Information Systems Technologies M.S. Admission
Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information and requirements.
1. Submit a Graduate Application
A $35 non-refundable application fee is required.
2. Submit official transcripts
Students without a technology-related undergraduate degree or a sufficient level of technology experience or expertise are encouraged to take IST-5500 (Fundamentals of Technology). This course introduces students from a non-technology background to the concepts and terminology with which instructors in graduate-level technology courses expect students to be familiar.
Official transcripts should be sent electronically or by mail to:
Wilmington University
Office of Graduate Admissions
320 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
Any transcripts from institutions outside of the United States require an official course-by-course evaluation by a NACES.org approved agency. Note: In order to receive financial aid, a transcript listing a Bachelor's degree conferral must be on file.
3. Program Planning Conference
For assistance in scheduling your Program Planning Conference with your Graduate Advisor,
please contact Admissions:
Call: 877-967-5464 Text: 302-203-9516 Email: admissions@wilmu.edu
4. Register for IST 7000
Research is an integral part of graduate studies. The Master of Science - Information Systems Technologies program uses the APA Research Format for all research papers. If you are not familiar with this citation system, please consider taking IST-5000, our introductory academic writing lab.
If you are an international student, please click here for additional information.
Program Purpose
The express purpose of Wilmington University’s Master of Science program in Information Systems Technologies is to provide and advance the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by perspective and current Information Technology (IT) professionals for managing information systems. Students completing the program will obtain a better understanding of the relationship between business requirements and technology solutions with an emphasis on applying a systems approach when integrating information technology into strategic business/education/government activities. Moreover, the program capitalizes on the inter-disciplinary nature of modern information systems and the settings in which they are implemented, the MS-IST Program includes four career concentrations.
Program Competencies
The graduate student who successfully completes the M.S. in Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST) program will have a level of applicable knowledge in the following areas as appropriate to one’s field of study:
MS-IST Information Assurance Concentration
- Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
- Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
- Information Assurance Principles - Apply the principles of Information Assurance used to manage risks related to one or more of the following: Use, Processing, Storage, and Transmission of information or data.
- Information Assurance Ethics and Practices - Assess the ethical practices associated with implementing IA policy, Standards and Regulation combined with systemic interrelationships within an organization
- Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
- Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
- Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
- Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
- Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.
MS-IST Management and Management Information Systems Concentration
- Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
- Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
- Systems Theory - Evaluate the appropriateness of using systems thinking when defining diagnosing and/or developing an IS/IT system.
- Software-driven Systems - Differentiate between effective and ineffective IT strategies and/or plans for updating integrating or implementing software-driven systems.
- Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
- Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
- Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
- Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
- Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.
MS-IST Technology Project Management Concentration
- Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
- Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
- Technology Project Management Knowledge - Identify, define, and analyze various aspects of Technology Project Management Knowledge.
- Organizational Influences - Define and analyze organizational influences upon Technology Projects.
- Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
- Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
- Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
- Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
- Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.
MS-IST Web Design Concentration
- Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
- Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
- Web Design Tools - Apply Web Design operations and tools.
- Web Design Quality - Evaluate and apply Web Design quality and standards.
- Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
- Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
- Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
- Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
- Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.
Program Design
Students who successfully complete the graduate degree program in Information Systems Technologies will possess a working command of current informational practices that can immediately be applied in business, educational, and governmental organizations regardless of size. Degree recipients will be capable of managing complex projects from inception to completion, including professional services engagements and the acquisition and management of informational infrastructure. The managerial nature of this program is closely aligned with the business curriculum at Wilmington University, but with a decidedly technological (or alternatively, a “design”) leaning. As each student is expected to choose a concentration that caters to their vocational predispositions, competencies in the management of specifically tailored aspects of technology, and the synergies attributable to an interdisciplinary learning approach, are expected to be program outcomes. Students graduating from the MS-IST program should be prepared to provide leadership in the Information Systems (IS) field. Graduates will have the following skills, knowledge, and values:
- A core of IS knowledge
- Integration of IS and business foundations
- Broad business and real -world perspectives
- Communication, interpersonal, and team skills
- Analytical and critical thinking skills
- Specific skills leading to a career
Information Systems Foundations
Students without a sufficient level of information technology experience or expertise may be required to complete a placement exam prior to entering the MS-IST Program. Students who do not successfully complete the placement exam will be required to take the IST Fundamentals course – IST 5500 within their first semester of the MS-IST Program. IST 5500 is not a MS-IST Core course and cannot be used as an IST elective in the MSM or MBA Programs.
MS-IST Core Course Requirements (18 credits)
Concurrently or after completing the selected concentration courses, student will complete the six core courses listed and either
IST 8105 or
IST 8101.
The six core courses listed below are required for program completion.
Information Assurance Concentration (15 credits)
Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete the prerequisite course SEC 6010 and three (3) other SEC 6000 series courses from the following list as well as SEC 7050 Information Assurance Integration/Capstone Course.
Integration/Capstone Course
| SEC 7050 | Information Assurance Integration/Capstone | 3 |
Management and Management Information Systems Concentration (15 credits)
Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete five (5) courses from the following list as well as either IST 8105 or IST 8101.
After completing the six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Management and Management Information Systems Concentration courses, students will complete either IST8105 IST Capstone or IST8101 Supervised Field Experience/Internship.
Technology Project Management Concentration (15 credits)
After completing IST 7060 and either concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete five (5) courses from the following list.
| IPM 6015 | Project Scoping and Scheduling | 3 |
| IPM 6030 | IT/IS Project Risk Management | 3 |
| IPM 6040 | IT/IS Project Quality Management | 3 |
| IPM 6050 | Agile Project Management | 3 |
| IPM 6060 | Technology Project Leadership and Teamwork | 3 |
| IPM 6090 | Special Topics in IT/IS Project Management | 3 |
Web Design Concentration (15 credits)
Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete the pre-requisite course DSN 6000 and three (3) other DSN 6000 series courses from the following list as well as DSN 7010 Web Design Integration/Capstone.
| DSN 6000 | Web Design and Architecture | 3 |
| DSN 6040 | Web Design with JavaScript | 3 |
| DSN 6050 | Markup Languages Advanced Authoring | 3 |
| DSN 6060 | Database/Web Design Integration | 3 |
| DSN 6073 | Server-Side Web Development | 3 |
| DSN 6080 | Internet Development/Design for Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| DSN 6090 | Topics in Web Design and Programming | 3 |
Integration/Capstone Course
| DSN 7010 | Web Design Integration/Capstone Course | 3 |
Capstone Course or Supervised Field Experience/Internship (3 credits)
Students in the M.S. IST Program will take either IST 8105 or IST 8101 in their final semester. IST 8105 is a 7-week capstone course for students who do not anticipate doing an internship in their final semester.
IST 8105 IST Capstone (3 credits) - is a capstone course for all M.S. IST Program Students. The course will have a summative project associated with (a) investigating a current IT management/system issue or (b) evaluating an IT management/system scenario. The current IT management/system issue or the scenario may be assigned by the instructor or selected by the student for instructor approval.
Eligibility for IST 8105:
- Students must be in the final year of their M.S. IST program with a majority of the program requirements completed. A majority of the program requirements means students have successfully completed all IST7000 series courses (18 credits) and, at least, three of their program's concentration courses (9 credits) before registering for IST 8105.
Note: Attending the first IST 8105 class meeting is required. An absence from the first class meeting will result in an administrative drop from the course.
Eligibility for IST 8101 Supervised Field Experience/Internship (3 credits):
- Students must be in the final year of their M.S. IST program with a majority of the program requirements completed. A majority of the program requirements means students have successfully completed all IST 7xxx series courses (18 credits) and, at least, three of their program’s concentration courses (9 credits) before registering for IST 8101.
- Students must have a valid and verified co-op or internship before the beginning of an IST 8101 course. Students who cannot obtain a co-op or internship before the beginning of the IST 8101 course must register for IST 8105, however, if the student obtains a valid and verified co-op or internship prior to the end of the IST 8101 DROP/ADD period, they may become eligible for IST 8101 registration approval.
- Students must obtain Program Chair approval to register for IST 8101.
Note: Attending the first 8101 class meeting is required. An absence from the first, class meeting will result in an administrative drop from the course.
There are two possible IST 8101 completion options:
- Option one provides students in the Web Design Concentration with an opportunity to design and develop an electronic portfolio.
- Option two enables students to gain practical IT experience through a technical internship while documenting their IT experiences using an Action Research methodology.
The Complete MS-IST Curriculum
Well-prepared students may complete the M.S. IST Program in a minimum of 36 credits. The MS-IST Curriculum includes:
- 18 credits of core courses (IST7000 - IST7100), (i.e., IST 7xxx series courses)
- 3 credits of a Capstone/Field Experience course (i.e., IST 8105 or IST 8101)
- 15 credits in one of the program’s concentrations
- Meeting all other qualifications for the degree
Qualifications for Degree
To qualify for the Master of Science degree in Information Systems Technologies, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 36 credit hours (12 courses), which includes 15 credits in an IST concentration and 3 credits in either a Capstone Course or a Field Experience/Internship course. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. The program must be completed within five years.