<p>I'm trying to figure out if Master in Software Engineering or Master of Science in Information Systems Management would be better for me. I have an undergrad degree in CS and 1 year of industry experience, and I'm looking for a grad degree that would help increase my technical skill as well as enhance managerial knowledge.</p>
<p>What are the pros/cons of each degree for career advancement?</p>
<p>MSE seems to be better for a software architect, while the MSISM seems to be less techincal but more managerial-focused, like in the middle between an MSE and an MBA. Would it be better to get the MSE so I have strong technical skills, or the MSISM for a stronger business background. I'd like to be on the path to move up in the corporate world, but in a technological-based business.</p>
<p>You might want to post that in the Grad School threads.</p>
<p>Neither degree program is going to increase your managerial skills – absolutely neither. Both focus on technical skills-- although clearly a different focus.</p>
<p>You’ve probably already looked at the specific courses in both degree programs – but if not, look at the actual specific courses. Some overlap.</p>
<p>If you already have a very strong CS undergrad degree from another equally strong undergraduate program, then pick the program with courses that interest you most.
If your CS undergrad is not as strong technically, the Software Engineering program will give you the stronger technical skills to build upon. Both are very strong programs, but one gets into the theoretical side and one is more application driven.
Post graduate employment paths would differ from both programs.</p>
<p>Again, look at actual classes, and textbooks being used. See where you can enhance your skill set most.</p>
<p>You don’t think IS Management provides managerial skills? What would be the benefit of that degree? Since SE would be a much stronger techincal degree, the key advantage of the MISM looks like the business aspect of it. Do you think MISM is kind of a weak degree to get then?</p>
<p>OMG_- there are no “weak” degrees at Carnegie, I’m not sure how you jumped to that conclusion from my post.</p>
<p>Writing the back end code or the front end code are two different issues. The design of a web or the specific user end application differs from the language driving the application. At the Masters level, clearly the software engineering or IS programs are very closely related-- but as you look over the classes, you see the difference. You need to pick which one will add to your existing CS skill base. </p>
<p>When you speak about managerial skills, that means “organization” “leadership” “financial” – there are no courses in these subjects required of either degree program, but clearly you could pick up those types of skills in other Tepper classes.</p>
<p>There’s a new degree program in the Robotics institute precisely with goal of the “managerial” side of the technical degree:
This may be more of what you are seeking and could probably take some of these classes as well:
[Robotics</a> Institute: Master of Science - Robotic Systems Development (MRSD)](<a href=“http://www.ri.cmu.edu/MRSD]Robotics”>Academic Programs - The Robotics Institute Carnegie Mellon University)</p>
<p>my bad…thought you were looking at a different program.</p>
<p>It’s MISM
and yes, there are both technical and management courses in this degree program.
[MISM</a> Curriculum : Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College](<a href=“Master of Information Systems Management | Business is the Engine. Technology is the Power. | Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College”>Master of Information Systems Management | Business is the Engine. Technology is the Power. | Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College)</p>
<p>I would agree, with a CS undergrad degree you may have covered many of the technical courses – certainly programming and distributed systems. There are several core management courses in Economics, Finance and Accounting.<br>
Interesting tradeoff to a straight MBA?</p>
<p>This is a tough choice! If your current employer is going to fund your degree, perhaps you can gain some insights on which degree program would move you further in the organization?</p>
<p>Sorry, I mistyped that. Yes, it is MISM that I’m looking at. The benefit of that degree to me seems to be the added management (i.e. economics, finance, accounting) courses. But I wasn’t sure if it would be better to take those, or take the SE degree where the focus is on a more specific and lower-level management of software engineering in particular. The more general courses may not be as immediately useful to me. Thanks for the input though.</p>