How the Smeal College of Business Can Make the Management Information System Major a Top Ten Ranked Program
Open Access
Author:
Speros, Demetrios James
Area of Honors:
Management Information Systems
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
John C Spychalski, Thesis Supervisor Robert Alexander Novack, Honors Advisor
Keywords:
MIS Smeal Management Information Systems
Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to understand why the Management Information Systems (MIS) major in the Smeal College of Business is ranked 29th according to the ranking published by U.S. News & World Report in 2019. In order to answer this question, this paper will explain what competitive advantages the top ten universities’ MIS or related majors have over Smeal’s MIS program. These competing MIS programs will be assessed by factors such as their MIS curriculum, faculty in the department, course offerings, and student data. Through analysis of the MIS program at Penn State and those at the top ten universities, it is apparent that Smeal’s MIS program lacks the resources necessary to host a well-rounded MIS program and is understaffed in the faculty for the major. Competing MIS programs at these other universities offer more complex curriculums through multiple MIS concentrations and/or electives which is supportable by their department. Through this research, it is recommended that Smeal introduces a new MIS core course in a programming language, implements a multiple concentration structure to its MIS curriculum and hires new MIS faculty to support these additions.
