Concentrations for MIS Degrees
- Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
- Data Management
- Health Informatics
- Cybersecurity
- Project Management
Given the extent of technology dependence in today's business environment, you can't go wrong with a degree in management information systems. This degree program aims to give students a comprehensive view of information systems in different organizations. Course of studies will include design and architecture of information systems; application, execution and adoption of information technology in business processes; knowledge acquisition; systems analysis; database design and maintenance and business theory. A number of specializations are offered for this field, and you should choose carefully to have a reasonable expectation of success.
1. Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
An MIS degree with a specialization in business intelligence and data analytics will develop the necessary skill set to manage big data, according to Forbes. You will design and deploy strategies to collect, organize, analyze, and mine very large volumes of data to generate information useful for improving business systems and processes. By analyzing the given data, you will help management to use research-based information to support marketing, financing and decision making to optimize the businesses' competitive advantage. Given today's computing technology, data analytics is a streamlined process that can uncover hidden patterns to aid in business decision making.
2. Data Management
Business processes and policy decisions are data driven these days. Your job as an MIS graduate specializing in data management is to collect, organize and analyze data to deploy information technology solutions that can create efficiencies in the business process. Courses will include database management systems, data warehousing and text analytics. The program may put special emphasis on data mining, which is the process of taking a large amount of information and generating new and useful information that serve as the basis for realigning business strategies to cut costs, improve revenues or enhance corporate image.
3. Health Informatics
Health informatics is a multidisciplinary study that aims to apply IT solutions to store, manage and use clinical and public health information to ensure the delivery of quality health care, according to the US News and World Report. The healthcare sector has moved on to the automation and electronic record keeping. Electronic health records have become the standard way of tracking data in this sector, ensuring that critical information is available to providers when they need it for solving problems and making decisions. Courses will cover health data management, biostatistics and legal and ethical aspects of health information management.
4. Cybersecurity
Every encounter with your health care provider generates records that contain personally identifying information, including social security numbers, birth dates, contact and medical records. For this reason, health records represent a gold mine of information for hackers, and it is going to be your job as a cybersecurity expert to develop, maintain and evolve secure systems to protect businesses and organizations. Some of your courses will include database security, intrusion detection and prevention, and wireless and mobile security.
5. Project Management
An MIS student specializing in project management will oversee the budget, time and resources that the company authorized for an IT project in large enterprises. Courses will include risk management, IT investments and enterprise program management. Projects may be short or long-term, but as an IT project manager, you are on track for a stable career in virtually any industry.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online MIS Degree Programs
A degree in management information systems provides a solid foundation for a technology-centered career where pay scales are typically higher compared to other sectors requiring similar skill sets. The MIS field is broad and diverse, and your career track may very well depend on your area of expertise. MIS degree programs offer many specialization options, and each program will culminate in a capstone project that will give you a chance to test theoretical knowledge against real-life applications.