Advanced study in business administration and information systems is available through a dual degree program sponsored by the School of Business.
The dual degree Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Information Systems program allows students to earn two degrees with a minimum of 63 graduate credits rather than the 75 graduate credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately. This efficiency lowers the overall cost of tuition while also reducing time to earning both degrees.
Prerequisite and/or foundation courses may effectively increase the number of credits needed to earn the degrees.
Program goals
The objectives of this dual degree program are to:
- Prepare individuals to be effective leaders and managers in today’s high technology world
- Equip individuals with tools and techniques that optimize returns on technology investments
- Enhance communication skills relating to technology management in complex and diverse organizations
- Provide the ability to analyze and appropriately incorporate technological, economic, environmental and behavioral factors in decision-making as it relates to achieving strategic organizational goals overall including, but not limited to, technology
- Develop the ability to plan and implement effective governance and security mechanisms to enhance information security in organizations
Among the many benefits offered by participation in the dual degree program are the following:
- Complementing the general management skills obtained in the M.B.A. with a solid specialization in information systems, technology and information systems management
- Acquiring a high degree of competency with specialized knowledge unique to technology and technology management
- Enhanced ability to effectively compete for technology management positions across a wide spectrum of levels and organizations
- Enhanced job prospects — particularly for candidates intending to switch careers or striving to move up within their organizations
- The ability to effectively complete both degrees within a shorter time frame with considerable time and tuition savings
The diplomas for this dual degree program may be awarded sequentially or simultaneously. Students are not required to begin both programs in the same semester, but must have at least one semester before graduation where they are enrolled in both degrees for the dual credits to be applied to both degrees.
Student learning outcomes
See each degree program page for student learning outcomes.
Other information
Advising
A program manager will serve as an adviser and administrative liaison for students. The assigned program manager will assist in developing a plan of study to meet the curriculum requirements of both programs. A faculty adviser from the Department of Information Systems will help students consider electives that will best serve their professional goals.
Admission requirements
Students must officially apply and be admitted to each degree program separately before the pursuit of the dual degree program may begin. It is not required to begin both programs in the same semester. View the application requirements for each program for additional details.
Degree requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 63 total credits to earn the Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Information Systems. Students without sufficient background in information systems may be required to first complete prerequisite course work.
A total of 12 credits may be counted toward both programs:
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFO 520 | Data Communications (core requirement for M.S.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 530 | Systems Development (core requirement for M.S.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 610 | Analysis and Design of Database Systems (core requirement for M.S.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 661 | Information Systems for Managers (M.B.A. core requirement; satisfies INFO 640 core requirement in M.S.) | 3 |
Curriculum requirements for the dual degree
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| M.B.A. requirements | ||
| • Required courses | ||
| ACCT 507 | Fundamentals of Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 608 | Managerial Accounting Concepts | 3 |
| ECON 610 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| FIRE 520 | Financial Concepts of Management | 3 |
| FIRE 623 | Financial Management | 3 |
| INFO 661 | Information Systems for Managers (satisfies INFO 640 core requirement in M.S.) | 3 |
| INFO 664 | Information Systems for Business Intelligence | 3 |
| MGMT 641 | Leading People and Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 642 | Business Policy and Strategy | 3 |
| MKTG 671 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| SCMA 524 | Statistical Fundamentals for Business Management | 3 |
| SCMA 675 | Operations Management | 3 |
| • Electives | ||
| Satisfied by INFO 520, INFO 530 and INFO 610 | 9 | |
| M.S. requirements | ||
| • Required courses | ||
| INFO 520 | Data Communications (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 530 | Systems Development (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 544 | Principles of Computer and Information Systems Security | 3 |
| INFO 610 | Analysis and Design of Database Systems (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 640 | Information Systems Management (satisfied by M.B.A. core requirement INFO 661) | 3 |
| • Information system electives | 9-15 | |
| Select three to five from the following: | ||
| Data Reengineering | ||
| Business Process Reengineering | ||
| Ethical, Social and Legal Issues in Computer and Information Systems Security | ||
| Data-centric Analysis/Planning | ||
| Data Mining | ||
| Data Warehousing | ||
| Text Analytics | ||
| Securing Cloud Infrastructure | ||
| Strategic Information Systems Planning | ||
| Decision Support and Intelligent Systems | ||
| Information Technology Project Management | ||
| Prescriptive Analytics | ||
| Security Policy Formulation and Implementation | ||
| Business Data Analytics | ||
| Securing the Internet of Things | ||
| Information Systems for Business Intelligence | ||
| Topics in Information Systems | ||
| Field Project in Information Systems | ||
| Guided Study in Information Systems | ||
| • Other approved electives | 0-6 | |
| A maximum of two non-INFO electives may be completed from the preapproved list below for students that have satisfied course prerequisite requirements. | ||
| SAP ERP and Supply Chain Management | ||
| Statistical Analysis and Modeling | ||
| Decision and Risk Analytics | ||
| Developing and Implementing Forecasting Methods for Business | ||
| Total Hours | 63 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual degree is 63.
Sample plan of study
What follows is an example plan that meets the prescribed requirements. Students may work with their adviser to consider an individual enrollment plan that best meets their goals. Part-time enrollment and summer courses may be considered.
| Year one | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ACCT 507 | Fundamentals of Accounting | 3 |
| FIRE 520 | Financial Concepts of Management | 3 |
| INFO 664 | Information Systems for Business Intelligence | 3 |
| SCMA 524 | Statistical Fundamentals for Business Management | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ECON 610 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| INFO 661 | Information Systems for Managers (satisfies INFO 640 core requirement in M.S.) | 3 |
| MGMT 641 | Leading People and Organizations | 3 |
| SCMA 675 | Operations Management | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Year two | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ACCT 608 | Managerial Accounting Concepts | 3 |
| FIRE 623 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MGMT 642 | Business Policy and Strategy | 3 |
| MKTG 671 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| INFO 610 | Analysis and Design of Database Systems (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| Information systems electives | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Year three | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INFO 520 | Data Communications (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 530 | Systems Development (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| INFO 544 | Principles of Computer and Information Systems Security | 3 |
| Information systems or other approved elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Information systems or other approved elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 3 | |
| Total Hours: | 63 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual degree is 63.
Contact
Austen Gouldman
gouldmana@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622
Additional contact
Graduate Studies in Business
gsib@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622
Program website: business.vcu.edu/academics/mba-options