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Online M.S. in Information Systems

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30 Credits

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Rolling Admissions

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No GRE/GMAT Required

About the Program

UMaine is ranked #50 in Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

The online M.S. in Information Systems develops technical and managerial skills to construct and manage modern computer-based information systems. By providing a foundation in information systems, the program creates a path for those from diverse academic backgrounds to transition to an information systems career.

Students will explore topics such as:

  • Information system design
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Database systems design and management
  • Systems development
  • Computer networks
  • Information law and ethics
  • And More

For more information, visit the Information Systems website.

Contact Us

Have questions about earning your M.S. in Information Systems online with UMaine? Contact a UMaineOnline advisor.

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Kimberly Lai, M.A.

UMaineOnline Advisor


661.544.8675
kimberly.lai@maine.edu

Student Experiences

I appreciate the flexibility of the program. I can plan my assignments and online meetings around my schedule.
Hear More
Jane G.

Curriculum

Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with your advisor to develop a program of study that reflects your personal and professional goals.

For new students starting Fall 2024 or after, the following courses are required (15 credits):

  • SIE 507: Information Systems Programming (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 515: Human-Computer Interaction (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 525: Information Systems Law (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 550: Design of Information Systems (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 557: Database System Applications (3 credits) Spring

For current students who started before Fall 2024, the following courses are required (15 credits):

  • SIE 505: Formal Foundations for Information Science (3 credits) Fall
    OR SIE 580: Ontology Engineering Theory and Practice (3 credits) Every Other Fall
  • SIE 507: Information Systems Programming (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 515: Human-Computer Interaction (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 525: Information Systems Law (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 550: Design of Information Systems (3 credits) Fall

Choose three courses from the following (15 credits):

Business Courses

  • BUA 601: Strategic Data Analysis (3 credits) Fall, Spring, and Summer
  • BUA 680: Foundations of Business Intelligence and Analytics (3 credits) Fall, Spring, and Summer
  • BUA 681: Data Management and Analytics (3 credits) Fall
  • BUA 682: Data Pre-Processing for Business Analytics (3 credits)
  • BUA 683: Information Visualization (3 credits) Summer
  • BUA 684: Business Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery (3 credits) Spring
  • BUA 685: Problem Solving and Decision Analysis (3 credits) Fall
  • BUA 686: Predictive and Business Forecasting (3 credits) Spring

Computer Science Courses

Choose from any formally approved 400-level and above COS courses including, but not limited to:

  • COS 535: Information Privacy Engineering (3 credits) Fall (even years) 
  • COS 565: Data Visualization (3 credits) 
  • COS 570: Topics in Artificial Intelligence (3 credits) Fall
  • COS 575: Computer Vision (3 credits) Fall (even years)

Data Science and Engineering Courses

  • DSE 501: Statistical Foundations of Data Science and Engineering Fall
  • DSE 503: Systems Foundations for Data Science and Engineering Summer 
  • DSE 510: Data Science and Engineering Practicum (3 credits) Spring

Digital Curation Courses

  • DIG 500: Introduction to Digital Curation (3 credits) Fall
  • DIG 510: Metadata (3 credits) Summer 
  • DIG 540: Digital Collections and Exhibitions (3 credits) Fall
  • DIG 550: Digital Preservation (3 credits) Spring

Education Courses

  • EDT 520: Digital Age Teaching and Learning Methods (3 credits) Fall and Spring

Interdisciplinary Courses

  • INT 601: Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit) Fall, Spring, and Summer

Spatial Information Science and Engineering Courses

  • SIE 505: Formal Foundations for Information Science (3 credits)
  • SIE 508: Object-Oriented Programming (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 509: Principles of Geographic Information Systems (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 510: Geographic Information Systems Applications (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 512: Spatial Analysis (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 516: Interactive Technologies for Solving Real-World Problems (3 credits) Spring
  • SIE 555: Spatial Database Systems (3 credits) Fall (even years)
  • SIE 558: Real-Time Sensor Data Streams (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 559: Geosensor Networks (3 credits) Fall
  • SIE 580: Ontology Engineering Theory and Practice (3 credits) Fall and Spring
  • SIE 590: Information Systems Internship (3-6 credits) Fall, Spring, and Summer

Admissions

We have rolling admissions, so you can apply and be accepted into the program anytime. However, the following priority deadlines are recommended:

  • Fall semester: August 1
  • Spring semester: January 1

Applications will still be reviewed after these dates, but acceptance may be deferred for the next semester.

Those applying for campus-wide research assistantships or scholarships should complete their application packets by January 1 for Fall admission.

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
    A GPA below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered case-by-case.
  • College-level algebra
  • Programming courses or experience
    Recommended but not required.

We have rolling admissions, meaning you can apply and be accepted anytime. The admission evaluation process begins once we’ve received all of your application materials. Before you apply, please review the application instructions. When you’re ready to apply, please submit the following:

  • An online application
  • Current résumé or CV with the contact information for three professional or academic references
  • Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended
  • A 300-500 word essay based on the following prompt
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Careers

The demand for information systems professionals is high. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer and information systems manager employment is projected to grow 15% from 2022-2032, faster than the average for all occupations. On average, about 46,900 openings for computer and information systems managers are projected each year over the decade. Also, the median salary for computer and information systems managers is $169,510.