Information Technology

A Perspective on a Management Information Systems (MIS) Program Review

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This paper highlights relevant curriculum issues that were identified in a Management Information
Systems (MIS) program review undertaken by a group of business faculty in a small regional
university. The program review was initiated to improve job marketability of graduates and student
enrollment. The review process is described as a collective effort in continuous improvement
in program planning and assessment. A reference framework on the technical-business orientation
of the program is applied. The framework explains the varying degree of emphasis in technical/
business knowledge and skills in Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems (IS)
programs. Outcomes associated with the program review process include new elective courses in
MIS Internship/Co-Op and Supply Chain Management and increased emphasis in both technical
and business skills in MIS courses.
The initial focus of this program review was to identify critical job skills for MIS majors through
IT professional job descriptions and IT job market statistics. These sources of information led to
several viewpoints that the program should emphasize more the “T” for technical skills. The “I”
for business knowledge and skills in IT was overlooked or largely ignored. Further literature review
on MIS (or IS) program reviews and IT outsourcing job trends indicated that business skills,
such as communications and collaborative work skills, are important, and business knowledge in
integrative value chain processes is valued by employers. Project management and system integration
knowledge and skills are also valued as more enterprise applications are being implemented
in business organizations.

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Series Title

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Call Number

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Publisher

: Journal of Information Technology Education., 2008

Collation

1-16

Language

English

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Classification

NONE

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Edition

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Subject(s)

I.T

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