How to Research and Rate Information Systems MBA Programs

An Information Systems MBA can help you secure a senior leadership position in IT, but only if you choose the right program. Here are some tips on how to research and rate Information Systems MBA programs.

  The following article is sponsored by Eller College of Management. Check out their highly ranked entrepreneurship, information systems, and sustainable energy MBA programs.   

1. Management Information Systems Rankings and Ratings

   Study the Management Information Systems rankings and ratings. Rankings and ratings give you an idea of which Information Systems MBA programs have the best reputations. They are also a good way to find out which schools offer Information Systems MBAs, since many schools are all listed in the same place. U.S. News & World Report ranks 25 US Schools that offer Information Systems MBA programs. Use the rankings to choose a dozen schools you would like to research. Later, you should narrow that list down to four to six schools.

1. MBA guidebooks and websites

   Read MBA guidebooks and websites, as well as business school blogs and information technology websites. Information technology websites can provide information about what to look for in an Information Systems MBA program, as well as stories about the career paths taken by MBA graduates. CIO Magazine publishes several MBA related articles, many of which are available for free online. Since the MBA is viewed differently in the IT world than the business world, reading tech publications will give you a better idea of how a particular school is regarded within the IT community. Business school blogs can give you MBA application advice written by admissions officers.

1. Business School Websites

   Look at the website for each school to see if the goals of their Information Systems MBA program meet your own career goals. Do they specialize in any particular areas? The Eller MIS/MBA program, for example, focuses on Business Intelligence and Analysis.

1. Management Information Systems Curriculum

   Research the curriculum to see what Management Information Systems courses are offered. Information Systems MBA curriculum focuses on computers, networks, and IT systems. Advanced Information Systems Management courses will give you the skills you need to develop your own small-scale information systems. Visit business school websites to find out what Information Systems Management courses are offered by each school. Check to see if the school offers courses related to growth areas such as data mining, interactive multimedia, business intelligence, and strategic IT management.

1. MBA Program Requirements

   When researching the curriculum, see what the school requires in terms of a technical background. If you did not major in IT during your undergraduate program, you may need to do some basic IT coursework.

1. MBA Program Flexibility

   When looking over the Information Systems MBA curriculum for each school, look for flexibility. Do the courses cover a wide range of subject areas or are they concentrated in one particular discipline? A program with a more diverse range of Information Systems Management courses will allow you to tailor the curriculum so it matches your career goals.

1. Career Information

   Once you have narrowed down your list based on curriculum, call the career services offices of the remaining schools. Ask about the Information Systems jobs their MBA students take after graduation. Find out where their Information Systems MBA graduates work and what their job roles and functions are. If you have a specific career job title in mind, ask for examples of graduates who work in that position.

1. Admissions Requirements

   Look at the average GPA and GMAT for each school. This information is offered in many business school directories throughout the Internet, including many of the profiles here on Top MBA Connect.

These steps should help you narrow down your choices to four to six schools. For advice on how to apply to schools, check out our articles on the MBA application resume, and the MBA letter of recommendation.