Master of Business Education (MBE)
The Faculty and the Department
Policies
MBE Degree Requirements
Master of Science (M.S.) in Information Systems
MS Admission Requirements
MS Degree Requirements
Certificate in Business Computing
Credit Limitation

BIS Course Descriptions

Link to Department of Business Information Systems web site


Monica Holmes, Chairperson
305 Grawn Hall, (989) 774-3554

Frank J. C. Andera, Ed.D., Business Communication, Information Systems, Research
James J. Cappel, Ph.D.., Management Information Systems, Research
Nancy Csapo, Ph.D., Business Teacher Education
Richard D. Featheringham, Ed.D., Business Teacher Education, Business Communication
Dale D. Gust, Ph.D., Management Information Systems
Roger L. Hayen, D.B.A., Management Information Systems, Research
Monica Holmes, Ph.D., Management Information Systems, Research
Mark I. Hwang, Ph.D., Management Information Systems
James P. Scott, Ph.D., Management Information Systems, Research

Business Education emphasis is available in the Master of Arts in Secondary Education Degree and consists of 15 hours.  Refer to BIS graduate courses offered for this degree and additional program information.

Master of Business Education (MBE)
The Master of Business Education degree (M.B.E.), a unique and specialized degree, provides advanced study for current and/or prospective teachers in secondary schools, area vocational schools, community and junior colleges, and four-year colleges. In addition to coursework in which current technology is used to solve business and educational problems, the program teaches an understanding and appreciation for curriculum development, psychological principles of learning as applied to the teaching of business subjects, and relevant research techniques.

CMU is the only institution in Michigan to offer the M.B.E.; it is offered by a limited number of institutions nationwide. The department also offers courses which may be used to fulfill the requirements for an emphasis in business education on the Master of Arts in Secondary Education and electives on the Master of Business Administration. The M.B.E. program can be planned to include courses necessary for continuing vocational certification or the 18-hour Planned Program for continuing teacher certification.
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The Faculty and the Department
The faculty for the M.B.E. program are nationally recognized and professionally active. Gamma Sigma Chapter of Delta Pi Epsilon, a national graduate research-oriented honorary, is sponsored by the department, and an annual conference provides opportunities for graduate students to interact with national leaders and authors. The faculty often sponsor and participate in statewide activities for professional development of business education teachers. The importance of computers and technology in preparation for success in the business world is a top priority, and courses' content and activities reflect that concern.
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Policies
Admission to College of Graduate Studies
To be considered for admission to the M.B.E. program, a student must be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies. The Application for Admission should be sent to the College of Graduate Studies at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the first semester of anticipated enrollment in classes.
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Admission to the Master of Business Education
To be admitted to the Master of Business Education program, a student must meet the university requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and also have at least one of the following: (1) GMAT: a total of at least 950 points based on the formula: 200 times the undergraduate GPA (4.0 system) plus a minimum GMAT score of 400; (2) GMAT: at least 1000 points based on the formula: 200 times the upper-division GPA (4.0 system) plus a minimum GMAT score of 400; (3) GRE: combined verbal and mathematics GRE test score of at least 1000; (4) GRE: a total of at least 1400 points on verbal and mathematics sections based on the formula: 200 times the undergraduate GPA (4.0 system) plus the combined GRE score.

A Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score or a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score must be on file in the College of Business Administration or the College of Graduate Studies before an applicant for admission to the M.B.E. program can be considered. Applicants lacking a GMAT score or a GRE score are granted Non-Degree Admission to the College of Graduate Studies. A student with Non-Degree Admission generally may register for: (1) Level One undergraduate (prerequisite) courses only, (2) a maximum of six hours of BIS graduate courses, or (3) up to 18 hours of BIS graduate courses included on a signed 18-Hour Planned Program. Courses completed under Non-Degree Admission may count on an M.B.E. program only with an advisor's consent.
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Degree Requirements
A. Level 1 - Prerequisites
A student is required to have at least an undergraduate minor in business teacher education or a business ad- ministration field related to the option chosen, a work- ing knowledge of computers (BIS 221 or equivalent), a touch keyboarding skill (BIS 113 or equivalent), and satisfactory coursework in statistics (STA 282 or equiva- lent). These prerequisites may be met through course- work or work experience.

B. Level 2 - MBE Core (15-18 hours):
BIS 601 (3) Management Information Systems
BIS 603 (3) Curriculum in Business Education
BIS 660 (3) Administrative Business Communication
BIS 790 (3) Research in Business Education
BIS 791 (3) Independent Research OR
BIS 798 (6) Thesis

C. Level 3 - Specialized Options (12-15 hours)
(Choose one)
MASTER TEACHER:
BIS 612 (3) Improvement of Instruction in Office Cluster OR
BIS 616 (3) Improvement of Instruction in Marketing
BIS 555 (3-6) Technology in Business
Business content course(s) (3-6)
Electives selected with advisor’s approval (3-6)

POST-SECONDARY INSTRUCTOR:
Business content courses (6)
BIS 620 (3) Teaching Business Subjects at the Post- Secondary Level
Electives selected with advisor's approval (6-9)

CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION:
BIS 652 (3) Problems in Vocational Education
BIS 653 (3) Principles and Philosophy of Vocational Education
BIS 688 (3) Directed Work/Observation/Internship
EAD 664 (3) Public School Finance
EAD 666 (3) Public School Law
Electives selected with advisor's approval (3)

Total: 33-77 credit hours
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Master of Science (M.S.) in Information Systems
The Program
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Information Systems is designed for the student who does not have a bachelor’s degree in information systems or related computing field. Graduates will be prepared for systems positions in business and industry, including such areas as health care administration and law enforcement, and for teaching positions in community and four year colleges.
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Admission Requirements
To be considered for regular admission, an applicant must have (a) a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, (b) an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of study, and (c) completed four prerequisite courses with a grade point average of at least 2.7 and no course grade lower than “C”. The prerequisites are: Computer competency (BIS 221, Computers in Business I), Principles of Accounting I (ACC 201), Principles of Accounting II (ACC 202), Mathematics for Business I (MTH 116) or Calculus I (MTH 132), and Introduction to Statistics (STA 282).

Applicants who have not satisfied the prerequisite course requirements will be considered for conditional admission, but they must complete the prerequisites before beginning their graduate course work.
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Degree Requirements1
Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits, pass a comprehensive examination, and satisfy a research requirement through completion of a thesis (Plan A) or an applied project (Plan B).

A. Required Courses (13 credits)
BIS 630 (3) Systems Analysis and Design
BIS 640 (2) Essentials of Transaction Processing Systems
BIS 643 (2) Essentials of Database Management
BIS 633 (3) Decision Support Systems
BIS 634 (3) Information Resources Management

B. Area of Concentration (8 credits)
A planned course of study in one of the following area, to be approved by the graduate advisor. No more than two 500-level courses may be used in any concentration.
Business Processing Engineering
Systems Applications
General Business

C. Electives (3 credits)
Electives are to be selected in consultation with the graduate advisor.

D. Research Requirement (6 credits)

Plan A (6 credits)
a. Completion of a thesis, including an oral examination over the thesis.
b. Pass a written comprehensive examination in information systems.

Plan B (6 credits)
a. BIS 660 (3) Administrative Business Communications
b. Electives (3) chosen in consultation with graduate advisor related to the Plan B written project.
c. To provide evidence of scholarship, each student will complete a substantial written report in the application of information systems within an organization. The project will typically include significant information systems development activity demonstrating evidence of creative ability.
d. Pass a written comprehensive examination in information systems.
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Certificate in Business Computing
The certificate program consists of 15 semester hours of computer-related courses which must be authorized by a BIS graduate advisor. The plan should be authorized before the student completes six semester hours of work.

The same grade-point requirements as used for degree programs will apply to the certificate program. A maximum of six credits hours of equivalent graduate course work may be transferred in from a regionally accredited institution. Certificates will be awarded by the College of Graduate Studies upon successful completion.

The certificate may be earned by holders of a bachelor’s degree (or higher).

Prerequisites: (a) A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, (b) earned an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 in the last two years of study, and completed five prerequisite courses with a grade point average of at least 2.7 and no course grade lower than "C." The prerequisite courses are: Computers in Business I (BIS 221) or equivalent, Principles of Accounting (ACC 201) or equivalent, Principles of Accounting II (ACC 202) or equivalent, Mathematics for Business I (MTH 116) or Calculus I (MTH 132) or equivalent, and Introduction to Statistics (STA 282) or equivalent. Courses cannot be taken CR/NC.

A. Required Courses (8-10 hours)
BIS 601 (3) Management Information Systems
BIS 630 (3) Systems Analysis and Design OR
BIS 641 (2) Essentials of Business Systems Analysis and Design
BIS 640 (2) Essentials of Transaction Processing Systems
BIS 643 (2) Essentials of Database Management

B. Electives (5-7 hours)
With the approval of an advisor, select 5 to 7 credit hours from the following BIS-related electives for a total of 15 credit hours:
BIS 633 (3) Decision Support Systems OR
BIS 644 (3) Decision Support for Management
BIS 634 (3) Information Resources Management
BIS 635 (3) Business Systems Applications
BIS 697 (3) Special Studies in Business Information Systems
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Credit Limitation. Courses in the department that are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy covering unspecified content or variable credit are the following: BIS 555, 597, 686,688, 697, 701 and 791.
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