Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS), Master's

Candidates for this program must submit the following items to be considered for admissions:

• Application: Applications are reviewed on an on-going basis and accepted students may begin at the next available session
  • Application Deadline: Rolling
• Official Transcripts: Candidates must have earned a bachelor's degree in a computer related discipline from an accredited US institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B).  Applicants who have not earned a degree in a related field may still be eligible for admission based on professional experience and potential to succeed in the program. Applicant who lacks related coursework may be eligible for ‘provisional’ admission to the program. Provisional admission simply requires the completion of one or two additional foundational courses as part of your plan of study.
• Personal Statement:  A personal statement detailing your professional goals as well as how the program from DeSales University can assist you in achieving these goals.
• Resume

International applicants must contact Leslie Bartholomew, Designated School Official, at 610-282-1100, ext. 1859 or Leslie.Bartholomew@desales.edu to inquire about international admission requirements.

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The program of study consists 36 credits (12 three-credit courses)

• Core Courses 15 credits
• Concentration Courses 12 credits
• Electives 6 credits
• Capstone 3 credits
• Total 36 credits

Core Courses

The purpose of the core coursework is to enhance a student’s level of technical, managerial, research, and communication skills. All candidates are required to complete the 15 credit foundation  requirement.

• IT 507 Object Oriented Programming
• IT 511 Database Management 
• IT 526 Data Communication Networks
• IT 532 Systems Analysis and Design
• IT 546 Ethical and Social Issues

Areas of Concentration

The concentration course requirement provides the student with the opportunity for learning advanced technological and business concepts. Candidates are required to complete 12 credits towards satisfying the concentration requirement. 

Data Analytics (select four):

• IT 513 Data Mining and Visualization
• IT 541 Introduction to Data Analytics/AI
• IT 553 Statistical Analysis and Predictive Modeling
• IT 562 Data Analytics

Digital Forensics (select four):

• CJ 536 Digital Investigation and Evidence Collection
• CJ 537 Forensic Acquisition and Analysis
• CJ 538 Network and Cloud Forensics
• CJ 539 Advanced Digital Forensics

Healthcare Information Management (select four):

• IT 513 Data Mining and Visualization
• IT 541 Introduction to Data Analytics/AI
• IT 562 Data Analytics
• IT 580 Healthcare Information Technology Management
• HC 503 Legal Aspects of Health Systems Management
• HC 504 Issues in Quality Management for Health Care Systems
• HC 508 Management of Information and Communication Technologies in Health Care Systems
• NU 538 Health Informatics, Quality and Safety
• PM 501 Project Management Essentials

Cyber Security (select four):

• IT 525 IT Security
• IT 545 Cyber Security Management
• IT 515 Vulnerability Assessment
• IT 573 Cryptography

Project Management (select four):

• PM 501 Project Management Essentials
• PM 506 Scope and Cost Management 
• PM 507 Risk Management 
• PM 508 Contract Management 
• PM 509 Integrating Quality into your Project Methodologies 
• PM 510 Advanced Project Management

Elective Courses - 2 courses

The 6 credit elective course requirement is designed to further enhance the career goal or the interest of the candidate. Students may select two additional MSIS courses.

Capstone Course

The capstone course requirement is a demonstration of the student’s ability to successfully complete a comprehensive and independent work by selecting and completing a project or design. Alternatively, the student may elect to complete an independent thesis on some contemporary research topic. Such thesis may cover 3 or 6 credit hours. In the latter case the number of electives will be reduced to 3 credits.

Job growth in this field is at an all-time high, and trained professionals are in consistently increasing demand.

Average national salaries within this field:

• Senior Data Analyst - $79,703
• Senior Privacy & Security Analyst - $95,565
• Director of Analytics - $126,597
• Data Security Administrator - $69,634
• Information Security Analyst - $71,309 – $98,350
• Information Security Manager - $113,115
• Cyber Security Engineer - $94,929
• Clinical Analyst - $69,038
• Health Information Management Director - $70,691
• Information Technology Manager - $87,593
• Information Technology Project Manager - $87,446

(Source: Payscale.com, 2016 & Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Program Costs

• Tuition/credit hour: $940*
• Re-admission Fee: $50
• Graduation Fee: $120
• Returned Check Service: $30
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) fee – 30% of course tuition charge

*Tuition/credit hours listed are for 2024/2025 academic year. Tuition and fees are reviewed each academic year and are subject to change with notice.

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and graduate program information sheets

Tuition Deferment

DeSales University offers graduate students the opportunity to defer payment of their tuition when they will be receiving reimbursement from their employer or when they are eligible to receive financial aid. A copy of your employer's tuition reimbursement policy must be forwarded to the Treasurer's Office and/or all necessary financial aid paperwork must be filed with the Financial Aid Office before tuition deferment is granted. 

Tuition deferment is a privilege given to graduate students at DeSales and can be revoked if this privilege is abused. Please note that you, as the student, are responsible for payment of your tuition balance in the event that your financial aid/loans or employer reimbursement is not received by the Treasurer's Office.

Tuition Reimbursement

When a student is eligible for tuition reimbursement from his/her employer, written evidence of eligibility is required. The student is responsible for requesting this reimbursement from his/her employer. In cases where reimbursement is contingent upon successful completion of the course(s) and the student either withdraws or does not achieve a grade sufficient to warrant maximum reimbursement, the student is ultimately responsible for payment for the course(s).