Master of Science in Information Management

Aspen University's 36 semester credit MS in Information Management program illustrates how information flows through an enterprise, presents effective uses of technology and describes how information systems can shape an organization. It bridges the gap between information management and its practical application. The program examines information technology with an emphasis upon strategies for applying technology both profitably and effectively.

The core courses lay a firm foundation of essential concepts, principles, skills and strategies for the information technology professional, providing the knowledge and skills needed for informed decision making and effective leadership. The program's two elective tracks allow for concentrated study in either the management or technology aspects of the field.

The Aspen University MS in Information Management prepares students to be key contributors in defining the strategies for successful implementation of Information Technology within their organizations.

MSIM Degree Completion Requirements:

• 36 Total semester credits (8 Core Courses- 3 semester credits each)
  
• 3 Elective Course (3 semester credits each)
  
• A Final Project (3 semester credits)
  
• Two Proctored Exams

Core Courses:

505 Managing in an Age of Information Technology Change
515 Management of Information Systems
525 Information Systems Strategic Planning
535 Telecommunications
545 Emerging Technologies
560 Business Ethics
590 Organizational Behavior
645 Project Management Essentials
599 Capstone Project

Elective Courses: Management Concentration

605 Customers, Markets, and Technology
634-Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
685 eBusiness

Elective Courses: Technologies Concentration

649 - Information Technology Project Management
665 Data Communications
685 eBusiness
695 Intranets

Elective Courses: Project Management Concentration

646 Project Management Organization Framework
647 Project Management Integration Framework
649 Information Technology Project Management

See Program Calendar

Course Descriptions:

505 Managing in an Age of Information Technology Change
This course investigates the challenges that fast-paced frequently-changing IT environments present to managers. Students will examine factors that are common to most IT departments, symptoms of IT-related problems, the characteristics of software projects, and the challenges of managing IT personnel and IT projects. Students will establish lists of "best practices" that managers should follow for a wide-range of IT-related issues. Students will develop the skills managers must possess to successfully manage IT projects.

515 Management of Information Systems
In this course, students gain valuable insight into the planning, organizing, and controlling of user services, as well as the management of the information systems development process. The course also examines organizational learning curves, dealing with vendors, budgeting, accounting, management reporting, and legal considerations of information systems.

525 Information Systems Strategic Planning
Information systems are an integral part of corporate operations. This course examines guidelines for developing an information systems plan, selecting systems projects, assessing current systems, and planning future systems expansion that supports organizational growth.

535 Telecommunications
This course provides a brief history of telecommunications, a look at the field's structure and regulation, information on networks and telecommunications services, the basics of traffic engineering, and an introduction to primary data communications systems. The underlying principles and functions of telecommunications management are also introduced.

545 Emerging Technologies
This course provides an in-depth discussion of both the theories and application of risk-management approaches to the latest and most menacing IT threats. As technologies pervasively continue to enter our lives, the risks are becoming universal and quite far-reaching in terms of who are affected. Computer-communication systems reach into almost every aspect of our existence, relating to the health and well-being of not only people, businesses, and governments, but also the global environment.

560 Business Ethics
This course examines ethics and values in multiple contexts. It begins with an exploration of individual values and the integration of mind, body and soul. The perspective then broadens to include corporate ethics and the role of moral leadership in business. The course concludes with an examination of ethical dilemmas created by an expanding global economy.

590 Organizational Behavior
Today, businesses run on hardware, software, and human capital more than ever before. This course focuses on the people in the organization and how they work and behave in the work environment. It examines the behavior of individuals, the dynamics of teamwork, the processes of small groups, decision-making, problem-solving, conflict management, and ways to eliminate barriers to effective communications within the workplace.

645 Project Management Essentials
PME introduces students to the fundamental elements of effective project management. It provides students with the opportunity to apply these elements using exercises and examples based on real-time projects. The required tools and techniques used to plan, measure, and control projects and the methods used to organize and manage projects are also discussed.

605 Customers, Markets & Technology
The relationship between technology-based products and the consumers of these products comes under investigation in this course. This course also teaches methods for designing, developing, and delivering technology-based products that can solve real-world problems. Students will examine best practices for integrating technology solutions and metrics managers can apply to measure the return on an IT investment. Throughout the course, students will learn skills they can use to increase their own creative skills.

634-Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
Technology is rapidly shaping the face of business as well the global environment in which organizations compete. One of the most important challenges companies face is how to use the emerging trends in technology to compete more successfully and improve profitability. The conceptual framework of the course is an evolutionary process perspective on technology strategy and innovation. The fundamental ideas underlying this evolutionary perspective are that: a) a firm's technology strategy emerges from its technological competencies and capabilities, b) technology strategy is shaped by external (environmental) and internal (organizational) forces, and c) the enactment of technology strategy, through the experience that it generates, serves to further develop the firm's technological competencies and capabilities.

649-Information Technology Project Management
(Prerequisite: 645-Project Management Essentials or prior consent of the instructor)
In today's fast-paced and dynamic environment, innovative information technology and system development projects are critical to many companies' success. The emphasis on such projects creates greater demand from senior management to deliver quality information technology projects on time, within budget, and which add functionality and value to their customers and clients. IT Project Management will teach the project manager how to integrate sound project management principles in the information technology project's development profile in order to assure every aspect of the project is under control and delivers the technical objectives. This course will also cover the IT project's life cycle from initiation through closeout and address all the components of project management as they relate to IT projects, based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) as defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI).


665 Data Communications
Data Communications develops students' essential skills and knowledge for designing communication systems. Students examine network protocols and wide and local-area networks in detail. Topics include the seven layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model, client-server technology, and comparison of different network architectures.


685 eBusiness
The Internet and related technologies pose enormous opportunities for developing new business models and significant threats to existing models. Information Professionals must be prepared to recognize opportunities and overcome challenges posed by the electronic economy. This course defines the core elements of developing an eBusiness strategy, including branding, competitive analysis, technology assessment, business method models, and preparing for emerging trends. Course assignments involve extensive case studies and online research using the latest e-tools. Students collaborate to create a prototype eBusiness venture.


695 Intranets
This course develops students' essential skills and knowledge for designing and managing Intranets, i.e. internal Web (TCP/IP-based) networks. Students will learn how the Internet model applies to business, how developments in technology have made Intranets possible, and the impact they may have for organizations in the future. Students will also examine the role of extranets in business-to-business (B2B) transactions. Students will examine the key security considerations that allow a company to protect, yet use, its business knowledge.

646 Project Management Organization Framework
PMOF introduces the fundamental concepts of scope, time management, human resource planning and project communications as presented in the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge. Emphasizing both theory and practical application, PMOF provides students with an opportunity to apply these concepts using real-life exercises, examples, and software tools..

647 Project Management Integration Framework
PMIF completes the topics presented in the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge and includes project cost, quality, procurement, and risk management. Continuing the work from PMOF, PMIF provides students with additional opportunities to apply these concepts using real-life exercises, examples, and software tools. Special consideration is given to preparing students for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam.

599 Capstone Project
The capstone project allows students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their courses to the work environment. This project is completely individualized; students are encouraged to select work-related projects that are of particular interest to them and that will result in professional growth and benefit the organization.

Due to the extensive evaluation process, and the quantity of work and research involved, the Capstone course has a time limit of 6 months.