<p>Hey, just wondering if someone could give me a quick rundown of MIS? I am interested in setting up networks for companies and managing it etc. (CCNA etc). I am also interested in cyber security and things related to that. Is MIS the right major for me? I was thinking about double majoring MIS & Accounting in case I really dont like MIS.</p>
<p>Didnt edit it fast enough: should I consider looking at Information Technology or Information Systems instead?</p>
<p>If you are interested in networking and security, MIS is not the way to go. Computer Science would be better. As an example, a typical CS program may have an entire class devoted to Cryptography/Cryptology. MIS will not have that.</p>
<p>MIS is more geared towards business application development. The required core for almost all MIS programs is the same…a basic network class, a database class, systems analysis and design class, 2-3 programming classes, a capstone type project course, and a couple of electives. Electives could be security based if offered. You could supplement an MIS degree with a network certification from a community college.</p>
<p>What he said. Also, CS will give you more flexibility than MIS should you want to do different CS-related things.</p>
<p>Would Information Technology be a better choice? I really do not want to do Computer Science</p>
<p>At many schools, an Information Technology major is just another name for MIS, sometimes in the business school and sometimes not. It generally is a less ‘technical’ version of CS when not in a business school. Typically for those intending to do business application development and/or network management. </p>
<p>You probably will not get the deep technical skills that you need to be a real techie security expert, although that could be learned outside of school. Both MIS and an IT major will enable you to learn the skills to know the basic security principles needed for network management and IT app development.</p>
<p>It really depends on what you want to do. I know lots of IT auditors with MIS degrees that audit the security functions of Fortune 500 companies but they lack the deep technical expertise like a hacker or CS major would have.</p>
<p>If you really do not want to do a full CS degree, you may still find that taking the CS courses (rather than the MIS/IS/IT courses) in operating systems, databases, networks, and security to be useful in giving you a much stronger technical background than most business-oriented MIS/IS/IT majors (and people working in MIS/IS/IT) would have. Of course, this will also require taking the introductory CS courses to prepare.</p>
<p>Would taking Information Systems be a better choice then?</p>
<p>Better choice than what? What kind of job do you want?</p>
<p>Something along the lines of managing a company’s infrastructure (servers email networking data etc). Minnesota has a Information Technology Infrastructure Major which i’m looking into but its in the CCE and i need 30-45 credits to get in so i would have to go in as Liberal arts or something like that first.
- Yes MIS is pretty similar to what i want to do, but most of the colleges focus more on the managing side with just a little hint of IS/IT (by looking at the courses + descriptions). I am just trying to find somewhere with a good program that has a good focus on IT as well.</p>
<p>BTW thanks for the help everyone, really do appreciate it!</p>
<p>I have managed a large network for a major corporation in the past. IMO, either a CS or a MIS college education will do the job fine. There are details you may have to learn on the job that is company specific, but in general, a good computer background will work fine.</p>
<p>If I were to get a MIS degree and self study for my CCNA etc. do you think that it would be enough to get hired to be a network manager? Each school I checkout has different courses, should I find one that has a higher concentration in IS?</p>
<ul>
<li>I have been looking at NYIT (<a href=“404 | | New York Tech”>http://www.nyit.edu/academics/course_list/ITEC/UG/</a>), however I’ve been looking around and it seems like NYIT isnt ranked too high in anything. Sure it may be a decent school, but will i be able to get internships / co-ops?</li>
</ul>
<p>It seems to me that your goals most closely align with IT.</p>
<p>It is not very hard to be hired as network manager. If you are certified, finding a job with NYIT degree is not difficult. Now a days, college experiences have been revolved around “fit” or “feelings” and connections, if you can find “fit” in NYIT, go ahead, NYIT should have enough on campus recruits for your specialty.</p>
<p>And it is not too difficult to be a network manager either. I was hired as an accountant and was able to self learn network management to make the transition, it was in the good old days where the network was just started, nevertheless.</p>
<p>You may also want to look at Stevens and Stoney Brook if you want to stay in NY area and NJIT on the lower end. Of course, if you are a super star, Coopers.</p>
<p>The location doesn’t really concern me, I’m willing to go anywhere I can get a decent education + internship/job. Do you know of any other schools that are decent in IT? I’ve been looking around and I just cant find anything. Thinking about just going MIS as u said its easy to work up to IT after getting certifications.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>What are your stats and resident state? How much you can pay? Large/small Schools? If NYIT is your match, then just about any school that has CS or Information Science will do. The line draw between MIS, IT and CS is getting blurred.</p>
<p>I think I have decided just to do MIS paired with accounting and probably work on my certifications on the side. Do you guys think that’s a good decision?</p>
<p>Great decision. An acct and MIS double major is tough to beat, lots and lots of jobs. You can still do network mgt but that combination of majors will give you ultimate flexibility for jobs both short and long term.</p>
<p>I was double majored in Accounting and MIS and you know what? I worked half my career as MIS and the other half in accounting or related field.</p>