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Systems Analysis Graduate Certificate

College of Management / Management Information Systems
Graduate certificate

About The Program

Metropolitan State University offers graduate certificate programs designed to meet the rapidly-evolving needs of information systems and business professionals in the field of management information systems (MIS).

The MIS Systems Analysis and Design Graduate Certificate has similar goals and outcomes to the MIS Generalist Certificate, but is tailored more towards MIS and IT technical and technical management audiences. Emphasis is placed on development of new systems, design and decision-support concepts and techniques. By completing this certificate, you are better prepared to use new system design methodologies to improve the systems in your organization and to oversee development projects in traditional IT systems, client/server systems and distributed systems, including Internet and web technologies.

The expected outcomes include:

  • improved preparation for management in an increasingly information-intensive world,
  • ability to develop organizational strategies based on using MIS as competitive tools, and
  • broadening of your knowledge of MIS management areas, including project management, and of MIS technology and its application.

Student outcomes

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Gainful employment programs are those "that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation." Public institutions are required to report this information for all undergraduate and graduate programs that are Title IV eligible and that lead to certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates or specialist awards. Degree programs at all levels are not considered to be gainful employment programs.

Potential Career Opportunities

  • Systems Analysis
  • Computer Technician
  • Technical Support
  • Information Technology Specialist
  • Computer Operator
  • System Development
  • Web Development

How to enroll

Program eligibility requirements

Must have earned a baccalaureate degree.

International Students

This is not a degree-granting program, therefore applications from international students studying on an F-1 student visa cannot be accepted into this program.

Application instructions

Metro State University is participating in the common application for graduate programs (BusinessCAS). Applications are only accepted via the CAS website.

CAS steps

  1. Select the term for which you are seeking admission (below), and navigate to the CAS website. Open applications include:
  2. Create or log in to your account and select the Systems Analysis Graduate Certificate program.
  3. Carefully review all instructions and complete all four sections of the application.

Specific application requirements for individual programs can be found on each program page in CAS. Carefully read the instructions that appear throughout the application pages. You can only submit your application once. If you need to update information you have submitted, please notify graduate.studies@metrostate.edu

Application fee

A nonrefundable $58 fee is required for each application.
Applications will not be processed until this fee is received.

Active-duty military, veterans, and Metro State alumni can receive an application fee waiver. Contact graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

If the Director of the MIS Graduate Program determines that you have full prior competence in a certificate course, you may be given credit for the competency and allowed to take sufficient alternate credits to meet the total credit requirement of the certificate (e.g. if you have completed a graduate 4 credit Project Management course that is accepted, you would be allowed to consider that function completed within the Certificate, and can then take an alternate 4 credits, agreed upon with the Director).

Requirements (20 credits) Courses listed plus 4 additional MIS credits

Management Information Systems (MIS) evolved from essentially an organization's support operation to a strategic element of an organization's life and survival. This course explores information systems' new and expanding roles in the enterprise. Models examined showing how new technologies are assimilated into the organization, how to plan for systems within the overall strategic management process, assess the risk in system development projects, and become a "sophisticated user" of information systems. Traditional and new technologies are utilized. The course also includes a solid review of the strategic and tactical impact of computers, networks and new technologies. . This course broadens understanding of the design and implementation of various computerized information systems to support management decision making and evaluation, and prepares the student to integrate new technologies and configurations into the management process.

Full course description for Management Information Systems

This course provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of project leadership and management. Topics covered include all aspects of project management from project initiation issues, RFP formulation, proposal decisions, preparation, and evaluation, project planning and implementation to organization, risk assessment, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Also included are project planning techniques such as PERT, CPM, Earned Value Analysis, and project monitoring and simulation using Microsoft Project software.

Full course description for Project Management

This course will cover a range of Internet and telecommunications services, applications and the management of telecommunications operations within a business enterprise. It will address the impact of various telecommunications services on day-to-day business operations and analyze the productivity and revenue-enhancement potential available to business. This course is targeted at students who are working business managers with a need to understand the impact of the new and emerging telecommunications services and how they can be harnessed to add value to business operations.

Full course description for Telecommunications and Internet Management - Part One

Databases represent not only data storage, but critical organizational assets. MIS professionals must not only understand the basics of database management and relational design, but must also know how to leverage these assets for competitive advantage. This course covers database design and implementation and creation of information and standards. Client/Server technology represents an important part of modern database applications. It allows the firm to implement database applications as efficiently as possible in networked environments. Competence in the application, development, evaluation, management and use of corporate and external databases, including client/server technologies are skills needed by all business people. More importantly it is critical to MIS professionals given the vast array of options and new tools available. Topics in distributed database management including transaction management, concurrency control, deadlocks, replicated database management, query…

Full course description for Database and Client/Server Systems

New systems design approaches and techniques are providing extraordinary strategic opportunities to organizations that recognize and implement them. This course shows students state-of-the-art systems design from a managerial perspective rather than a strictly technical approach. Managers who wish to get the most out of new and existing information systems and technical people who wish to see where systems may be going have the opportunity to do so in this class. Beyond current approaches, students are also presented with basic information on new technologies including artificial intelligence and expert systems, which many believe will play a critical role in future systems.

Full course description for Systems Design and Decision Support