Information Systems Technologies, Master of Science

Information Systems Technologies M.S. Admission

Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information and requirements.

If you are an international student, please contact International Student Admissions for additional information.

1. Submit a Graduate Application

A $35 non-refundable application fee is required.

2. Submit official transcripts

A conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Official transcripts should be sent electronically or by mail to:

Wilmington University

Office of Admissions

320 N Dupont Highway

New Castle, DE 19720

Any transcripts from institutions outside of the United States require an official course-by-course evaluation by a NACES.org approved agency.

Note: In order to receive financial aid official transcripts must be on file

3. Program Planning Conference

To schedule your Program Planning Conference with your Program Advisor, complete an Online Request form

4. Register for your first courses.

The Master of Science - Information Systems Technologies program uses the APA Research Format for all research papers. If you are not familiar with this citation system, please consider taking Wilmington University's introductory academic writing seminar: Student Success Seminar:  APA Style for Graduate Students.

Program Purpose

The express purpose of Wilmington University’s Master of Science program in Information Systems Technologies is to provide and advance the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by perspective and current Information Technology (IT) professionals for managing information systems. Students completing the program will obtain a better understanding of the relationship between business requirements and technology solutions with an emphasis on applying a systems approach when integrating information technology into strategic business/education/government activities. Moreover, the program capitalizes on the inter-disciplinary nature of modern information systems and the settings in which they are implemented, the MS-IST Program includes four career concentrations.

Program Competencies

The graduate student who successfully completes the M.S. in Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST) program will have a level of applicable knowledge in the following areas as appropriate to one’s field of study: 

MS-IST Information Assurance Concentration

  • Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
  • Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
  • Information Assurance Principles - Apply the principles of Information Assurance used to manage risks related to one or more of the following:  Use, Processing, Storage, and Transmission of information or data.
  • Information Assurance Ethics and Practices - Assess the ethical practices associated with implementing IA policy, Standards and Regulation combined with systemic interrelationships within an organization
  • Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
  • Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.

MS-IST Management and Management Information Systems Concentration

  • Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
  • Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
  • Systems Theory - Evaluate the appropriateness of using systems thinking when defining diagnosing and/or developing an IS/IT system.
  • Software-driven Systems - Differentiate between effective and ineffective IT strategies and/or plans for updating integrating or implementing software-driven systems.
  • Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
  • Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.

MS-IST Technology Project Management Concentration

  • Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
  • Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
  • Technology Project Management Knowledge - Identify, define, and analyze various aspects of Technology Project Management Knowledge.
  • Organizational Influences - Define and analyze organizational influences upon Technology Projects.
  • Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
  • Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.

MS-IST Web Design Concentration

  • Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
  • Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
  • Web Design Tools - Apply Web Design operations and tools.
  • Web Design Quality - Evaluate and apply Web Design quality and standards.
  • Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
  • Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.

Program Design

Students who successfully complete the graduate degree program in Information Systems Technologies will possess a working command of current informational practices that can immediately be applied in business, educational, and governmental organizations regardless of size. Degree recipients will be capable of managing complex projects from inception to completion, including professional services engagements and the acquisition and management of informational infrastructure. The managerial nature of this program is closely aligned with the business curriculum at Wilmington University, but with a decidedly technological (or alternatively, a “design”) leaning. As each student is expected to choose a concentration that caters to their vocational predispositions, competencies in the management of specifically tailored aspects of technology, and the synergies attributable to an interdisciplinary learning approach, are expected to be program outcomes. Students graduating from the MS-IST program should be prepared to provide leadership in the Information Systems (IS) field. Graduates will have the following skills, knowledge, and values:

  • A core of IS knowledge
  • Integration of IS and business foundations
  • Broad business and real -world perspectives
  • Communication, interpersonal, and team skills
  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Specific skills leading to a career

MS-IST Core Course Requirements (18 credits)

Concurrently or after completing the selected concentration courses, student will complete core course requirements and the IST 8105 capstone.

Select six courses (18 credits) from the following list:
IST 6090Special Topics in Information Systems Technologies

3

IST 7000Data Management

3

IST 7020Analysis, Modeling, and Design

3

IST 7040Data Communications and Networking

3

IST 7060Project and Change Management

3

IST 7080Cloud Management

3

IST 7100IT Policy and Strategy

3

IST 8101Field Experience/Internship

3

 

Information Assurance Concentration (15 credits)

Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete the prerequisite course SEC 6010 and three (3) other SEC 6000 series courses from the following list as well as SEC 7050 Information Assurance Integration/Capstone and the IST 8105 Capstone.

MAJ 7000/MHS 7000Contemporary Issues in Homeland Security

3

SEC 6010Planning for Information Security

3

SEC 6015Cloud Security Essentials

3

SEC 6030Operating System and Computer Systems Security

3

SEC 6040Web and Data Security

3

SEC 6050Security Data Analytics

3

SEC 6060Incident Handling and Response

3

SEC 6070Penetration Testing

3

SEC 6080Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security

3

SEC 6082SCADA Architecture

3

SEC 6084SCADA Risk Management and Auditing

3

SEC 6086SCADA Security Awareness and Standards

3

SEC 6090Topics in Information Assurance

3


Integration/Capstone Course

SEC 7050Information Assurance Integration/Capstone

3

After completing six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Information Assurance Concentration courses, students will complete the IST8105 Capstone.

Management and Management Information Systems Concentration (15 credits)

Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete five (5) courses from the following list and the IST 8105 capstone.

MGT 6400Global Leadership

3

MGT 7300Business Finance

3

MGT 7504Ethical Issues in Management

3

MGT 7508Change Management

3

MGT 7591Leadership and Communication

3

MGT 7750Strategy and Decision-Making

3

MGT 7900Topics in Management

3

After completing six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Management and Management Information Systems Concentration courses, students will complete the IST8105 Capstone.

Technology Project Management Concentration (15 credits)

After completing IST 7060 and either concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete five (5) courses from the following list and the IST 8105 Capstone.

IPM 6015Project Scoping and Scheduling

3

IPM 6030IT/IS Project Risk Management

3

IPM 6040IT/IS Project Quality Management

3

IPM 6050Agile Project Management

3

IPM 6060Technology Project Leadership and Teamwork

3

IPM 6090Special Topics in IT/IS Project Management

3

After completing six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Technology Project Management Concentration courses, students will complete the IST8105 Capstone.

Web Design Concentration (15 credits)

Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete the pre-requisite course DSN 6000 and three (3) other DSN 6000 series courses from the following list as well as DSN 7010 Web Design Integration/Capstone and the IST 8105 Capstone.

DSN 6000Web Design and Architecture

3

DSN 6040Web Design with JavaScript

3

DSN 6050Markup Languages Advanced Authoring

3

DSN 6060Database/Web Design Integration

3

DSN 6073Server-Side Web Development

3

DSN 6080Internet Development/Design for Competitive Advantage

3

DSN 6090Topics in Web Design and Programming

3


Integration/Capstone Course

 
DSN 7010Web Design Integration/Capstone Course

3

After completing six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Web Design Concentration courses, students will complete the IST8105 Capstone.

Capstone Course (3 credits)

All students in the M.S. IST Program will complete the IST 8105 Capstone.

IST 8105IST Capstone

3

 

Qualifications for Degree

To qualify for the Master of Science degree in Information Systems Technologies, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 36 credit hours (12 courses), which includes IST core requirements, 15 credits in an IST concentration, and 3 credits IST8105 Capstone course. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. The program must be completed within five years.