SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
DAVID L. MCKENNA HALL
206-281-2753
DJWYSOM@SPU.EDU
WWW.SPU.EDU/DEPTS/SBE

We live in a society that is increasingly dependent upon the exchange of information and information services. More and more organizations recognize that their information resources are high-value assets of strategic significance and they rely upon rapid access and evaluation of accurate information for their survival.

Today’s successful businesses can no longer maintain their strategic advantage without competent leadership from their IT organizations. This program develops those leaders with a strong balance of management, technology, and leadership skills needed to handle complex globally integrated systems.

The application of information technology and information systems is changing not only the way organizations do business but also organizational structures. Competition and cooperation in our global, networked, and dynamic environment has created a need for people who can work together in teams and apply information technology and information systems to meet organizations' information requirements.

The M.S.-ISM program serves managers who want to know how to apply information technology and information systems to solve important problems in organizations. It also serves systems analysts and designers with computer science backgrounds who need to understand the broader role of information systems in organizations. The program prepares a student to integrate information systems and business processes as a project manager, an information manager, and, ultimately, as a CIO.

The evolving curriculum of this program keeps up-to-date on the changing demands placed upon information systems managers.  Current topics emphasized in this program include: outsourcing models, large-scale integration projects, security and ethics, knowledge management and business intelligence, and other related special topics, such as health informatics, retail information systems, manufacturing information systems, and others.

To gain the most out of the ISM degree, students are encouraged to specialize in one of our two tracks. The systems integration track is more technically focused providing for a mastery of information flow integration. The program management track is more managerially focused on the complexities of managing people, projects, programs, and systems. 

Systems Integration Track

This track focuses on ensuring the free flow of information in a business, enabling the implementation and management of the business strategy and operations.

Accomplishing this calls for the integration of the IT infrastructure, IS applications, and business data supporting the business world using today’s and tomorrow’s technology.

The systems integration track provides the student with a focus on the strategic, technological, financial, and organizational issues and matching these issues with the right technology, applications, and data across the enterprise.  This track builds on the core courses in information systems management and requires three of the following four courses:

• ISM 6345  Distributed Applications
• ISM 6255  Knowledge Management & Business Intelligence
• ISM 6910 Seminar in Info Systems Management
• ISM 6930  ISM Consulting Practicum

Program Management Track

This track provides the student with a focus on ensuring the successful development and implementation of an organization's information systems. The student will focus gain further expertise in the areas of project management, organizational structures and behavior, as well as strategy and system development standards. In addition to the core ISM courses, the student will choose three of the following four courses:

• BUS 6367 Project Management
• ISM 6335 IT Engineering Management
• BUS 6365 The High Technology Enterprise
• BUS 6263 Designing Organizations 

SPU's School of Business and Economics is committed to providing an applied, experiential, and collaborative learning environment in which information systems and Christian faith, ethics, and character are integrated. A team-centered educational approach provides students with opportunities for extensive group work and group interaction. Hands-on application of information technology is emphasized.

The objectives of the information systems management (ISM) program are to develop students' ability to do the following:

• Provide values-based leadership in the planning, development, and management of information systems.
• Effectively integrate information systems with business strategies, processes, and decision making.
• Evaluate the effects of information systems on organizations and personnel, and assist in managing the resultant transitions.
• Communicate effectively, work in teams, and self-assess personal abilities, strengths and weaknesses.

DEVELOPING IT LEADERS

This program develops IT leaders who will apply information technology and information systems to solve important problems in organizations. Students are prepared to lead and manage the integration of information systems and business processes as a project manager, an information manager, and, ultimately, as a CIO.

SPU's School of Business and Economics (SBE) is committed to providing an applied, experiential, and collaborative learning environment in which information systems and Christian faith, ethics, and character are integrated.

A team-centered educational approach provides students with opportunities for extensive group work and group interaction. Hands-on application of information technology is emphasized. The objectives of the information systems management (ISM) program are to develop students' ability to do the following:

• Provide values-based leadership in the planning, development, and management of information systems.
• Effectively integrate information systems with business strategies, processes, and decision making.
• Evaluate the effects of information systems on organizations and personnel, and assist in managing the resultant transitions.
• Communicate effectively, work in teams, and self-assess personal abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

ADMISSION
Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate studies, GRE scores of at least 525 quantitative and 450 verbal and evidence of at least one year of continuous, full-time, substantive work experience.

A TOEFL score of more than 225 for the computer-based test (or equivalent TOEIC scores) is preferred for international (ESL) applicants.

Those with experience or scores that do not satisfy these minimums should also submit two letters of recommendation from employers and a three- to four-page personal statement that responds to essay questions available from the school.

PRE-QUALIFIED STUDENTS
Qualified individuals may take up to two background courses if they have an undergraduate degree (as evidenced by an official transcript from an accredited institution); a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0; and a minimum of one year full-time work experience (as evidenced by a current résumé).

Prequalified students may not take advanced or elective courses. If they wish to continue in a graduate program, they must apply for admission. Prequalified status does not guarantee full admission at a later date.

APPLICATION DEADLINES
The School of Business and Economics admits students for all three academic quarters, as well as Summer Session.

The application for admission, application fee, and personal statement (essay) must be received by the dates listed below. Recommendation letters, transcripts, and test scores must all arrive before an admission decision can be made.

CONTACTS
Admission into the ISM program at Seattle Pacific University is administered by the School of Business and Economics. All correspondence and admission materials should be directed to the associate graduate director.

Questions or requests for an admission application may be directed to the associate graduate director at 206-281-2753, faxed to 206-281-2733, or emailed to ism@spu.edu. For more information, visit www.spu.edu/sbe.

PREREQUISITES
Students must show familiarity with programming or web development. Skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and databases are also prerequisite.

Background courses generally precede and are sometimes prerequisite to other core or elective courses. Background courses (6 credit hours) cover basic business processes that must be understood to achieve the program's objectives.

Many students have covered some or all of this subject matter in an undergraduate program. If so, it is possible to waive background courses on the following basis:

1. If the student has a bachelor's degree that was earned within seven years of admission to the ISM program, any courses completed that cover the same body of knowledge as background courses in the ISM program may be waived. To qualify, a minimum grade of B or better must have been received in the undergraduate course. Courses taken pass/no credit will not waive the ISM background-course requirement.
   
2. If the bachelor's degree was completed more than seven years prior to admission, or if the grade in the undergraduate course is below B but not below C+, the student may take a competency examination in the subject. Competency tests must be completed within the year following the student's date of admission to the program. If the competency examination is successfully completed, the applicable ISM course will be waived. If not, the student must take the ISM course as a regular student or successfully complete a credit by examination test for which tuition and an examination fee are charged.

REQUIRED COURSES
Required courses total 36 credit hours. These courses may not be waived and transfer credit from other institutions will be given only for graduate-level courses covering the same body of knowledge. Students may transfer a maximum of three courses (9 credits) from other institutions with the approval of the School of Business and Economics director of graduate studies.

ELECTIVE COURSES (9 credit hours)
Elective course offerings will vary each year based on student interest and relevance of subject matter to the information systems community.

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