We've reached the halfway point in the semester, and things are still going great. This is, of course, a stressful time in the semester for students and faculty alike - assignments, mid-terms, and project deliverables all seem to converge during this time. But it is also a good time to stop (but for just a few minutes, since we have so much to do) and reflect on where we are in our journey.
Our students have come very far, and are entrenched in the hands-on application of technology and business concepts that will help them achieve a higher level in their understanding of information systems. Our faculty members have helped students along the path, and now (as always) face the challenge of assessing student progress, making sure everyone is ready for the next step, and guiding students in the right direction to meet the learning objectives of each course and of the MIS program. Between now and December, students will continue to build on the foundation laid so far, integrating their learnings to meet increasingly complex challenges. And at the end of the semester, they will look back on what they learned, see how far they have come, and look forward to the next leg on their journey.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
MIS Program Objectives
While preparing for a meeting with the MIS Advisory Committee, where we continue to improve and refine our programs, I pulled up a copy of the Master of Information Systems "Learning Objectives." This document consists of a short narrative paragraph describing the focus of the program, the expectations of incoming students, and the goals of coursework in the program. That paragraph is followed by a more detailed list of several specific objectives, ranging from technology development to teamwork.
This seems to be a fairly standard statement of program learning objectives. It is also the sort of statement that could be easy to lose sight of when considering possibilities for improving and expanding the program, reaching more people, offering more classes, and covering more topics. Consider the first sentence from the learning objectives:
"The MIS program provides preparation for the business student at the graduate level to master information systems technology and achieve success in their careers..." To focus in, just a little more: "... to master information systems technology..."
A master of woodworking must be able to visualize how components can be designed, formed, and assembled to create a product of exceptional quality, but must also be adept in the use jigs, routers, lathes, drills, and saws to achieve that vision.
A master of information systems must be able to visualize how processes, systems, and data can be integrated to solve difficult problems and generate significant value, but must also be adept in the use of technology to support business operations, model requirements, develop applications, analyze data, and improve decision-making to achieve that vision.
This is our shared vision, when we look at various ways to improve and expand the program. And this is the vision that brought us to where we are today, with a program that provides hands-on experience with some of the most widely used systems and technologies in modern business, cutting-edge curriculum delivered by world-class faculty, and practical application to solve real problems and provide real value.
This seems to be a fairly standard statement of program learning objectives. It is also the sort of statement that could be easy to lose sight of when considering possibilities for improving and expanding the program, reaching more people, offering more classes, and covering more topics. Consider the first sentence from the learning objectives:
"The MIS program provides preparation for the business student at the graduate level to master information systems technology and achieve success in their careers..." To focus in, just a little more: "... to master information systems technology..."
A master of woodworking must be able to visualize how components can be designed, formed, and assembled to create a product of exceptional quality, but must also be adept in the use jigs, routers, lathes, drills, and saws to achieve that vision.
A master of information systems must be able to visualize how processes, systems, and data can be integrated to solve difficult problems and generate significant value, but must also be adept in the use of technology to support business operations, model requirements, develop applications, analyze data, and improve decision-making to achieve that vision.
This is our shared vision, when we look at various ways to improve and expand the program. And this is the vision that brought us to where we are today, with a program that provides hands-on experience with some of the most widely used systems and technologies in modern business, cutting-edge curriculum delivered by world-class faculty, and practical application to solve real problems and provide real value.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Classes are Rolling
It's been a while since the last update, since preparing for the new cohort of MIS students and getting ready for classes has put blogging on a bit of a back burner. Well, classes are rolling now, and we have nearly 40 new graduate students this fall! The mix is roughly split between full-time MIS and part-time (Professional MIS and Certificate) students. We have so many great new students this semester that we are even experiencing a few growing pains... this is a wonderful challenge to have.
Most of our new students are taking Seminar in Systems Development and Data Management Systems in their first semester. Seminar in Systems Development explores modern challenges and opportunites in system analysis, design, and project management, and is taught by Dr. Viswanath Venkatesh. Data Management Systems takes a hands-on approach to learning how data is managed in modern organizations and how data can be turned into information for better and faster business decision making, and is taught by Dr. Paul Cronan.
Most of our new students are taking Seminar in Systems Development and Data Management Systems in their first semester. Seminar in Systems Development explores modern challenges and opportunites in system analysis, design, and project management, and is taught by Dr. Viswanath Venkatesh. Data Management Systems takes a hands-on approach to learning how data is managed in modern organizations and how data can be turned into information for better and faster business decision making, and is taught by Dr. Paul Cronan.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Busy Summer!
It's been a busy summer so far! The UA team took 3rd place in the 3rd International ERPsim Competition. From a field that originally consisted of 41 teams, that's not too shabby... Go Hogs!
We wrapped up our summer ERP Fundamentals class with a fun and engaging ERPsim competition - our winning team was comprised of four students in the Professional MIS and ERP Certificate programs.
Applications for the Professional MIS and BI Certificate programs are still coming in, and we're almost down to the wire for late applications. We are still receiving some applications for the full-time MIS program as well, but have been out of graduate assistantships for months - if any are turned back, we have a fairly long waiting list of very qualified applicants at this point. Program orientation is just 4 weeks away!
We wrapped up our summer ERP Fundamentals class with a fun and engaging ERPsim competition - our winning team was comprised of four students in the Professional MIS and ERP Certificate programs.
Applications for the Professional MIS and BI Certificate programs are still coming in, and we're almost down to the wire for late applications. We are still receiving some applications for the full-time MIS program as well, but have been out of graduate assistantships for months - if any are turned back, we have a fairly long waiting list of very qualified applicants at this point. Program orientation is just 4 weeks away!
Monday, June 8, 2009
3rd International ERPsim Competition
I am pleased to report that the University of Arkansas team was ranked #1 (out of 41 teams from 20 universities worldwide) in the qualifying round for the 3rd International ERPsim Competition. The UA team is composed of 3 Professional MIS students who recently completed our ERP Certificate curriculum as part of their graduate degree program. The final competition will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 9:00 AM Central, and will be covered live via twitter. For more info go to http://erpsim.hec.ca/competition.
ERP Certificate - Possible Second Summer Session!
The past month or so has been jam packed as we started the ERP Fundamentals class (the first course in the ERP Certificate program). The first class is going very well and I am pleased to report that we have received enough additional interest that we are considering offering another ERP Fundamentals class beginning in July!
If you are interested in starting the ERP Certificate program this summer, there is still time to apply - if we receive enough applications, we will be able to repeat the first class so that you can continue in the fall and spring with ERP courses that will build on what you learn this summer.
You can apply online here. Please submit your application ASAP to be considered for the summer class, and help us spread the word to others who may be interested.
If you are interested in starting the ERP Certificate program this summer, there is still time to apply - if we receive enough applications, we will be able to repeat the first class so that you can continue in the fall and spring with ERP courses that will build on what you learn this summer.
You can apply online here. Please submit your application ASAP to be considered for the summer class, and help us spread the word to others who may be interested.
Friday, April 17, 2009
New Certificate Programs
Pursuing a graduate degree is no small undertaking. Achieving the level of performance required to be successful in a Master’s degree program requires a significant commitment of time and energy, whether you are pursuing your degree full-time or working full-time and considering a part-time graduate program. In my opinion, based on my own experiences and numerous observations from other graduates of our programs, that commitment is well worth the investment. For those who want to “test the waters” of graduate school, and for those who are interested in focusing their studies on Enterprise Resource Planning or Business Intelligence, we are now offering two new certificate programs.
The ERP Certificate program, sponsored by SAP America and the SAP University Alliance, is a 9 credit-hour program focused on the utilization, configuration, implementation, and customization of ERP systems in modern organizations. SAP, the ERP solution used by most Fortune 500 companies, provides the platform to learn about this exciting and lucrative field.
The BI Certificate program, sponsored by The SAS Institute, is a 12 credit-hour program that explores the management and effective use of the extensive amount of data being collected by modern information systems. Tools from SAS, Teradata, SPSS, Microsoft, and SAP will be used to apply data management, decision support, and data mining concepts and techniques.
Though courses in both programs will be rigorous, by taking only one course per semester the pace should be reasonable for the typical busy lifestyle of most professionals. Credit from these programs can be applied towards your Master of Information Systems degree, should you choose to continue your academic pursuits after completing one of these programs. The application process is very simple (an online application is available through the link above), and admission to a certificate program does not require a GMAT or GRE score.
The ERP Certificate program begins in May, and applications will be accepted through May 1. The BI Certificate program begins in August, and applications will be accepted through July 1. Feel free to contact me with questions about any of our graduate programs.
The ERP Certificate program, sponsored by SAP America and the SAP University Alliance, is a 9 credit-hour program focused on the utilization, configuration, implementation, and customization of ERP systems in modern organizations. SAP, the ERP solution used by most Fortune 500 companies, provides the platform to learn about this exciting and lucrative field.
The BI Certificate program, sponsored by The SAS Institute, is a 12 credit-hour program that explores the management and effective use of the extensive amount of data being collected by modern information systems. Tools from SAS, Teradata, SPSS, Microsoft, and SAP will be used to apply data management, decision support, and data mining concepts and techniques.
Though courses in both programs will be rigorous, by taking only one course per semester the pace should be reasonable for the typical busy lifestyle of most professionals. Credit from these programs can be applied towards your Master of Information Systems degree, should you choose to continue your academic pursuits after completing one of these programs. The application process is very simple (an online application is available through the link above), and admission to a certificate program does not require a GMAT or GRE score.
The ERP Certificate program begins in May, and applications will be accepted through May 1. The BI Certificate program begins in August, and applications will be accepted through July 1. Feel free to contact me with questions about any of our graduate programs.
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