Vision Statement

Park University’s Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics will be the premier provider of graduate education in information systems and analytics.

Mission Statement

Park University’s Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics provides students with the technical, managerial, and strategic acumen necessary to leverage information technology and data to maintain a competitive advantage and improve operational outcomes.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduates will be able to:

• Develop and maintain the information systems necessary to support the functional, operational, and strategic needs of domestic and multinational organizations.
• Determine the most efficient and effective methods of leading and managing the resources to support a firm’s information systems and technology.
• Evaluate technology alternatives to resolve complex problems in an information systems context while taking into consideration internal and external constraints and the ethical implications.
• Formulate a plan to effectively collaborate and communicate with key stakeholders (business, HIMS, and IT professionals) in order to achieve corporate or functional level goals and objectives.
• Establish an organization-wide information security risk management program designed to isolate significant internal and external threats while concurrently designing and implementing contingency, business continuity, and disaster recovery plans.
• Evaluate the usefulness of information technology to achieve a competitive advantage, efficient operations, and effective decision-making.
• Analyze large datasets for the purpose of uncovering hidden patterns, predicting future trajectories, and then using the resultant information to aid organizations in making well-informed operating, marketing, financing, and strategic decisions.

Admission Requirements

The Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics will require applicants to meet the same admissions requirements as any other Park University graduate program in business.

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or from an accredited foreign institution of higher learning.
• Minimum of a 2.75 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale from all colleges and universities attended.
• Students with a cumulative grade point average below 2.75 may be considered for conditional admission. Submission of additional documentation may be required by the Program Director.

Admission to Park University’s Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics program is open to graduates of all fields of undergraduate study.

Types of Admission

Students will be admitted to the Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics program with one of the following admission statuses:

1. Full Admission – Applicants who meet all admission requirements and the Graduate Admissions office has received all necessary documents, are granted full admission.
2. Provisional Admission – Students may be admitted to a program on a provisional basis and their admission status will be classified as “provisional.” The provisional status will be removed when applicants submit test scores or other required documents. Students accepted provisionally must submit complete and satisfactory records before completing 12 credit hours in the graduate program.
3. Conditional Admission – In certain exceptional cases, a student who does not meet the minimum grade point average requirement, but who presents other evidence of ability to succeed in a graduate program, may be granted provisional admission by the director of the graduate program in which the applicant is applying, in concurrence with the dean or designee. The probationary status may be removed after the student has demonstrated academic ability by maintaining a “B” average for the first six credit hours of graduate courses, with no grade lower than a “B”.

Sequential Degree

The MS in ISBA program is a participant of the Sequential Degree option. This provides an opportunity for graduate alumni of the College of Management at Park University to receive up to 12 credit hours in course substitutions towards the completion of the MS in ISBA degree. Alumni from Park graduate programs that are not aligned under the College of Management are not eligible to participate in the sequential degree options. They may receive up to 9 credit hours on transfer credit. Additional information can be found in the graduate catalog.

Graduation Requirements

Students in the Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics program will be required to meet the following requirements in order to be conferred their degree:

1. Completion of a total of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, which includes 24 hours in the core curriculum and 12 hours in the concentration.
2. Must have a minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) after completing all required coursework.
3. May have no grade lower than a “C” and no more than six (6) hours in graduate courses taken at Park University with a grade of “C” at the time of graduation.
4. Must submit application for graduation within the established deadlines.

Format of Courses

• Online: Students can meet all course requirements through an online format.
• Blended: All ground courses are offered using a blended delivery format. This means that each weekly class session includes a physical classroom as well as the online component. In this format, students are expected to complete assigned readings, review supplemental materials, and complete certain assignments prior to each class session. During the class sessions, the instructors will facilitate in-class activities that promote collaborative learning and provide opportunities to apply learned concepts. Blended courses are offered in Kansas City, MO.
• The MS in ISBA courses are offered in the 8-week accelerated format.