2017-2018 Graduate Course Catalog 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Information Management, MS


Contact:

Carsten Oesterlund, Program Director, 309 Hinds Hall, 315-443-2911, igrad@syr.edu

Website:

https://ischool.syr.edu/academics/graduate/masters-degrees/ms-in-information-management/

Overview:

Information has a fundamental effect on the structure, process and success of all organizations. Those who can manage the tools of information acquisition, use, retention and transfer can enable their organizations to develop and leverage strategic advantages based upon information. Along with these advantages comes also the responsibility to set forth and manage policies for the use and protection of information resources at all levels across the enterprise.

The Master of Science in Information Management (MS-IM) is designed to prepare students to respond to four basic challenges confronting organizations today:

  • Increasing the effectiveness of managers and executives who work with information resources;
  • Designing and managing mission-critical information technologies within organizations;
  • Developing corporate and government policies to maximize the benefits resulting from the widespread use of these technologies; and
  • Leveraging information resources to achieve strategic advantage for business, government, and nonprofit organizations.

The iSchool at Syracuse University is a leading center for defining both the theory and the practice of information management. Like the school itself, the MS-IM program is interdisciplinary in focus, combining expertise in the strategic management of information resources, organizational psychology, human-computer interaction, information economics, information policy, e-business, information technology, as well as data management.

Professional Values and Competencies:

MS-IM graduates acquire skills in management and organizational change, solution analysis and design, communication and collaboration, business process improvement, and applied information technology. Our graduates learn to approach challenges with strategic vision, while ensuring that technology solutions integrate with enterprise goals.

Learning Outcomes:

MS-IM graduates have a diverse set of skills that enable them to participate at all levels of information technology management. They are expected to acquire competencies in the following:

  • Management of Technology: Integrate technical and solution development concepts with the principles of management, strategy, and financial analysis; apply these concepts in the analysis of management case studies and problems; analyze, compare, evaluate, and clearly articulate the relative value of IT investment alternatives.
  • Management of Solution Development: Apply disciplines used in the development of information system solutions, to solve organizational and business problems.
  • Technical Knowledge: Apply information and computing technologies to solve information problems at the individual and organizational levels.
  • Environmental Context of IM: Explain how demographic, social, economic and ethical factors, as well as local, national and international information policy and regulation affect Information Technology solutions.
  • Professional Communication Skills: Develop and deliver professional communications in the field.
  • Leadership and Teamwork Development: Demonstrate leadership, ethics, and effective collaboration skills. 
  • Information Literacy, Analysis, and Problem Solving: Find, organize, manage, evaluate, and use information resources critically and effectively for the solution of professional problems.

Student Learning Outcomes


1.Management of Technology:  Integrate technical and solution development concepts with the principles of management, strategy, and financial analysis.  Apply these concepts in the analysis of management case studies and problems.  Analyze, compare, evaluate, and clearly articulate the relative value of IT investment alternatives.

2.Management of Solution Development:  Apply disciplines used in the development of information system solutions, to solve organizational and business problems.

3.Technical Knowledge: Apply information and computing technologies to solve information problems at the individual and organizational levels.

4.Environmental Context of IM: Explain how demographic, social, economic and ethical factors, as well as local, national and international information policy and regulation affect IT solutions.

5.Evolution of the IM Field: Describe the history and current state of the management of information technology. Create and evaluate plausible scenarios for the future evolution of technology and the field.

6. Professional Communication Skills: Develop and deliver professional communications in the field.

7. Leadership and Teamwork Development: Demonstrate effective collaboration skills.

8. Information Literacy, Analysis, and Problem-Solving: Find, organize, manage, evaluate, and use information resources effectively for the solution of professional problems.

Curriculum:


The MS-IM program is undergoing curriculum changes, expected to be finalized during the 2017-2018 academic year.  Please refer to the MS-IM Advising check sheet or Advising Handbook on the iSchool website for the most up to date curriculum list.  https://ischool.syr.edu/academics/advising/handbooks-checksheets/.

The curriculum requires 42 graduate credits.  All courses are 3 graduate credits unless specified otherwise.

The 42-credit curriculum includes a 10-credit primary core requirement, a 15-credit secondary core requirement across three core areas, 8 to 14 credits of electives, and a 3 to 9 credit exit requirement. Listed below are guidelines for credit reductions and substitutions on the basis of the students professional full-time work experience. The master’s degree program must be completed within seven years although most students complete the degree in two years. The program is available to part-time and distance students and can be completed at the student’s own pace through evening, short courses, and online delivery.

I. Primary core (10 credits)


IST 614   and IST 621  must be taken the first semester of the student’s program, unless specifically advised otherwise. It is recommended students take IST 618 in their second or third semester. 

II. Secondary Core (15 credits)


Courses other than those listed below may apply to the Secondary Core.  A formal Petition is required for students who want to count a course towards the MS-IM program that is not listed in the curriculum.  Please email iAdvising@syr.edu to learn more about the Petition process.

III. Electives (8 to 11 credits)


All iSchool courses are acceptable electives towards the MS-IM program, including ‘Selected Topics’ courses, listed as IST 500, 600, or 700.  These courses are offered based on sufficient interest of a topic and not covered by standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.  In addition, students are allowed to take up to 6 elective credits from other schools at Syracuse University, such as the Whitman School of Management or the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

IV. Exit Requirement (3 to 9 credits)


Guidelines for Credit Reductions and Substitutions


  • Students with one to three years of full-time professional experience in the information technology field may substitute the internship requirement for another 3-credit course.  Your resume is required, and we may also request joining-leaving letters which may be audited.  Please email iAdvising@syr.edu to learn more about this process.
  • Students with a minimum of three years of full-time professional experience in the information technology field may reduce the credit requirement of the program by three credits, substituted by work experience.  Your resume is required and we may also request joining-leaving letters which may be audited.  Please email iAdvising@syr.edu to learn more about this process.

Executive Track


Master of Science in Information Management for Executives


Contact:

Carsten Oesterlund, Program Director, 309 Hinds Hall, 315-443-2911, igrad@syr.edu

Website:

https://ischool.syr.edu/academics/graduate/masters-degrees/ms-information-management-for-executives/

Overview:

The Master of Science (MS) in Information Management for Executives (EXIM) at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies (iSchool) is a 30-credit degree program that offers our MS in Information Management (MSIM) degree at a reduced course load to students with six or more years of appropriate full-time, professional experience in the information management field. Our Executive IM program will confer a Master’s of Science in Information Management.

The iSchool’s Information Management for Executives program offers:

  • Flexibility. Earn the degree completely online, take classes on campus, or combine the two to perfectly fit your schedule.

  • Quality. Take classes from the same accomplished faculty who teach in our 42-credit Master’s in Information Management program.

  • Individuality. Tailor your coursework to fill knowledge gaps, or deepen your existing knowledge to develop a specialty.

  • Marketability. Add a degree from the No. 1 ranked school in information systems to your resume.

 

This degree program can be completed on campus, online, or through a combination of both options. Students take the same classes and learn from the same accomplished faculty members who teach in the 42-credit hour program. They can tailor their coursework to fill knowledge gaps or deepen their existing knowledge to develop a specialty.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the executive program, applicants must be strong candidates for leadership roles in the information Management field, as demonstrated by at least six years of relevant experience and a record of continuingly increasing job responsibilities.

 

Curriculum:

The MS-EXIM program is undergoing curriculum changes, expected to be finalized during the 2017-2018 academic year.  Please refer to the MS-EXIM Advising check sheet on the iSchool website for the most up to date curriculum list.  https://ischool.syr.edu/academics/advising/handbooks-checksheets/.

The 30-credit curriculum for students in the M.S. in Information Management: Executive Track (MS-EXIM) includes:

  1. Primary Core (9 credits)
  2. Secondary Core (9 credits)
  3. Electives (9 credits)
  4. Exit Requirement (3 credits)

The curriculum requires 30 graduate credits.  All courses are 3 graduate credits unless specified otherwise.

I. Primary Core (9 credits)


Students can choose 9 credits in one track, or a mix of all three.  Courses other than those listed below may apply to the Primary Core.  A formal Petition is required for students who want to count a course towards the MS-EXIM program that is not listed in the advising check sheet.  Please email iAdvising@syr.edu to learn more about the Petition process.

II. Secondary Core (9 credits)


III. Electives (9 credits)


All iSchool courses are acceptable electives towards the MS-EXIM program, including ‘Selected Topics’ courses, listed as IST 500, 600, or 700.  These courses are offered based on sufficient interest of a topic and not covered by standard curriculum, but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.  Students are allowed to take up to 6 elective credits from other schools at Syracuse University, such as the Whitman School of Management or the College of Engineering and Computer Science.    In addition to formal courses, students may fashion an independent study by collaborating with a faculty member.

IV. Exit Requirement (3 credits)