MS in Computer Information Systems, Database Management & Business Intelligence Concentration

2 Years Blended Bachelors Program

Boston University

Program Overview

The MS in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Database Management & Business Intelligence at Boston University's Metropolitan College prepares students to design, manage, and analyse enterprise databases to support effective business decisions. This 32-unit, STEM-designated program combines database development, data warehousing, data mining, database security, and business intelligence technologies, with practical experience using SQL, Oracle, Python, and other database tools.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students establish a technical foundation through courses such as Information Structures with Java or Python, Business Data Communication and Networks, Database Design and Implementation for Business, and Information Systems Analysis and Design. They develop programming, database design, networking, and systems development skills.

Year 2 (if studying part-time)

Students specialise through Database Security, Designing and Implementing a Data Warehouse, Data Mining, and Advanced Database Management. These courses cover database protection, data warehousing, big data technologies, SQL, Spark, MongoDB, and analytical methods for discovering patterns in business data.

Note: The program can be completed in 8–16 months, depending on study load. The university does not prescribe a fixed year-wise course sequence.

Focus Areas

Database management, business intelligence, data mining, data warehousing, database security, enterprise data management, big data analytics, SQL, Python programming, distributed databases, information systems design.

Learning Outcomes

Design and implement databases, manage enterprise data systems, apply data-mining techniques, develop data warehouses, optimise database performance, implement database security measures, analyse business information, use SQL and database technologies, contribute to business intelligence systems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

STEM Designation: The program is STEM-designated, making eligible international graduates potentially eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Practical Training: Includes hands-on database projects using Oracle, SQL Server, Spark, MongoDB, and data-mining tools.
Professional Accreditation: No separate program-specific professional accreditation is stated.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

U.S. News & World Report: BU Metropolitan College's online master's programs in Computer Information Technology are ranked #12 nationally.
Industry Connections: Graduates have opportunities across technology, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and education.
Career Support: Boston University provides career counselling, professional development resources, and access to its alumni network.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Boston University's MS in Computer Information Systems emphasizes practical technical training through database development, programming assignments, data-mining exercises, and semester-long projects. Students gain hands-on experience with industry-relevant technologies, including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, R, Spark, and MongoDB. The curriculum also introduces modern data warehousing and distributed database architectures, helping students develop the practical skills needed to manage enterprise information systems.

Students develop practical expertise through the following opportunities:

Database Development: MET CS 669 provides hands-on experience with Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server, SQL programming, database design, and implementation through a term project.
Database Security: MET CS 674 uses Oracle scenarios and practical examples to explore database auditing, access controls, password policies, privileges, security roles, and SQL injection.
Data Warehousing: MET CS 689 introduces OLAP, Hadoop/Spark, and Vertica, allowing students to explore modern data warehouse architectures and decision-support systems.
Data Mining: MET CS 699 uses R for practical data-mining assignments and a semester-long project involving data preparation, classification, regression, clustering, and association rule mining.
Advanced Database Technologies: MET CS 779 provides hands-on experience with SQL, Spark, and MongoDB, alongside a term project exploring an advanced database technology.
Programming Languages: Students develop programming expertise through Java or Python, applying object-oriented programming and software engineering principles to information systems.
Information Systems Projects: MET CS 682 introduces requirements analysis, system architecture, UML modelling, implementation, project control, and system-level testing.
Research Opportunities: Students may explore research opportunities through BU's Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering, which supports computing-related research and innovation.
Master's Thesis: Eligible students with a minimum 3.7 GPA who have completed at least four courses may pursue an additional eight-unit master's thesis, subject to departmental requirements and advisor availability.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MS in Computer Information Systems – Database Management & Business Intelligence can pursue careers across technology, financial services, consulting, healthcare, manufacturing, and other data-driven industries. The program prepares students to manage enterprise databases, develop business intelligence solutions, analyse complex datasets, and support strategic organizational decisions.

Potential career paths include Database Administrator, Data Engineer, Business Intelligence Developer, Data Architect, Data Analyst, and Data Warehouse Manager.

Career Development and Employment Opportunities:

MET Career Development Office: Provides individual career counselling, professional guidance, job-search assistance, and career development resources for both online and on-campus students.
Handshake: BU's career management platform provides access to job listings, internship opportunities, employer information, career events, and networking resources.
Resume and Interview Preparation: Online students can access resume and cover letter reviews, along with interview practice and coaching through BU's online student support resources.
Professional Networking: Students benefit from connections with faculty, industry professionals, and BU's wider alumni community.
Research Opportunities: BU's Center for Reliable Information Systems and Cyber Security (RISCS) offers opportunities to collaborate on research involving system reliability and information security.
Employer Connections: Recent graduates from the Database Management & Business Intelligence concentration have found career opportunities with organizations including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Akamai Technologies, Cloudflare, GEICO, Intuit, MassMutual, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Employment Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures cited by BU, employment of database administrators and architects is projected to grow 9% between 2023 and 2033.
Salary Potential: BU cites a median annual wage of $101,510 for database administrators, based on BLS occupational data. This is an occupational salary benchmark, not the average salary of BU graduates.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can pursue opportunities in database administration, data engineering, business intelligence development, data architecture, data analytics, and enterprise information systems management.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The program's STEM designation provides an additional advantage for eligible international graduates seeking professional experience in the United States through the STEM OPT extension. The Database Management & Business Intelligence concentration does not have a separate professional accreditation; students benefit from the broader academic reputation of Boston University.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the master's degree, graduates interested in advanced research or academic careers can pursue doctoral studies in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or related computing disciplines. They may also strengthen their professional expertise through specialized certifications in databa