The MS in Information Systems & Technology (IS&T) offers a technically focused, design-centric curriculum that balances technology and management scholarship to achieve pragmatic solutions to challenges facing society.
The MS in IS&T’s experiential teaching practice teaches you the concepts, skills, and applications necessary to create software and systems that optimize human performance and produce positive societal change. Our programming is flexible to accommodate working professionals looking to augment their skill sets. You will undertake collaborative, industry-oriented research with CGU faculty mentors, who are distinguished IS&T scholars and practitioners who contribute to leading journals, consult for industry-leading organizations, and hold prominent roles at global conferences and international councils. You will analyze, discuss, and contribute to the continuously expanding knowledge bank of information technology, thereby gaining the skills and connections that lead to leadership roles in business, government, education, and more.
Program Highlights
Well-equipped research clinics and laboratories allow you to work directly on applied and academic research; these include the IDEA Lab, Intelligent Systems Lab, and more.
You can pursue your MS in conjunction with another degree program at CGU, such as a PhD in History. You earn a diploma for each degree, double count some units from one program to the other, and decrease your required total units.
Our GIS Club convenes students and professionals interested in geographic information systems (GIS) and informs the local community about the latest GIS workshops and conferences.
This program is STEM designated, allowing international students who hold F-1 visas to apply for OPT work authorizations for a total of 36 months (an initial 1-year period and a 24-month OPT STEM extension) of paid work experience in the U.S. after graduation.
Program At a Glance
UNITS
36 units
ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME*
Full-time: 1–1.5 years
Part-time: 1.5–3 years
*Actual completion times will vary and may be higher, depending on full- or part-time course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.
COURSES BEGIN
Fall | Spring
DEGREE AWARDED
MS in Information Systems & Technology
Featured Courses
IST 302
Databases
Introduces concepts and techniques for database design and management emphasizing the relational model, query optimization and performance tuning, and more.
IST 303
Software Development
Provides an understanding of modern software development principles and practices to support more advanced information systems and technology courses.
IST 304
Communications & Networking
Introduces the concepts and terminology of data communication, network design, and distributed information systems.
IST 341
CS Insights via Python Programming
Engages with the full breadth of CS fundamentals, including computational thinking, software design strategies, the technologies underlying modern computation (circuits and assembly language), and both theoretical models and limits of computing.
IST 321
Delivering Value Through IS&T Leadership
Provides knowledge and techniques for students to understand how to influence and leverage Information Technology to a greater degree and integrate it with the company’s strategic business goals.
IST 340
Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
Studies the data mining process goal of discovering nontrivial, interesting, and actionable knowledge from data in databases.
Explore how massive volumes of data can be used to solve business and societal problems through data mining, specialized programming, and other computational skills. Learn More
Learn to develop transformative GIS solutions for organizations and companies through geographic data mapping, location-based services, and related technologies. Learn More
Study the relationship between information technology and health care services through a unique partnership with the School of Community and Global Health. Learn More
Partnerships
The Center for Information Systems and Technology (CISAT) at CGU participates in industry and academic partnerships designed to create internships, collaborations, practicum courses, and other opportunities. These include:
Esri
Claremont Graduate University’s comprehensive partnership with Esri, the world’s leading supplier of geographic information system (GIS) software, offers numerous benefits, including:
Scholarships for Esri employees
The Esri Development Center enables CGU students and faculty to teach and develop state-of-the-art applications in the university’s Advanced GIS Lab
GIS training and student recognition through an Esri-sponsored annual achievement award
Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance
CISAT is also a Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance Member, which gives our students and researchers access to the latest technologies for use in classroom assignments and projects.
IBM Watson Analytics Academic Program
To ensure students work with leading data analytics technologies, CISAT is part of the Watson Analytics Academic Program (WAP), which provides no-cost use of IBM® Watson Analytics software for classroom teaching and research.
Faculty & Research
Samir Chatterjee
Fletcher Jones Chair of Technology Design & Management
Research Interests
Design science research, Health informatics, Electronics and telecommunication engineering
Associate Professor of Information Systems & Technology
Research Interests
Data science, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Health Informatics, Mobile Health, Data Management, Data warehousing, Business intelligence, ICT4D
