MS in Information Systems

The Software Development Concentration addresses the foundations, methodologies, and tools for developing high quality large-scale software systems, with an emphasis on the technical issues of software development. Online Learning Learning opportunities are available for this concentration.
Master of Science 2024 through2025

Information Systems

About the Program

Curriculum Requirements

Introductory Courses

No Introductory Course may be substituted for any other course at any level.

Introductory courses may be waived for any of the following conditions based on faculty review:

  • The student has the appropriate course work to satisfy an Introductory Course based on an official transcript review by faculty and successful grades, typically B or better.
  • The student has appropriate and verified professional experience to satisfy an Introductory Course which is demonstrated through successful completion of a GAE exam.
  • If a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) is available for the Introductory Courses, upon successfully completion of a GAE, a waiver will be issued.
  • Plan accordingly prior to start of the term, faculty reviews for possible course waivers can take a few weeks. For newly admitted students, possible course waivers will not be initiated until an Intent to Enroll form has been submitted.
  • IS 411
  • IT 403

Foundation Courses

  • IS 421
  • IS 430
  • IS 435
  • IS 451
  • IS 460
  • IS 468

Major Elective

16 credit hours of Major Electives are required and are subject to the following criteria:

  • Students take at least 12 credit hours of courses from one of the domains below.
  • Students must take at least two (2) 500-level courses.

  • Project Management and Business Analysis

  • IS 431
  • IS 535
  • IS 556
  • IS 570
  • IS 586

  • Analytics-Driven Decision Making

  • DSC 423
  • DSC 465
  • IS 436
  • IS 452
  • IS 550
  • IS 574

  • IT Governance and Legal Responsibilities

  • CSEC 440
  • IS 424
  • IS 444
  • IS 482
  • IS 486
  • IS 487
  • IS 505
  • IS 506
  • IS 511
  • IS 568

  • Data Management

  • CSC 452
  • CSC 454
  • IS 549
  • IS 550

  • Digital Transformation & Entrepreneurship

  • IS 431
  • IS 478
  • IS 531
  • IS 580

Open Elective

Students must complete four (4) credit hour of Open Electives. CSC, CSEC, DSC, ECT, GAM, GPH, HCI, HIT, IS, IT, NET, PM, or SE course in the 421-699 range qualifies.

Capstone Options

Four (4) credit hours are required for the capstone. Students have the option of completing either (a) IS 577 (Information Systems capstone course) or IS 531 (Digital Innovation Strategies, Processes and Tools ), (b) a Graduate Internship (4 credits), (c) two quarters of CSC 500 (a Research Colloquium course), (d) IS 696 (a Master's Project course), or (e) a Master’s Thesis.

Capstone Options
  • IS 531
  • IS 577
Graduate Internship

An internship offers students the opportunity integrate their academic experience with on-the-job training in information systems. Students must enroll in CSC 697 for four (4) credit hours to satisfy the practicum requirement. These are the steps:     

475: Information Systems (MS)     

  1. Secure an internship with a focus in information systems.
  2. International Students must obtain the appropriate practical training form and meet with an advisor in the CDM Academic Center for approval.
  3. Login to MyCDM and click the “MyInternships” link on the left to start the course enrollment process.
Research Options
  • CSC 500 This is a course for two (2) credit hours therefore students must enroll in the course in each of two (2) separate quarters.
  • Master's Research
    Up to eight (8) credit hours with Major Elective substitutions.
  • IS 696
  • Master’s Thesis. A student who has made an original contribution to the area may choose to complete a Master’s Thesis. The process is:
    1. Complete IS 590 as a Major Elective substitution.
    2. The student and the student’s research advisor form a Master’s Thesis Committee of three (3) faculty.
    3. The student enrolls in IS 698 for two (2) consecutive quarters. In the event, the students has not completed the thesis within these two (2) quarters, the student will be allowed to register for the zero (0) credit hour course CSC 698 and the transcript will show the thesis title as the course topic.
    4. The student will need to submit to the committee a thesis detailing the results of the research project. After a public defense, the committee will decide whether to accept the thesis.


Degree Requirements

Students in this degree program must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete a minimum of 48 graduate credit hours in addition to any required introductory courses of the designated degree program.
  • Complete all graduate courses and requirements listed in the designated degree program.
  • Earn a grade of C- or better in all courses of the designated degree program.
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Students pursuing a second (or more) graduate degree may not double count or retake any course that applied toward the completion of a prior graduate degree. If a required course in the second degree was already completed and applied toward a previous degree, the student must meet with a faculty advisor to discuss a new course to be completed and substituted in the new degree. This rule also applies to cross-listed courses, which are considered to be the same course but offered under different subjects.
  • Students pursuing a second master's degree must complete a minimum of 48 graduate credit hours beyond their first designated degree program in addition to any required introductory courses in their second designated degree program.

Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.

For DePaul's policy on repeat graduate courses and a complete list of academic policies see the DePaul Graduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.