The ISOM Department offers the MS in Business Analytics and the MS in Information Systems.  These programs are AACSB-International accredited and STEM approved.

Our graduate students are prepared for advancement in rewarding and challenging careers in such fields as business analyst, systems analyst, project management, systems design, and business analytics.  Other College of Business graduate students can enhance their expertise in specific areas by using Information Systems, Operations Management, and Business Statistics courses as electives.

Our advisors are:

Dr. Kay-Yut Chen, Ph.D. Coordinator

Statistics and Operations Management (Business Administration)

Dr. Carolyn Davis, Graduate Advisor

Information Systems, MS

Business Analytics, MS

Dr. Radha Mahapatra, Ph.D. Coordinator

Information Systems (Business Administration)

Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)

OBJECTIVE

The Master of Science in Business Analytics is designed to prepare graduates to identify and implement opportunities for the strategic use of business analytics with an emphasis on business.  Students gain knowledge of a broad range of disciplines and functions in the business as well as specialized knowledge of business analytics and its accompanying skill set. An intensive curriculum covering business intelligence, data mining, econometrics, marketing research, statistical techniques prepares students for careers in the field of business analytics.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA) program is based on completion of the general admission requirements of the Graduate School as specified under the Graduate Admissions Requirements and Procedures in the Graduate Catalog.

The Department has one set of conditions that allow applicants to be unconditionally admitted without review by the Graduate Studies Committee. The MSBA Graduate Advisor reviews all applications and determines if they qualify for admission under this set of criteria. Applicants who do not satisfy the following set of conditions for unconditional admission are referred to the Graduate Studies Committee for consideration.

Unconditional Admission Without Committee Review

Applicants qualify for unconditional admission without the need for review by the Graduate Studies Committee if they meet the following set of unconditional admission criteria:

Unconditional Admission

Individuals who meet each of the following two conditions are given unconditional admission:

• Applicant holds an earned bachelor's degree from an AACSB-accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and
• GMAT total score is at least 550 with verbal and quantitative score at the 50th percentile or higher, on both. GRE scores will be considered if the verbal and quantitative score is at the 50th percentile or higher, on both.

In addition, international applicants must meet the following condition:

• Successfully complete a face-to-face interview (either in person or online) with the MSBA Graduate Advisor.

Admission with Committee Review

Applicants who require committee review are considered for admission using the following factors, with no single factor used as the primary criterion for making admission decisions.

• Undergraduate and graduate GPA (overall, major, and last 60 hours) and program accreditation status of the applicant's degree granting institution;
• Score on the GMAT/GRE (including separate scores on the verbal and quantitative portions);
• Applicant's professional work experience and professional certification/licensure; and
• Letters of reference and personal statement provided by the applicant.

By considering the totality of the applicant's circumstances, including the factors listed above, the Graduate Studies Committee will evaluate an applicant's readiness to successfully complete the graduate program. Depending on the judgment of the committee, the decision may be to grant unconditional admission, probationary admission, provisional admission, deferred admission, or to deny admission. The decision of the committee is final. An applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate a sufficient level of skill with the English language to assure success in graduate studies as defined under Admissions Requirements and Procedures in the Graduate Catalog. International applicants must submit a TOEFL score or IELTS score that meets the standards as listed in the admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

The MSBA is a non-thesis program consisting of 36 semester hours to include the following required courses in the areas of business acumen and communication, data acquisition and architecture, and statistics and analytics.  Electives sufficient to complete the program are selected with approval of the MSBA Graduate Advisor.  When there is equivalent work/course experience, the student must meet with the MSBA Graduate Advisor to select alternate coursework.

ACCT 5307	MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS DECISION-MAKING	3
MANA 5344	EVIDENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT	3
INSY 5337	DATA WAREHOUSING AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE	3
INSY 5339	PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS DATA MINING	3
ECON 5337	BUSINESS & ECONOMIC FORECASTING	3
INSY 5379	BUSINESS ANALYTICS CAPSTONE PROJECT	3
Elective courses approved by the Graduate Advisor.		18
Total Hours		36

When the applicant does not have a business degree, three of the following courses will be required as electives in the program.

ACCT 5301	ACCOUNTING ANALYSIS I	3
ECON 5311	ECONOMIC ANALYSIS	3
FINA 5311	BUSINESS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	3
MARK 5311	MARKETING	3
MANA 5312	MANAGING THE ENTERPRISE	3

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 9 hours of advanced coursework may be transferred in from other AACSB-accredited schools if approved by the MSBA Graduate Advisor.

Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)

Objective

The Master of Science in Information Systems is designed to provide graduates with both a general knowledge of business and a specialized knowledge of information systems. Students are exposed to the theory, research, and practical applications of numerous information systems areas including management information systems, database management systems, systems analysis and design, and data communications; and may take electives in general systems concepts, electronic commerce, business analytics, problem formulation, computer science, management sciences, research, and other related fields. The program is designed to prepare students for information systems careers in business and industry, as well as in government and nonprofit organizations.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the M.S. in Information Systems (MSIS) program is based on completion of the general admission requirements as specified under the Graduate Admissions Requirements and Procedures in the Graduate Catalog.

The Department has two alternative sets of conditions that allow applicants to be unconditionally admitted without review by the Department's Graduate Studies Committee. The MSIS Graduate Advisor reviews all applications and determines if they qualify for admission under one of these two sets of criteria. Applicants who do not satisfy any of the following sets of conditions for unconditional admission are referred to the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee for consideration.

Unconditional Admission Without Committee Review

Applicants qualify for unconditional admission without the need for review by the Departmental Graduate Committee if they meet any one of the following two sets of unconditional admission criteria:

Unconditional Admission Set #1: GMAT Condition

Individuals who meet each of the following two conditions are given unconditional admission:

• Applicant holds an earned bachelor's degree from an AACSB-accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and
• GMAT total score is at least 520 with verbal and quantitative score at the 36th percentile or higher, on both. The GMAT is preferred, however, GRE scores will be considered if the verbal and quantitative score is at the 50th percentile or higher, on both.

Unconditional Admission Set #2: GMAT Waiver Condition

This unconditional admission set #2 focuses on satisfying the following criteria.

• Graduated from UTA within three years of expected entrance into the graduate program with a BS/BBA in Information Systems (or related degree) with a minimum of 3.25 overall GPA and 3.25 information systems GPA.

Admission with Committee Review

Applicants who require committee review are considered for admission using the following factors, with no single factor used as the primary criterion for making admission decisions.

• Undergraduate and graduate GPA (overall, major, and last 60 hours) and program accreditation status of the applicant's degree granting institution;
• Score on the GMAT/GRE (including separate scores on the verbal and quantitative portions);
• Applicant's professional work experience and professional certification/licensure; and
• Letters of reference and personal statement provided by the applicant.

By considering the totality of the applicant's circumstances, including the factors listed above, the Graduate Studies Committee will evaluate an applicant's readiness to successfully complete the graduate program. Depending on the judgment of the committee, the decision may be to grant unconditional admission, probationary admission, provisional admission, deferred admission, or to deny admission. The decision of the committee is final. An applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate a sufficient level of skill with the English language to assure success in graduate studies as defined under Admissions Requirements and Procedures in the Graduate Catalog. International applicants must submit a TOEFL score or IELTS score that meets the standards as listed in the admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

The Department of Information Systems and Operations Management provides two Master’s tracks: a Thesis Option for those intending to later pursue a Ph.D. in Information Systems, and a Non-Thesis track, a traditional flexible option. The thesis track program provides preparation for entry into a Ph.D. program. The second option is the flexible non-thesis program enabling a degree candidate greater flexibility in designing their program.

The thesis option consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours

Master of Science in Information Systems: Thesis Option

BSTAT 5325	ADVANCED METHODS FOR ANALYTICS	3
INSY 5337	DATA WAREHOUSING AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE	3
INSY 5339	PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS DATA MINING	3
INSY 5342	ADVANCED SYSTEMS DESIGN	3
INSY 5373	INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROJECT MANAGEMENT	3
Elective courses approved by the Graduate Advisor. Foundation courses may not be used as advanced electives.		9
Thesis work taken in the last semester		6
Total Hours		30

The thesis student must be enrolled in six hours of thesis. Once the student is enrolled in the thesis course, continuous enrollment is expected. The student must be enrolled in six hours of thesis during the semester in which the thesis is defended and the final Master’s Examination is unconditionally passed. The degree candidate must defend the thesis in a final oral examination open to all members of the Faculty.

The non-thesis option consists of 33 semester hours.

Master of Science in Information Systems: Non-Thesis Option

BSTAT 5325	ADVANCED METHODS FOR ANALYTICS	3
INSY 5337	DATA WAREHOUSING AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE	3
INSY 5339	PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS DATA MINING	3
INSY 5342	ADVANCED SYSTEMS DESIGN	3
INSY 5373	INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROJECT MANAGEMENT	3
INSY 5375	MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES	3
Elective courses approved by the Graduate Advisor. Foundation courses may not be used as advanced electives.		15
Total Hours		33

The non-thesis option electives can be focused in two tracks: systems development and business analytics. The systems development track concentrates on the analysis, design, and implementation of business systems and their management issues. Courses in this track cover such topics as object-oriented technology, data base design, advanced systems design techniques, and project management. The business analytics track concentrates on technologies and skills needed to analyze big data to gain insights which help improve business decisions and planning. Courses in this track would cover such topics as data mining, data warehousing, statistical computing, and selective statistics topics. The student must meet with the MSIS Graduate Advisor to determine the appropriate coursework for the selected track.

When there is equivalent coursework, the student must meet with the MSIS Graduate Advisor to select alternate coursework. An approved 3-credit hour graduate internship (INSY 5399 GRADUATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTERNSHIP) may also be taken as an elective.  Students who do not have coursework in information systems will be required to take INSY 5309, INSY 5335, and INSY 5341 as part of their electives.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 9 hours of advanced coursework may be transferred in from other AACSB-accredited schools if approved by the MSIS Graduate Advisor.