The Information and Communication Systems MBA concentration addresses the role of information systems in supporting business strategy and the challenges and opportunities that arise in managing information technology (IT). Students in this program will learn to recognize new business opportunities created by IT, evaluate and select appropriate technologies for specific business applications, lead implementation projects, and manage IT operations.

The program is designed to give students the flexibility to focus on specific aspects of information systems management. Students can organize their course work along one of three different tracks:

1. Enabling Technologies   
2. Information Technology Management   
3. E-Business

The MBA in Information and Communication System consists of 60 credits; additional prerequisites of up to nine credits in economics and quantitative methods may be required. Please refer to the MBA Concentrations main page for prerequisites, core courses, and other requirements for the program.

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Concentration (five courses, 15 credits)

Students who elect to concentrate in ICS must take a minimum of five courses beyond the core course IC6910 Information Systems. The MBA with an ICS concentration uses a two-tiered approach to ICS course requirements:

1. Courses required of all students with an ICS concentration.
2. Elective courses that allow students to define a track within the area

Required Courses All students concentrating in ICS are required to take the following two-course foundation:

• IC7902 Systems Development
• IC7910 Information Systems Strategy and Management
• IC 7902 should be taken early in the program as it is prerequisite to many other courses.

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Elective Courses

Three or more courses that should be chosen as a cluster to support a specific track within the ICS area. Current offerings in the ICS area allow for the following tracks:

1. Enabling Technologies Track

This track addresses the needs of students who plan careers in the information technology working as business analysts, as systems implementers, as consultants, or in other positions requiring a mix of solid business skills and technology analysis/implementation skills.

Suggested Electives in the Track:

• IC7941 Communication Networks and Distribution System
• IC7973 Database Management
• One or more related ICS Courses (IC7905 – Web and E-Business Technologies; IC7955 – Project Management; IC7999 – ST: Enterprise Integration; IC7999 – ST: Data Warehousing; IC79999 – ST: Decision Support Systems)

2. Management of Information Systems Track

This track addresses the needs of students who plan careers in developing IT strategy and managing information systems projects. As such, this track emphasizes foundation/technical skills as well as management, strategic planning, and execution skills so companies can realize the anticipated benefits from technology investments.

Suggested Electives in the Track:

• IC7945 Business Design Through Information Technology
• IC7955 Project Management
• One or more related ICS Courses (IC 7999 – ST: Decision Support Systems, MG 7675 – Strategic Management of Innovations and Technology, MG7699 – ST: Supply Chain Management)

3. E-Business Track

This relatively new track addresses the needs of students who plan careers in designing and implementing e-business solutions, including customer-facing technologies and integrated supply chain management.

Suggested Electives in the Track:

• IC7901 E-Business Strategies and Applications
• IC7905 Web and E-Business Technologies
• One or more related ICS Courses (IC 7945 Business Design Through Information Technology, IC 7941 Communications Networks and Distributed System, IC 7999 ST: Decision Support Systems)

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