Information Systems Management, Bachelor of Science

Philosophy

The Wilmington University undergraduate degree program in Information Systems Management provides a solid knowledge foundation and a related and meaningful set of experiences to prepare professionals to become Information Technology leaders in what has become the nation’s largest industry. Students who successfully complete the undergraduate degree program in Information Systems Management will possess a working command of current business processes, understand the concepts of business intelligence, data warehousing, and information technology applications and practices that can 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 analyzing business processes and designing an information technology strategy for continuous improvement. The ISM program is closely aligned with the business curriculum at Wilmington University. All courses involve hands-on assignments.

Purpose

The use of information systems and technology in business and industry is woven into strategic, tactical, and operational areas of almost every organization. Administrators, employees, and staff routinely use information technology in their daily professional and personal lives. The increased need for well-designed information technology systems by business and industry has further created a need for IT professionals who can analyze, design, and implement information systems to meet the needs of clients. This includes, but is not limited to, professionals who are:

• Competent practitioners, able to use technology and capable of assuming a leadership role in its implementation;
• Effective problem solvers, with the ability to integrate information systems and technology into the workplace;
• Active learners, attuned to emerging trends and technical innovations, with the attendant capabilities to appropriately position the proper trends/innovations within organizations.

The express purpose of Wilmington University’s program in Information Systems Management is to satisfy those needs by fostering an application level of practical expertise at an intermediate level of experience. Knowledge of the most current tools and technologies is combined with an understanding of the fundamental principles that underlie them. This ensures that graduates have immediately useful skills, in addition to the deeper understanding that will allow them to move smoothly and efficiently to new systems and approaches.

Program Competencies

Students completing the Information Systems Management B.S. program will be able to:

• Explain the role of IT in meeting strategic business objectives.

• Explain how IT can be used for competitive advantage in the external marketplace.
• Explain how IT can significantly improve internal business operations and decision making.
• Apply the systems approach to business problem solving.

• 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.
• 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.
• Employ critical thinking strategies such as quantitative, qualitative, and scientific reasoning to analyze consequences and outcomes and then determine logical solutions.
• Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors related to the student's academic discipline.

Experiential Learning

The Office of Experiential Learning takes a 360^◦ approach to experiential learning. Whether you come to Wilmington University with a vast amount of professional experience and are awarded Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), or you participate in a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity (Internships or Cooperative Education) embedded in your curriculum for credit, we provide a pathway to completing your degree.

Cooperative Education Option

Students in the Information Systems Management degree program may obtain relevant work experience by completing up to six credit hours through an optional co-op assignment.  The Cooperative Education option for Information Systems Management can be equivalent to one, three credit hour semester long course for a maximum of three credit hours.  The co-op assignment is one semester long and normally spans a single semester with the same employer.  Students can complete their 120 credit hour Information Systems Management degree program with or without choosing the co-op option. Co-op eligibility requires students to (a) successfully complete a minimum of two Information Systems Management (ISM) degree program core courses in residence; (b) have successfully completed at least 60 credits in the ISM program; and (c) have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must contact the Office of Work-Integrated Learning and their Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.   For additional information on cooperative education, please visit: https://www.wilmu.edu/coel/work-integrated-learning.aspx

Accelerated Graduate Certificate Option

Students in the Information Systems Management B.S. degree program may choose an accelerated option with:

• Management Information Systems Graduate Certificate; or
• Technology Project Management Graduate Certificate

Students selecting this option may be able to (a) substitute up to 15 designated, graduate credits for up to 15 undergraduate free elective credits in the B.S. ISM program.  The number of undergraduate credits (up to 15) available for this option is dependent on course transfers, course completions, and the availability of free electives.  The Accelerated Graduate Certificate Option (AGCO) is structured to ensure it can be completed within the 120 credit, undergraduate degree (105 to 117 undergraduate credits plus up to 15 graduate credits).

Students successfully completing the 15 designated, graduate credits (five courses) become eligible for a Management Information Systems or Technology Project Management Graduate Certificate, subject to the certificate award requirements.  In addition, whether successfully completing one graduate course or all five graduate courses, students receive graduate credit toward a Master of Science degree in Information Systems Technology (M.S. IST).  Students selecting either AGCO are not required to pursue the MS-IST degree.

Admission requirements include:

• A minimum, cumulative WilmU GPA of 3.25
• Completion of at least 60 credits towards your degree program
• A meeting with an academic advisor to submit an Accelerated Option Intent (AOI) form upon completion of at least 30 credits; and
• Recommendation of the Program Chair

Note:  Students will not be eligible to register for graduate level courses until they have successfully transferred in or completed, at least, 60 credits towards their bachelor’s degree in the College of Technology and have an approved AOI form.  Students must receive their B.S. degree and apply to the Graduate College of Technology to receive the graduate certificate.

Minimum Grade Policy: Students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses in order to earn the certificate.