Master of Information Systems
Innovative organizations place high value on cross-disciplinary leaders, and we've
positioned our curriculum to meet that demand.
When information technology expertise is blended with traditional business disciplines,
our graduates can 'pull it all together' to make timely, informed decisions for their
employers.
Schedule a Time to Talk 
Apply for this Degree Program 
Employers around the world seek to recruit and retain top talent who can assume technology
leadership roles. The Master of Information Systems degrees offered by the Walton
College are designed to groom these leaders.
The job market for Walton MIS graduates continues to be strong, as the demand for
combined technological expertise and managerial skills increases. Close partnerships
with our corporate partners facilitate recruiting, networking and career opportunities.
Two Program Options
A full-time degree program, and a part-time program for working professionals.
Courses and Schedule
What coursework is required for this degree?
Just the Facts
How Much? How Long?
Who can enroll?
How Do I Enroll?
Admission to Walton College masters programs is selective. Enrollment in each program is limited.
Enterprise Systems
Enterprise Systems at Walton College are comprised of five major hubs and support systems, along with access to large, real-world datasets.
- IBM z15 Mainframe Server
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016
- Teradata Intelliflex Database Server
- SAP Enterprise Resource Planning Software
- Statistical Software – SAS VIYA, SAS Enterprise Guide & SAS Enterprise Miner
Enterprise systems platforms integrate business processes and align IT to support business strategy.
Flexible Course Schedule
Full-Time Schedule
Students who choose the full-time program option finish their degree in one year.
Part-Time Schedule
Working professionals can complete the part-time schedule in less than two years.
The Department of Information Systems and the Graduate School of Business have structured this program to meet the needs of working professionals as well as traditional full-time students. Do you have questions about your schedule options? Contact us.
Just the Facts: Master of Information Systems
Program Length
1 - 2 Years
The full-time program can be completed in one year. The "professional" part-time program can be completed in less than two years.
Start Date
Program Specific
The full-time program begins in Summer session. The part-time program begins in the Fall Semester.
Admissions Info
Do I Qualify to Enroll?
Complete your undergraduate degree and meet additional requirements. View Requirements
Entrance Test
GMAT or GRE
Students may be eligible for a GMAT/GRE test waiver with a 3.2 undergraduate GPA or 3 years of professional work experience. Please review our master's admissions policies.
Application Deadline
Professional, Part-Time
Early decision: April 1
Final deadline: July 1
Full-Time
Deadline: November 1
4+1 Degree Option
The 4+1 option for the Master of Information Systems program will allow well-prepared undergraduate students to begin graduate courses during the last year of their undergraduate studies.
WHO: Walton students with a 3.2 undergraduate GPA.
WHAT: Early consideration for a graduate program and possible dual credit between an undergraduate and graduate degree.
WHEN: Apply by February 15 in Spring of your second-to-last undergraduate year.
WHY: Save time and potentially money!
How can I apply for the 4+1 degree option?
Students interested in the 4+1 Master of Information Systems option will require additional guidance and advising.
By The Numbers
View student data for the Professional MIS Program, to include acceptance rate, work experience, job placement, and top employers of our graduates.
View Statistics
Career Development
Close ties with our corporate partners facilitate recruiting and networking opportunities, internships, and careers.
Students can participate in corporate internships, career counseling, and take advantage of all the Walton College Career Services has to offer.
The Northwest Arkansas Community
Join a supportive and engaging community located in the vibrant business network of Northwest Arkansas, with over 300 Fortune 500 companies with a presence in the region.
Business leaders and Walton College alumni are closely connected to the college, not just during your studies, but throughout your career.
Courses and Program Schedule
Students graduate from the Walton MIS program equipped with an understanding of where IT "fits" in the context of a business, and how IT can be effectively leveraged to support the strategic and tactical objectives of an organization.
By learning concepts and approaches for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Business Analytics, and Enterprise Systems, our students can apply their knowledge to solve business problems using tools from IBM, SAP, Microsoft, Teradata, and SAS.
Full-Time Program Schedule
Summer
ERP Fundamentals
An introduction to enterprise resource planning systems. Students should gain an understanding of the scope of these integrated systems that reach across organizational boundaries and can change how a company does business. Implementation issues are covered, including the importance of change management.Blockchain Fundamentals
This course provides the fundamental concepts underpinning blockchain technologies. The focus is on blockchain applications for business. Students will learn about the overall blockchain landscape, including investments, the size of markets, major players and the global reach, as well as the potential business value of blockchain applications and the challenges that must be overcome to achieve that value. Students will learn enough about the underlying technologies to speak intelligently to technology experts and will be well-prepared to develop blockchain applications in future courses.Fall
Data Analytics Fundamentals
Fundamental knowledge and skills in several major areas of business data analytics. Emphasis on the management and use of data in modern organizations, intermediate & advanced spreadsheet topics; relational databases & SQL; and programming (such as Python). (ISYS 5103)Decision Support and Analytics
Analysis of the highest level of information support for the manager-user. A study of systems providing analytics-based information derived from databases within and/or external to the organization and used to support management in the decision making. Application of tools in business analytics, problem solving, and decision making. (ISYS 5503)Seminar in Systems Development
Advanced study of structured systems development. Emphasis on strategies and techniques of structured analysis and structured design for producing logical systems specifications and for deriving physical systems designs. Coverage of methodologies for dealing with complexity in the development of information systems. (ISYS 5423)Concentration Elective (Blockchain ES or ERP)
Spring
Data Management Systems
Investigation and application of advanced database concepts include database administration, database technology, and selection and acquisition of database management systems. Data modeling and system development in a database environment. (ISYS 5833)Seminar in Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management
Business intelligence focuses on assessing and creating information and knowledge from internal and external sources to support business decision making process. In this seminar, data mining and information retrieval techniques will be used to extract useful knowledge from data, which could be used for business intelligence, and knowledge management. (ISYS 5843)Management of Information Technology Seminar
Presented in a way that allows you to play an active role in the design, use, and management of information technology. Using IT to transform the organization, as competitive strategy, and creating new relationship with other firms is included. (ISYS 5943)Concentration Elective (Blockchain ES or ERP)
Professional, Part-Time Course Schedule
Fall - Year One
Data Analytics Fundamentals
Fundamental knowledge and skills in several major areas of business data analytics. Emphasis on the management and use of data in modern organizations, intermediate & advanced spreadsheet topics; relational databases & SQL; and programming (such as Python). (ISYS 5103)Decision Support and Analytics
Analysis of the highest level of information support for the manager-user. A study of systems providing analytics-based information derived from databases within and/or external to the organization and used to support management in the decision making. Application of tools in business analytics, problem solving, and decision making. (ISYS 5503)Spring – Year One
Data Management Systems
Investigation and application of advanced database concepts include database administration, database technology, and selection and acquisition of database management systems. Data modeling and system development in a database environment. (ISYS 5833)Seminar in Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management
Business intelligence focuses on assessing and creating information and knowledge from internal and external sources to support business decision making process. In this seminar, data mining and information retrieval techniques will be used to extract useful knowledge from data, which could be used for business intelligence, and knowledge management. Pre- or Corequisite: ISYS 5833 or equivalent. (ISYS 5843)Summer – Year One
Blockchain Fundamentals
This course provides the fundamental concepts underpinning blockchain technologies. The focus is on blockchain applications for business. Students will learn about the overall blockchain landscape, including investments, the size of markets, major players and the global reach, as well as the potential business value of blockchain applications and the challenges that must be overcome to achieve that value. Students will learn enough about the underlying technologies to speak intelligently to technology experts and will be well-prepared to develop blockchain applications in future courses. (ISYS 5173)ERP Fundamentals
An introduction to enterprise resource planning systems. Students should gain an understanding of the scope of these integrated systems that reach across organizational boundaries and can change how a company does business. Implementation issues are covered, including the importance of change management. (ISYS 5213)Fall – Year Two
Seminar in Systems Development
Advanced study of structured systems development. Emphasis on strategies and techniques of structured analysis and structured design for producing logical systems specifications and for deriving physical systems designs. Coverage of methodologies for dealing with complexity in the development of information systems. (ISYS 5423)Concentration Elective (Blockchain ES or ERP)
Spring – Year Two
Management of Information Technology Seminar
Presented in a way that allows you to play an active role in the design, use, and management of information technology. Using IT to transform the organization, as competitive strategy, and creating new relationship with other firms is included. (ISYS 5943)Concentration Elective (Blockchain ES or ERP)
Two Degree Options
The Walton Master of Information Systems (MIS) degree is offered in a 30-hour, part-time or full-time option. Students who choose the full-time option can finish their degree in one year. Working professionals who pursue the part-time schedule can complete their degree in less than 2 years.
Program Courses
Our curriculum is focused on delivering practical knowledge through hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies used in the world’s largest organizations.
Many courses in the MIS program are team-taught by faculty and industry experts, combining and comparing theory with practical application in real-world scenarios. Students will develop leadership, communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are sought after by leading employers.
Prior to beginning MIS graduate coursework, students must demonstrate proficiency in general business, statistics, and information systems by completing the "Information Systems and Business Analytics Toolkit" experience.
Part-Time Degree Option
The Walton Professional MIS is designed for working professionals. Once proficiency is demonstrated in our Information Systems and Business Analytics Toolkit, the program can be completed by taking 2 courses per semester for 5 semesters.
Courses are taught through a blended-delivery format with both face-to-face and online components, so students are in class only one Saturday per month. We work hard to simplify the logistics of returning to school so that you can focus on learning.
A Great Time to Grow
Management and leadership positions in Information Technology are increasingly being filled by candidates with graduate degrees. Our Master of Information Systems program exposes students to many different aspects of IT, providing a well-rounded perspective with enough depth to be proficient in several disciplines. The MIS program is also a great way to network and develop relationships with other professionals in the IT field.
Saturday Class Dates
| Spring 2023 |
Summer 2023 |
Fall 2023 |
Spring 2024 |
Summer 2024 |
| January 21 |
May 20 |
August 26 |
January 20 |
May 18 |
| February 18 |
June 17 |
September 23 |
February 17 |
June 15 |
| March 11 |
July 8 |
October 7 |
March 9 |
July 6 |
| April 1 |
July 22 (ISYS Only) |
November 4 |
April 6 |
July 20 (ISYS Only) |
| April 29 |
July 29 (EMBA and MS SCMT Only) |
December 2 |
April 27 |
July 27 (EMBA and MS SCMT Only) |
* Students admitted to the professional programs in the Walton College are required to attend a multi-day orientation prior to the start of scheduled courses. Dates to be determined. Please contact gsb@walton.uark.edu for more information.
