Management Information Systems Major

• What is Management Information Systems?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Management Information Systems?
• What Courses Do Management Information Systems Majors Take?
• List of Management Information Systems Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Management Information Systems Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Management Information Systems?

The management information systems major is of interest to students who wish to specialize in business-orientated information analysis and data processing. This curriculum provides a broad overview of computer based information systems, with special emphasis on business applications and managerial control. The use of computers has infiltrated every area of our society from food production, health sciences, technology, government and business. We depend on how data is acquired and processed. Private and governmental organizations generate large amounts of data such as personnel records, sales transactions, and production data and inventory records. In order to be successful, these organizations must find a way to manage their data. Management information systems majors focus on the design, implementation, and maintenance of computer systems. Management information systems is important to organizations on a management level where it is used to maintain and develop new ways not only to manage tremendous amounts of data, but to assist executives in making decisions. Management information systems professionals are primarily interested in using the computer to solve business problems. They provide high-technology solutions for problems that need to be addressed, problems such as sales forecasting, optimizing production, installing appropriate technology, analyzing trends, and displaying information in such a way that managers can make use of it. The management information systems major or its equivalent tends to be offered most frequently within a college of business administration.

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in Management Information Systems may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

Business Information	Business Systems Analysis and Design
Business Systems Networking	Computer Engineer
Computer Game Programming	Computer Programming
Computer Systems Analysis	Data Base Administration
Data Processing	Data Processing Technician
Desktop Publishing	Electronic Commerce
Information Systems	Information Technology
Management Information Systems	Network Analysis and Design
Web Design and Development

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What Kinds of Students Major in Management Information Systems?

In order to succeed in this major, a student should be interested in organizations and how they function, as well as in computing. This student also needs a strong grasp of oral and written communication skills. Working with computers in general requires the student to be able to concentrate, to deal with frustrations, to be a self-starter and to be motivated to learn on their own.

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What Courses Do Management Information Systems Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Management Information Systems majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Calculus	Computer Programming
Computer Systems	Data Base Fundamentals
Decision Support Systems	Desktop Publishing
Information Technology	Networking
Program Design	Software Engineering
Statistics

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List of Potential Jobs in Management Information Systems

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Communication Specialist	Computer Analyst
Computer Programmer	Database Specialist
Information Systems Manager	Internet Specialist
Networking Specialist	Project Leader
Software Engineer	Systems Development Manager
Systems Engineer	Systems Specialist
Technology Instructor	Technology Representative

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What is the Median Salary Range for Management Information Systems Careers?

U.S. Median Salary(starting):$49,400

U.S. Median Salary(mid-career):$87,200

Note: These numbers are national averages so you could make more or less than these amounts. Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Management Information Systems

MyMajors complete list has 1,034 schools in the USA with a major in Management Information Systems.
-View the national listing!

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