MIS in Canada

What is Management of Information Systems? 

The Management of Information Systems (MIS) degree features a mix between a computer science and information systems degrees with a focus on business. MIS is an indispensable part of today’s professional landscape. Day to Day work life is increasingly being managed by these systems that dictate the work procedure and therefore MIS finds vast application in various sectors like trade and commerce, manufacturing, small businesses, healthcare, education and government organizations and many others. For instance, it is applicable in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems handling everyday interactions with clients and prospects to financial systems issuing an invoice and paying bills.

The MIS course offered by universities in Canada is highly informative and provides a good insight into the vast field of Management Information Systems. Not only does it provide basic knowledge about MIS, but it also informs students about how it can be implemented within different types of organizations.

It covers various supporting tech infrastructures like Cloud, Databases and Big Data. Over and above these, it also covers MIS development/procurement process and main integrated system, ERPs like SAP®, Oracle® or Microsoft Dynamics Navision® as well as their relationship with Business Process Redesign.

The MIS course focuses on the nature of the work involved and how it impacts the organization. It provides an explanation about how influential it is to current or prospective jobs. It gives an insight about why it imposes specific and sometimes seemingly absurd operational procedures. It also helps the students use this knowledge to their advantage in their professional life. Also, it uses real world examples to illustrate key concepts and strikes a balance between clarity and conceptual soundness.

Sub-types of Management of Information Systems
MIS is a graduate level degree program, which is usually offered through schools of business or management. Most of the MIS master’s programs can be completed in 18-24 months. The program covers solutions to problems that arise in business such as calculating the costs of production, labor and marketing. It gives an enhanced solution with respect to the technologies used and procedures adapted to overcome such problems.

MIS courses offer a hands-on experience with either in-classroom computers or separate computer labs. Students get to study Project Management, Database Management, Information Systems and Programming. Some of the courses offered include Healthcare Information System, Software Design and Integration, Business Communications, Web Computing and Mining,  Social and Ethical Issues of the Internet,  Business Foundations for IT, Information Technology Audit, Information Systems Analysis and Design,   Information Security in Public and Private Sectors and  Business Data Communications & Networking. The program requires 33 credit hours of coursework in business, technology and managerial subjects.

Why should I study MIS in Canada?
Canada is known for a seamless education system and if you are an international student considering applying for a course in one among the several branches of computer science or IT, it would be good to get a closer look at the benefits of studying computer science in Canada. The highlights of studying the courses offered in Canada include:

• A degree that is recognized internationally.
• Acquiring student visa and admission at Canadian institutions is relatively easy.
• The Canadian institutions offer a great variation in the types of programs pertaining to the field of Computer Science and other engineering specializations.
• To help the students understand the subjects better, the programs at the Canadian institutions offer a rigorous theoretical background.
• The institutions keep track of the rapidly changing industrial requirements and adaptations are made in the program accordingly.

The field of Business Information Systems is based on information and communication technologies that are used for the purpose of enhancing and supporting business activities, by identifying the organizational requirements and determining the best and most effective solutions. This discipline studies the relationship between the company employees and technology and the influence they cast on the success of the business. Graduates of this discipline can take up a career in the IT field, working as an IT consultant, database administrator, systems developer and more.

Admission requirements
Educational institutions in Canada may have different eligibility criteria for admission, but there is a list of basic admission requirements that are asked by institutions for admission in Computer Science in Canada.

Academic requirements:
For international student (Non US citizen) following is the list of requirements based on academics:

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or more.
• GMAT or GRE score (There is no required minimum score. The test should be taken within the last five years of the term intended for enrolment).
• TOEFL minimum score: 80 (internet based testing) or IELTS Minimum score: 7

Documents required:
For an international student (Non US citizen), the following are the documents required to pursue MS in MIS:

• Copies of official transcripts/academic records.
• Copies of GMAT or GRE scores.
• Official TOEFL/IELTS scores (the acquired degree should not be older than a period of two years from the term of enrolment.)
• Provide a resume which includes work experience/internship along with dates of employment.
• Provide two letters of recommendation.
• Provide a personal statement that mentions your career objectives and in what ways do you expect your MIS graduate education to enhance your career goals.
• A completed Graduate College Application (inclusive of the application fee payment).

When should I apply?
Canada’s university system is internationally renowned. The application needs to be submitted before the deadline of the university. Every university has a specific deadline for spring and fall admits respectively.
Listed below are the application deadlines for the top 3 universities for MS in Management of Information Systems in Canada.

Cost
Famed as one among the sturdiest economies in the world, Canadians enjoy a high standard of living. Even then, the tuition and living costs at Canadian universities are less as compared to US universities. At the post-graduate level (for Masters in Canada) the Commonwealth scholarship is one of the sources of financing for Canadian universities, but it is restricted to a very limited number of students, who have an exceedingly high intellectual promise and who reside in Commonwealth countries. The tuition and fees for most international undergraduate studies (for one year) may differ from CDN $15,000 to CDN $50,000 (most of the courses may range around CDN $25,000).

Income scale after Graduation
The MIS degree is a blend of computer science and information systems degrees with a focus on business. Like many other sectors, the financial and business world rely heavily upon computers and networking for the continuous flow of operations.
The MIS program is beneficial for those students who pursue a career in computer and information sciences. It provides an added insight to the funding and business perspective of these positions. Having such experience and knowledge could turn out to be an important asset for many job candidates and will help to give them an advantage in obtaining employment with well reputed companies. There are several career options for a student who has completed an MIS program. The salary and opportunities for career growth may vary on the basis of the course that is studied and the career pursued.
A student with MIS (Management Information Systems) major is able to find jobs in the vast lineup of tasks that are required to create and preserve complex financial computing systems. Many job positions are attainable with a Bachelor’s degree in MIS or a related field such as computer science or information science. Some Master’s degree programs in MIS are available, including MBA programs, and can open progressive career opportunities.