School-Provided RSVP Code, enter the promo code given to you when you registered, click Add Code and make sure the new entry's Allow School Access box is checked.
    • Admission Essay: upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID. Your admission essay will serve as both a goals statement and a writing assessment. The admission essay is extremely important to the application review process. Submit your essay in 600-700 words (about three pages) in 12-point font, double-spaced, clearly written, well-organized, with correct grammar, accurate spelling and punctuation, good sentence structure, and clear sub-headings. Make sure that you carefully address each of the following:
      • Pledge of Authorship: Please begin your admissions essay with the following statement: (Your essay will not be accepted if this is not included.) I, (complete name)____________________________________, verify that this admissions essay is my own work, and I am fully aware that discovery otherwise will invalidate my entire application.
      • Describe the kinds of responsibilities and positions you have held in your past work and professional experience (volunteer or employed), both IT-related and others.
      • Explain why you are pursuing an MIS - Generalist graduate certificate. Please note areas of particular interest and why you are interested.
      • Describe how a graduate certificate in MIS will enhance your career and life plans for the future.

    Courses and Requirements

    SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

    If the Director of the MIS Graduate Program determines that you have full prior competence in a certificate course, you may be given credit for the competency and allowed to take sufficient alternate credits to meet the total credit requirement of the certificate (e.g. if you have completed a graduate 4 credit Project Management course that is accepted, you would be allowed to consider that function completed within the Certificate, and can then take an alternate 4 credits, agreed upon with the Director).

    Requirements (22 credits)

    + Courses listed and four (4) additional MIS graduate level credits.

    Management Information Systems (MIS) evolved from essentially an organization's support operation to a strategic element of an organization's life and survival. This course explores information systems' new and expanding roles in the enterprise. Models examined showing how new technologies are assimilated into the organization, how to plan for systems within the overall strategic management process, assess the risk in system development projects, and become a "sophisticated user" of information systems. Traditional and new technologies are utilized. The course also includes a solid review of the strategic and tactical impact of computers, networks and new technologies. . This course broadens understanding of the design and implementation of various computerized information systems to support management decision making and evaluation, and prepares the student to integrate new technologies and configurations into the management process.

    Full course description for Management Information Systems

    This course provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of project leadership and management. Topics covered include all aspects of project management from project initiation issues, RFP formulation, proposal decisions, preparation, and evaluation, project planning and implementation to organization, risk assessment, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Also included are project planning techniques such as PERT, CPM, Earned Value Analysis, and project monitoring and simulation using Microsoft Project software.

    Full course description for Project Management

    Surveys of the skills desired by potential employers of graduate management students indicate that use and understanding of technology and its impact is highly valued. In this course you have the opportunity to examine technical architecture and build your skills while learning how to incorporate technology into your management "portfolio." The course uses case studies to review state-of-the-art equipment in each of the basic software and hardware families, while emphasizing management models and higher-level analysis using the computer. Practical projects are assigned giving students real-world opportunities to use these tools to enhance their work and build productivity. Participants will complete a comprehensive and highly practical class project and final exam.

    Full course description for Management of Distributed Computing

    This course provides students with techniques and strategies to work on complex business problems while exercising strong critical thinking skills. It also helps them develop potential solutions. This course then focuses on how to take the results of students' professional work and present complex material in a manner that helps them clearly explain and market their information.

    Full course description for Problem Formulation and Data Presentation

    Any IT development project contains significant risks. However, keeping the status quo is also risky in rapidly changing technological and competitive environments. This course is designed to familiarize the student with risk analysis concepts derived from many sources including financial, actuarial and statistical studies, insurance and risk analysis, software quality assurance methodologies, management and audit trails and many others. Student will learn to assess the risk in an information systems portfolio and develop strategies for managing the many risk types discussed: Prerequisites: MIS 600.

    Full course description for Risk Analysis in Information Technology

    Program planner