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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What can I do with an MS in MIS degree? The Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS) degree is designed to give students the skills and background needed to develop and manage an organization's information resources, technology, and infrastructure. It will serve as a source of added knowledge and experience for MIS graduates and practitioners interested in obtaining an advanced degree. It will also provide career growth opportunities for the non-MIS and non-business degree holders who find that their careers demand graduate level MIS education. Students educated in the program will be qualified for a variety of business system analyst, MIS analyst, consulting analyst, and technology management positions. They will also be qualified for admission to doctoral programs in information systems studies. A community advisory committee helps keep the program current with the needs of the business community.

  2. I had statistics in my undergraduate program. Do I have to take it again? In most cases, only one semester of undergraduate statistics is not sufficient to cover the foundation requirement. However, if the course covered ANOVA, Multiple Regression, and Multiple Correlation, then submit the syllabus with a request to waive the second semester to the MS in MIS Director.

  3. I see the courses are always offered at night. Are there any courses offered during the day? ISQA graduate courses (8000-level) are offered during the evening hours. The earliest that courses start is 4:00 PM, and that includes only a limited number of courses offered. Most classes begin at 5:30 PM and end at 8:10 PM.

  4. Do I have to take the GMAT/GRE? The GMAT/GRE may be waived if you have earned a minimum of a 3.25 GPA in a minimum of three foundation courses taken at UNO. For a list of foundation courses, please see the Graduate Catalog or click on ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS in left-hand margin of this page. (A student enrolled as non-degree in the Graduate College must receive authorization to enroll in Foundation Courses. Contact pwolcott@mail.unomaha.edu)

  5. Although I have not had the formal coursework, what is covered in the foundation courses is what I have been doing at my job. Can I get the foundation course waived? See the instructor(s) of the foundation course(s) you want waived. The instructor will determine whether to recommend to waiving the course.

  6. Are there scholarships that are available to Graduate Students? How about Graduate Assistantships? There is a range of scholarships available to graduate students, with many of them being referenced on the FINANCIAL AID section of this website. Additional monies may be available. Check with UNO Financial Aid for further information (402) 554-2327, or visit their Web site: http://www.ses.unomaha.edu/finaid/. Also, click on FINANCIAL AID in left-hand margin of this page. There are a limited number of Graduate Assistantships available. You must apply for this position. Contact the MS in MIS Director (pwolcott@mail.unomaha.edu) or the Administrative Assistant (402) 554-3770 for an application. Graduate Assistantships cover Tuition costs (not including fees or books), as well as provide a stipend. The workload averages 20 hours a week.

  7. How do I go about signing up for courses when BRUNO will not let me in without authorization? Where can I get this authorization? To obtain authorization for courses in the MS in MIS program, send an e-mail to the Director of the Program, pwolcott@mail.unomaha.edu, that includes the call number of the course, the name of the course, and your student identification number. Authorization will be granted if you meet all conditions for the course.

  8. Is there a particular order to the program? Are there courses that I should take before others? There is flexibility within the program, although some of the graduate courses require completion of another course in the program before enrolling. An example is ISQA 8210 (Software Project Management) which has a prerequisite of ISQA 8220 (Systems Analysis and Design). It is wise to have a general layout of your entire program so that you do not count on taking a course during a specific semester, just to find out you need a prerequisite that you have not completed. Any questions about which courses have prerequisites may be answered in the Graduate Catalog, from faculty/staff in the MS in MIS program, or on our website. Please see Carla Frakes, MS in MIS Advisor, before your first semester to develop a Plan of Study. You are to first complete your Foundation courses. We recommend that you then complete the core, followed by the electives.

  9. I started a similar graduate program at another school. Can any of those hours transfer to the MS in MIS program at UNO? Please contact the Program Director at pwolcott@mail.unomaha.edu or (402) 554-3158.

  10. Where do I send my GRE/GMAT Scores? Have your scores sent directly from the testing center to the University of Nebraska at Omaha Graduate College. Do not send them directly to the MS in MIS Director, as a formal procedure that takes place in the Graduate College Office has to be followed.

  11. My admission letter indicates I need to take several foundation courses. I think I have covered these courses in previous coursework or in job experience. What is the procedure to waive foundation courses? See the instructor(s) of the foundation course(s) you want waived. The instructor will determine whether to recommend to waiving the course.

  12. Are the core courses and foundation courses offered on a set schedule? Although there is somewhat of a "set" schedule for courses, we can not guarantee that we will offer any specific course in a given semester. For course schedule, click on COURSE SCHEDULE in left-hand margin of this page. Check http://www.ses.unomaha.edu/records/sched/ for up to date information.

  13. I graduated from UNO with the BA in MIS. Is the MS in MIS just a rehash of the undergraduate program? The undergraduate program in MIS is an excellent foundation for the MS in MIS. However, the graduate courses go into more depth, as well as additional topics, than the undergraduate level courses.

  14. What is the best way to get in touch with the director of the program, Dr. Wolcott? Best ways to reach the Program Director is to telephone him at (402) 554-3158 or e-mail him at pwolcott@mail.unomaha.edu.

  15. How do I get in touch with the Graduate College? The Graduate College can be reached at (402) 554-2341, or online at http://www.unomaha.edu/graduate/

  16. Is there a resource on the Internet for me to look at this information? Yes. You can go to http://www.isqa.unomaha.edu/. There are links to the MS in MIS program, as well as other news items relevant to the program at this location.

  17. I am having technical troubles registering with BRUNO, either through the phone and online. Who should I talk with about this? You should contact the Registrar (402-554-2314), or you may find answers to your question on the Internet http://www.ses.unomaha.edu/registrar/

  18. Where can I get information about the Omaha job market, housing, etc.? There is a general site on the Internet that can answer most of your questions. The address is www.omaha.org. You can also feel free to contact the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

  19. Is there a way for me to tell if a course is nearing capacity during registration to assure I get signed up in time before it fills? You can check the status of any course online at the following address: http://www.ses.unomaha.edu/records/sched/. Once you choose the academic semester you want to look at, there is a link, "Course Scan with Seats Available" that will let you know how many seats are available.

  20. Where do I check about the status of my application? The MS in MIS program does not receive an application until the Graduate College has received all required parts. If you have not received an official letter from the Director of the MS in MIS program or from the Graduate College, please contact the Graduate College, (402) 554-2341.

  21. I don't have any background in computers. Will I be able to get through the program okay? A good assumption is that if you do not have a background in computers, then you need to take the foundation courses for the program. The foundation courses are in place to give you just that: a foundation so that you will be able to succeed in the MS in MIS program.

  22. How do I arrange an Independent Study to fulfill ISQA 8900? Both the student and the faculty member that has agreed to work with the student must sign an Independent Research Agreement and file it with the MS in MIS Director, PKI 177E, before registering for the course. This agreement will detail the project, the schedule for its completion, the form of the output, the method of evaluation, and other relevant information pertaining to the project. You must have 18 hours completed in the program before you can register for ISQA 8900.

  23. What are the deadlines for admission? The deadline for submitting an application for fall admission is July 1. The deadline for spring admission is December 1. The deadline for summer admission is April 1.

Still have questions after reading the above? Please contact the MS in MIS Program Director, Dr. Peter Wolcott by e-mail (pwolcott@mail.unomaha.edu) or by phone (402) 554-3158.

This page was updated on January 16, 2007.