Management Information Systems

Learn about Smeal's Management Information Systems major. Gain information about activities, careers, and faculty.

Contact Information

Smeal College of Business
The Pennsylvania State University
454 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802

Phone: 814-865-1866
Email: scis@smeal.psu.edu
On the Web: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/scis

Management Information Systems Major Video

Career Overview

Data is everywhere: location-based from smart phones, social media, text, corporate data, and more. Companies need to analyze this data to get meaningful information to the people who need it. Hence, Management Information Systems (MIS) lives in the space that intersects technology and business. Our graduates create and use technology tools to improve and benefit businesses.

“For business leaders, analytics is no longer just a technology issue, it is a strategy and operational issue. Big data and analytics is a disruptive innovation that is transforming our everyday lives. Enterprises need a holistic plan for creating competitive advantage, identifying opportunities and ultimately measuring value. We believe that there is tremendous value to be gained by those organizations that leverage analytics to transform their business processes and how they make decisions.”

— Chris Mazzi and Carmine Di Sibio, EY

Management Information Systems professionals use business intelligence tools to design informative and graphical applications, allowing executives to make strategic decisions analytically. Smeal MIS graduates are well prepared for careers in industry, consulting, and government sectors as business analytics specialists and systems analysis professionals.

Employment Prospects

Students majoring in Management Information Systems have countless options when thinking about internships and full-time jobs. Career paths for MIS students include consulting, retail, government, and manufacturing. MIS majors gain core competencies to succeed in their fields by learning to explore, analyze, integrate, and report business data; students excel in developing proficiency in business analytics, competency in system analysis and design, and mastering of core business processes. To learn more about the MIS major, watch the video at vimeo.com/252939833.

Students majoring in Management Information Systems (MIS) have access to the Smeal Business Career Center. More information can be found at: careerconnections.smeal.psu.edu/channels/management-information-systems.

In addition to job-placement services, the department partners with the Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR) in hosting a fall and spring career fair attended by more than 100 companies.

Major Overview

The MIS major focuses on technology-supported techniques for exploring, analyzing, integrating, and reporting business data to facilitate fact-based decision making and enterprise-wide management. MIS students develop proficiency in business analytics, competency in systems analysis and design, and mastery of core business processes.

Preparing to Enroll in the Major

Enrollment in the MIS major is contingent upon several criteria, which include the timing and completion of a specified range of cumulative credits at Penn State. Students apply for the major once they have earned a minimum of 40 but no more than 59 cumulative credits. These credits include required business foundation and related courses. In addition to the course and credit window requirements, students must attain an overall competitive GPA in all courses.

MIS Major Requirements

Complete all of the following Management Information Systems courses (18 credits). A grade of “C” or better is required in all MIS courses, including MIS 250.

MIS 301 (3) Business Analytics (Prerequisites: SCM 200 or STAT 200; Concurrent: MATH 110 or MATH 140, MIS 250)

MIS 431 (3) Business Data Management (Prerequisite: MIS 301; Concurrent: SCM 301)

MIS 432 (3) Business Information System Analysis (Concurrent: MIS 431)

MIS 441 (3) Business Intelligence for Decision Making (Prerequisite: MIS 431)

MIS 446 (3) Information Technology and Business Strategy (Prerequisite: MIS 301)

Select a Two-Piece Sequence (6 credits) from one of the areas below or complete a designated University minor.

Accounting
Business Law
Business Sustainability
Corporate Diversity
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Economics
Finance
International Business
Management
Marketing
Real Estate
Risk Management
Supply Chain and Information Systems

MIS Highlights

Consider some of the other factors that help to enhance the environment for MIS students at the Smeal College of Business.

Top Ranked

Penn State and Smeal have consistently received top rankings from employers. Recruiters surveyed by Bloomberg Businessweek have continually ranked Smeal in the top ten in recent years.

Student Events

The Supply Chain and Information Systems Department hosts a variety of student events each year, including fall and spring career fairs and career exploration sessions for MIS majors. First-year and second-year students can also learn more about majors, careers, and involvement opportunities at Explore Smeal.

Information Systems Management (ISM) Minor

This interdisciplinary minor is designed for students of other majors interested in the study of technology-supported techniques for exploring, analyzing, integrating, and reporting business data to facilitate fact-based decisions. The coursework enables students to study basic concepts, principles, and methods for business analytics and to gain an understanding of the best practices for aligning IT-supported analytics with business strategy.

Key Department Contacts

Department Chair

Kevin Linderman
Email: kfl5390@psu.edu

Assistant Chair

Norm Aggon
Email: nxa12@psu.edu