Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
Department of Data Analytics and Information Systems
Graduate Program
Objectives
Opportunities in the information systems and technology sectors continue to be among the hottest and most rewarding across the job market. The MMIS program is an exciting and hands-on pathway to these careers that comprise a majority of Glassdoor’s annual top 25 “Best Jobs in America,” including enterprise architect, devops engineer, data engineer, Java developer, cloud engineer, information security engineer, data scientist, software developer, and others.
The MMIS program allows students to customize their course of study by selecting two post-baccalaureate certificates from tracks that include Data Technologies, Data Engineering, Data Analytics, Web Development, and Cybersecurity. Careers in information systems and data technologies are multidisciplinary and require teamwork, critical thinking, and communication. Well-qualified applicants are encouraged to apply from any background (including non-technical areas of study or employment) in which they have developed and applied these skills. Upon acceptance into the MMIS program, students will meet with the MMIS program coordinator to select certificate tracks that best complement their individual prior experience.
Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of the MMIS program. Applicants should generally expect to start the MMIS program in fall semester. For admission, applicants will be required to submit the following, in addition to the application form: an application fee, all undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose describing why they are interested in the MMIS program. All materials will be uploaded or sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students whose native language is not English. International students with a prior degree from a university in an English-speaking country are exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS exam. No application will be considered until all required information is received by the School of Graduate Studies. The School of Graduate Studies requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 credits. For further requirements from the School of Graduate Studies please consult the following website: https://gradschool.usu.edu/apply.
Degree Requirements
Students are individually responsible for meeting coursework requirements as outlined below. Students should ensure that they are aware of all requirements and initiate resolution of any apparent inconsistencies. MMIS students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted. Modifications or substitutions for the listed MMIS course requirements can be made with department approval, but a student’s Program of Study must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above. Please also note these additional requirements from the USU School of Graduate Studies:
- All MMIS students must submit and receive approval from the School of Graduate Studies for their Supervisory Committee form and Program of Study. The Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) for the DAIS department can assist with these forms.
- Credits in the following areas are not acceptable for the MMIS program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 3000.
- Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.
- At least 24-semester credits for the MMIS program must be from a committee-approved and a School of Graduate Studies-approved Program of Study from Utah State University.
- The MMIS degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
Face-to-Face and Statewide MMIS Programs
The Utah State MMIS program can be completed face-to-face at the Logan campus and is also offered for working professionals through USU’s Statewide campus system at locations throughout the state of Utah (see https://statewide.usu.edu/). Admission information and deadlines for the MMIS program can be found on the MMIS website at https://huntsman.usu.edu/mmis/index.
Financial Assistance
A limited number of graduate assistantships and scholarships are available to outstanding students and are awarded on a competitive basis. Students who apply by March 1 will have priority consideration for financial awards. Qualified students admitted into the program may also be considered for positions as teaching assistants.
Master of Management Information Systems Faculty
Courses in the MMIS program are taught by faculty in Data Analytics and Information Systems and across the Huntsman School of Business who have years of corporate and academic experience. Our instructors are experts in the most cutting-edge tools and strategies for data and tech.
FACULTY – Data Analytics and Information Systems
Degree Requirements
MMIS candidates can select two of the following certificates (24 total credits) and complete 6 additional capstone credits as specified below. Course substitutions can be made within certificate tracks or among the 6 capstone credits if approved by the department. A given course cannot be used to complete more than one certificate, or both a certificate and a capstone credit requirement.
Certificates
For each of the following certificates, specific course requirements are listed within the curriculum information below.
Data Technologies (12 credits) Designed specifically for students with nontechnical academic or employment backgrounds, the Data Technologies certificate allows students to learn foundational database, programming, and analytics skills to prepare them for successfully completing an additional certificate track. Note that the Data Technologies Certificate can be earned independently, without completing all MMIS requirements. Click here for more information.
Data Engineering (12 credits) Data Engineering represents one of the fastest-growing sectors of the information economy. Data engineers provide critical support for the data pipeline, collaborating with their teams to obtain, manage, and prepare the right data needed to answer important questions and inform strategy. Well-qualified data engineers generally require experience in SQL, Agile project management tools, Python, JavaScript, web-based application program interfaces (APIs), and cloud architecture, and understand the applications of these in general business functions and processes. Note that the Data Engineering Certificate can be earned independently, without completing all MMIS requirements. Click here for more information.
Data Analytics (12 credits) The Harvard Business Review has called data science the “sexiest job of the 21st century.” Data analysts and data scientists are in heavy demand by companies who need to make strategic decisions in an increasingly data-driven world. In completing the Data Analytics certificate, students gain practical hands-on experience applying the latest data technologies and sophisticated analytical methods, developing advanced skills in programming, machine learning and artificial intelligence, visualization, and data mining. Note that the Data Analytics Certificate can be earned independently, without completing all MMIS requirements. Click here for more information.
Web Development (12 credits) Companies of all sizes rely on interactive web applications to share data and support business transactions. This certificate prepares students to understand web application architecture and design, develop, and deploy data-driven web applications using the latest client-side and server-side frameworks. Note that the Web Development Certificate can be earned independently, without completing all MMIS requirements. Click here for more information.
Cybersecurity (12 credits) Data, Service, and Systems Security is a crucial part of every industry and every vertical. Outstanding job opportunities strongly favor those who understand and apply secure practices that reduce corporate risk, in any IT/IS field. This certificate unveils the mysteries of vulnerabilities and sets student up for successful careers in proactive defense. Note that the Cybersecurity Certificate can be earned independently, without completing all MMIS requirements. Click here for more information.
Capstone Requirements
In addition to completing two of the certificates listed above, students must complete 6 credits to broaden their strategic perspective in a business or organizational environment. These capstone credits include one required course and one elective, as specified within the curriculum below.
