BBA Management of Information Systems

Program Features

Information and technology have become important resources in today's business environment. Companies must be able to integrate technology into the business planning process through strategic planning to create new opportunities. Individuals in the Management of Information Technology program will be prepared to work within an organization to apply the latest technologies to increase company effectiveness, create new opportunities, and gain competitive advantages in their markets. This program emphasizes project management skills, which are critical for meeting the business demands of completing technology projects on time and within budget. Courses are delivered in a combination of on-campus and online methods. Major courses cover five primary areas of study:

  • Project Management
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Database Management
  • Security
  • Electronic Commerce

Career Benefits

The Management of Information Technology degree is based on the understanding that to manage information technology, students must understand basic business concepts. Building on a foundation of business knowledge, students focus on managing quickly-changing technology resources, while gaining the communication, interpersonal, and leadership competencies needed to be an effective information technology manager in an organization. Coupled with the right work experience, graduates from this program may qualify for the following career opportunities:

  • Information Technology Manager or Supervisor
  • Data Center Manager
  • Help Desk Manager
  • Director of Information Technology
  • Chief Information Officer (CIO)
  • Chief Technical Officer (CTO)

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this degree, the graduate will be able to:

  • Apply problem solving skills, core information technology concepts, best practices, and standards to information technologies
  • Identify and evaluate organizational requirements and current and emerging technologies
  • Select, design, integrate, and administer information technology-based solutions into the organizational environment
  • Describe the impact of information technology solutions in a global, societal, and ethical context
  • Demonstrate the processes that support the delivery and management of information systems within a specific application environment

Certifications

Cleary University’s BBA in Management of Information Technology prepares students for the Certified Computing Professional (CCP) certification exam, which is administered by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP). To be certified, candidates must pass one core and two specialty exams and either have a bachelor’s degree and two years of full-time professional work experience in the IT field, or four years of experience without a bachelor’s degree.

Required Courses

  • BCS 401 - Managing Information Technology Projects

    This course prepares students for the challenge of managing all aspects of a variety of project types. Students learn to successfully initiate, plan, manage, control, and report on information technology projects. Emphasis is on the importance of proper planning, documentation, scope, and change control, along with quality and risk management. Other topics include team selection, motivation, conflict resolution, and leadership.

  • BCS 406 - E-commerce Technology

    E-commerce is a vital part of any business in the information age. This course builds a foundation for understanding this important topic. By exploring the fundamental concepts underlying the entire topic of e-commerce, students will be ready to undertake the challenges of this new frontier. Topics include revenue models, marketing strategies, business environment issues, technology considerations, and how to develop an implementation plan.

  • CIS 455 - Advanced Enterprise Systems

    This course focuses on the integration of information technology into systems applications. Topics for discussion include advanced concepts in information technology and systems integration issues; the specific information technology (both hardware and software) that can serve as the foundation for designing systems within an organization; and the role of IT in achieving system performance goals. Students will utilize enterprise project management applications to plan, document, configure, and test a “real-world” scenario.

  • ORN 099 - Undergraduation Orientation

    This online course includes an on-campus student component. ORN 099 prepares the student to be successful in Cleary University's undergraduate academic program. Students learn how to use Cleary’s course management software, receive an introduction to Cleary's electronic research tools and library services, and review the writing process. Academic policies are reviewed and student skills are measured. Time management resources, along with learning and study aids, are identified. Successful completion of this course is required.

  • BAC 300 - Business Research and Communication

    This course introduces the transfer student to academic resources: distance technology; project-based learning; working in teams; academic policies, processes and expectations; and the accelerated learning environment. Cleary’s online environment is introduced and explained. Students learn how to use electronic resources to conduct research, analyze findings, and report results in written and oral form. The research and writing processes are introduced and used to create academic papers and business reports. Plagiarism and academic ethics are discussed and students learn how to properly acknowledge research sources using APA format. Students learn to make effective formal presentations for local and remote audiences.

  • LAW 320 - Business Ethics and Legal Issues

    This course provides an understanding of the body of legal principles that govern the structure and conduct of business organizations. This survey course covers such topics as the legal environment of business, regulatory environments affecting business, business-to-business relationships, and business ethics and social responsibility.

  • QTY 432 - Quality Management

    This course will explore the interaction of quality theory and classic management theory. Students will learn how organizations use quality practices and policies in normal operations. Participants will familiarize themselves with the history and philosophy of quality and its practical application in business, industry, education, health care, and government. Different approaches to performance improvement, including models and standards, will be explored. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply these theories to improve organizational performance. The content of this course is drawn largely from materials for individuals preparing to take the ASQ Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Certification Examination.

  • MGT 400 - Management Skills Seminar

    This course provides students with the tools to successfully inspire, empower, and develop people. Students will learn advanced skills in planning, organizing, leading, and controlling individuals and teams. Skill development topics such as meeting facilitation, communication, conflict management, and stress and time management will be studied. Current trends will be featured.

  • ENT 405 - Creativity and Innovation

    Creativity, innovation, and risk taking are essential to the success of the entrepreneur. This class will aid students in unlocking their inner potential and focus on “thinking outside the box”. Students will also learn strategies for dealing with rejection and negativity.

  • CAS 111 - Microsoft PowerPoint

    This course is designed for students who have not used PowerPoint and want to know the basics to be able to develop class or business presentations. Topics include planning a presentation, using different presentation templates, creating slides, and technical aspects of making a presentation.

    NOTE: For the ABA degrees, the requirement is CAS 107 and CAS 111 or CIS 150. See the course catalog or your advisor for more details.

  • CAS 107 - Microsoft Excel

    This course is designed for the student who has not used Excel. Topics include basic spreadsheet applications, worksheet creation, formulas, formatting, printing, and charting.

    NOTE: For the ABA degrees, the requirement is CAS 107 and CAS 111 or CIS 150. See the course catalog or your advisor for more details.

  • CIS 124 - Fundamentals of Systems Analysis

    This course covers the basic concepts of an information system and systems analysis techniques necessary to develop requirements for a business information system. Students will concentrate on systems analysis using current methodologies, technologies, and available tools of analysis, as well as an examination of the effect on systems analysis by business drivers such as globalization, security, privacy, ethics, and collaboration. The course will focus on the analysis phase including requirements definition, modeling, feasibility, project planning and management, and documentation.

  • CIS 122 - Fundamentals of Project Management

    This course examines current practices in project management as applied to information projects. Topics include an overview of a project’s evolution, its various processes and principles, and the tools and techniques required during the phases of an information system project’s life cycle.

  • BCS 460 - Data and Information Management

    The course surveys recent advances in Data Base Management Systems (DBMS). Topics include extensibility and extensions of database systems, XML databases, spatial databases, temporal databases, semantics-enabled data management, anddistributed and parallel databases. Students will get hands-on research and development experience from projects that are requirements for this course.

  • CIS 410 - Database Design and Implementation

    In this first course students are introduced to databases and database management systems (DBMS). The differing data models, business rules and the differing degrees of data abstractions are also explored. Additional topics include the relational database model, Entity Relationship Model (ERM), business intelligence, data warehouses, database administration, and normalization of database tables.

  • ECO 250 - Macroeconomics

    National and international economic policies have powerful and direct effects on business operations. Business fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, monetary and fiscal policies, and international trade are discussed in the course.

  • CIS 115 - Technology Infrastructure II

    This course covers the networking concepts and terminology used in today’s modern office environment. Students will apply what they learn to install and configure an actual business network along with network maintenance and administration.

  • CIS 100 - Foundations of Information Systems

    This course is an introduction to fundamental business information systems from a business perspective. It includes computer hardware and software, use of business productivity tools and the Internet, and introduction to fundamental and functional business information systems.

  • PJT 495-9 - Senior Project I-V

    Students complete the required directed study BBA Senior Project course sequence at the end of their undergraduate degree program. Each two-credit course serves as a prerequisite for the successive course (that is, PJT 495 is a prerequisite for PJT 496, and PJT 496 is a prerequisite course for PJT 497, etc.) During this thirty-week, five-course sequence, students select project topics and complete their projects guided individually by senior faculty mentors. Preference is given to selecting topics that solve problems or make contributions for the students’ employers by applying business concepts students learned in their majors. Project types may include: primary research, a business or new product plan, marketing audit, implementation plan, a process or product improvement, or an analysis of a significant workplace problem. Successful completion of PJT 495-499 requires a grade of C or better in each class.

  • NAT 340 - Environmental Science for Managers

    Ecosystems, ecological concepts, and environmental economics will be explored. Students receive a sound theoretical framework of environmental principles which can be applied to current issues. Participants will practice performing environmental audits of selected business operations and develop strategies that can eliminate or mitigate harmful practices.

  • MTH 344 - Quantitative Business Analysis

    This course provides a comprehensive coverage of the critical thinking skills used in statistical analysis. Areas of study include probability, random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence interval, correlation, and regression.

  • MTH 180 - Introduction to Business Statistics

    The ability of students to enhance their capacity to gather and analyze meaningful data using a variety of statistical techniques, is essential to business success. Topics include graphical and numerical descriptive methods for describing data, such as frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, and dispersion.

  • MKT 415 - Interactive Marketing

    This course explores marketing principles combined with Web-based strategies in an effort to reach customers and build individual relationships. Tools such as electronic advertising, direct e-mail, and electronic commerce are studied. Value analysis will be used to determine the individual customer’s contribution to profit, Web metrics, and analysis of buyer behavior.

  • MGT 420 - International Business

    This course stresses the synergy/connection between environment and culture, and the strategy and functions of business management. It further provides an overview of the functions of business in an international context. Basic economic principles are studied in international markets including micro- and macroeconomics, fiscal and monetary policies, and banking. Factors affecting foreign trade and multinational business are explored, especially the various social, political, technical, and economic complexities of doing business in foreign countries.

  • FIN 400 - Financial Management

    Selected topics in both the financial and managerial aspects of financial management for business organizations are studied with the intention of providing a survey of important concepts, issues, tools, and vocabulary that administrators need to effectively manage a business organization. Students will learn how managers and investors use financial statements in order to meet their financial objectives. The goals of the financial manager, the trade-off between risk and return, and the time value of money will be explained. The application of these basic concepts to the valuation of bonds and stocks, capital budgeting problems, and the process for determining capital structure will also be emphasized.

  • FIN 200 - Introduction to Business Finance

    Students will understand financial terms, financial statements, financial ratios, and how they affect the operations of a business corporation. This course is meant to be an introduction to finance and accounting for all students who may have budget, profit and loss responsibilities, and intend to contribute to the financial success of their companies. This is a basic finance course for students aspiring to be entrepreneurs and non-financial professionals.

  • ENG 160 - Business Composition

    Students will acquire writing skills necessary to prepare for advanced business courses. Students start at a fundamental level, beginning with an introduction to writing, moving on to writing strategies, and concluding with methods of development. This course presents writing as a means of exploring, developing, confirming, and communicating ideas. Students will apply the basic principles of language structure and become more familiar with APA documentation.

  • ECO 320 - Economics of Business

    This course provides a managerial viewpoint of macro- and microeconomic concepts that shape business environments. Macroeconomic topics include national accounts and income determination; monetary and fiscal policy; Federal Reserve System; and employment, inflation, and growth. Microeconomic topics include market structure, price theory, and supply and demand. The emphasis in this course is the business manager’s viewpoint, building an understanding of the relationship of economic theory to management practice and decision making.

  • CIS 400 - Systems Analysis and Design

    This course provides broad coverage of the Systems Development Life Cycle used to build information systems. Students develop an understanding of how information technology supports business requirements and how to interact with users, management, and other professionals. A variety of tools will be explored that assists the analyst in designing systems.

  • CIS 260 - Information Technology and Security Strategy for Business

    This course will cover the strategic management and deployment of information systems and technologies to improve business competitiveness. It will examine the role of information technology and security in enabling companies to effectively manage the business environment brought about by the Internet. Analysis of new business opportunities in electronic commerce brought about by information technology and security, including the organizational redesign that these technologies require, will be covered.

  • BCS 462 - Business Process Management

    This course studies the methods and techniques required to analyze, design, implement, automate, and evaluate business processes. Structured along the phases of the Business Process Management (BPM) life cycle, students learn to analyze organizational performance from a process perspective, redesign processes using value-focused techniques, design workflows and implement them in BPM systems, simulate new process designs, and create process analytics applications using dashboards.

  • BCS 450 - Principles of Information Security

    This course will cover the managerial and technical aspects of information security to prepare future business decision makers, and will address knowledge areas of the Security+ Certification. Topics will include: investigation, analysis, logical design, physical design, implementation, and maintenance.

  • ACC 402 - Managerial Accounting

    This course explores basic managerial accounting concepts used to support business decisions. Topics include basic cost concepts, product costing methods, activity-based costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, standard costing, budget preparation, and relevant cost analysis.

  • ACC 401 - Financial Accounting

    This course introduces fundamental concepts in financial accounting, which are used to create financial statements for external users. The focus is on the accounting cycle and financial statement preparation (primarily the income statement and balance sheet).

  • ACC 245 - Principles of Accounting I

    This introductory course examines the basic principles of accounting. Students work through the entire accounting cycle by analyzing and posting business transactions, recording adjusting journal entries, and preparing basic financial statements. Accounting systems and controls are also covered.