Information Technology with a major in Software Management
Master of Science
Designed for Those Changing Careers or Aspiring to Move Up
University of Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Computer and Information Systems with a major in software management (MS CIS) is an opportunity for you to advance your career and shine as an information technology leader. This program is flexible and designed for professionals looking to advance their career. Detroit Mercy's MS CIS degree conveys comprehensive professional knowledge and best practices with regard to Information Technology (IT) work and principles of leadership. Upon graduation, you will be able to create and oversee productive and continuously improving management control infrastructures for large, complex and diverse businesses.
Graduates will be able to interact and function effectively in a multi-national, multi-tiered project environment. In addition, students will be able to ensure that their organizations will be able to compete successfully in today's global environment. The program's content is derived the Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It offers the most up-to-date, industry based, knowledge of best practices in IT process development, leadership and program management.
A background in computer programming is not a requirement; the program teaches students what they need to know. This program is ideal for individuals with technical and non-technical backgrounds. You will dive deep into artificial intelligence, theoretical computer science, databases, programming languages, software engineering, systems and networks.
Specific knowledge areas include:
- IT portfolio and project management
- System requirements elicitation and specification
- Comprehensive program construction concepts
- Assurance and business alignment processes and information assurance
- Audit and control
Career Pathways
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Computer & Information Systems prepares you for high-paying jobs that typically have low unemployment rates. According to U.S. News & World Report, the following technology jobs are ranked in the top ten:
- Software Developer
- Data Scientist
- IT Manager
- Information Security Analyst
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Computer Network Architect
- Database Administrator
- Web Developer
- Computer Systems Administrator
- Computer Support Specialist
Greg Laidlaw is department chair and lecturer in the Cybersecurity & Information Systems department. He brings a broad range of experience with 25 years of IT consulting in small enterprise and local government. Starting off in programming and database design, he has since migrated to network infrastructure design, system security and data integration.
His doctoral dissertation involved adapting agile methodologies to design and expediting a data integration project for the Lapeer County Sheriff's Department. He is involved with ISSACA InfraGard and ISC(2) and serves as a Macomb County Reserve Deputy. Current research projects include secure systems, human factors in security and design usability. He joined the University in September 2011. He began serving as department chair in fall 2018.
2021-22
A student must complete 30 credit hours, which are comprised of five core courses and five electives.
Core (for all students)
| CIS 5010 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 cr. |
| CIS 5100 | Object Orient Software Development | 3 cr. |
| CIS 5200 | Specification | 3 cr. |
| CIS 5300 | Software Assurance | 3 cr. |
| CIS 5400 | Software Management | 3 cr. |
Electives (Choose 5 from the list below)
| Any CIS graduate-level course not listed above | 3 cr. | |
| Any CYBE graduate-level course (with approval from the department chair) | 3 cr. | |
| DATA 5001 | Science and Data | 3 cr. |
| DATA 5150 | Quantitative Foundations of Economic Analysis | 3 cr. |
| DATA 5130 | Introduction to Data Mining | 3 cr. |
| MBA 5200 | Modeling, Analytics, and Operations Decisions | 3 cr. |
| MBA 5260 | Systems Technology | 3 cr. |
| MBA 5335 | Business Intelligence | 3 cr. |
Total: 30 credit hours
Admissions Criteria
The Master of Science in Computer & Information Systems with a major in Software Management program is open to students of high academic promise who have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Of primary importance are the nature and quality of the applicant's prior academic record and work experience. No prior work in software management is necessary since the curriculum encapsulates the entire body of knowledge.
Admission Materials
Apply using Detroit Mercy's online portal at udmercy.edu/apply. That will create your account to which you can upload all of your application materials. If you need to mail your documents, please send them to:
If you have questions about the application process, please contact Jennifer Goethals, Graduate Admissions, goethajm@udmercy.edu.
Applicants should submit the following materials:
- Official transcripts for all previous academic work; and
- Any other information that the applicant feels is important to the admission decision.
STEM/OPT Program - International Students
Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Computer & Information Systems is a qualified STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security