Bachelor of Science in Business - Information Systems & Technology Management Concentration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

George Washington University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) with a concentration in Information Systems & Technology Management at the George Washington University combines broad business education with technical and managerial skills for designing, developing and managing information systems. It suits students who want to connect technology with business decision-making, with coursework covering programming, business systems development, databases and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud applications, cybersecurity, web analytics and mobile applications.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students begin by developing a foundation in business, quantitative reasoning and professional development. Courses such as BADM 1001 – Business Leader Foundations I, BADM 1002 – Business Leader Foundations II and BADM 1004 – The Age of Globalization introduce business concepts, leadership development and the global business environment, alongside mathematics, economics and general education requirements.

Year 2:
Students build their core business knowledge through subjects such as ACCY 2001 – Introduction to Financial Accounting, BADM 2301 – Management Information Systems Technology and BADM 3103 – Human Capital in Organizations. By the second semester of sophomore year, students must have selected their GWSB concentration, allowing the Information Systems & Technology Management pathway to become a more prominent part of their studies.

Year 3:
Students progress into more specialized technology and management learning, including ISTM 3119 – Introduction to Programming, ISTM 4120 – Business Systems Development and ISTM 4121 – Database Principles and Applications. These courses develop practical capabilities in programming, systems development and database design while the wider business curriculum continues through areas such as finance, marketing, operations and international business.

Year 4:
The final stage allows students to deepen their technology specialization through two additional ISTM courses, with options including ISTM 4214 – Foundations of Artificial Intelligence, ISTM 4213 – Foundations of Cloud Applications, ISTM 4206 – Foundations of Information Systems Security and Ethics, ISTM 4209 – Foundations of Web Analytics, ISTM 4215 – Human-Computer Interaction and ISTM 4216 – Mobile Application Development. Students also complete advanced business courses such as BADM 4801 – Strategy Formulation and Implementation, while BADM 4001 – Business Leader Launch connects their academic learning with a substantial beyond-the-classroom experience.

Focus areas

Programming, business systems development, database management, information systems, information technology management, cloud applications, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, web analytics, mobile applications, human-computer interaction, emerging technologies and technology entrepreneurship.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to apply information-systems knowledge to business requirements, use programming and database-management concepts, analyze and solve business problems through technology, communicate technical knowledge effectively, consider the ethical and societal impact of technology, think critically and work effectively as both team members and leaders.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The degree is delivered through the GW School of Business, which received AACSB re-accreditation in 2024. AACSB accreditation provides an external quality framework for the School's business and accounting education.

Reputation (employability rankings)

GW Business reports an average undergraduate base salary of $80,654 and an average undergraduate signing bonus of $8,052 for its 2024–2026 graduate career-outcomes dataset. The School also reports that its graduates have secured positions with employers including Deloitte, EY and American Airlines, although these figures cover GW Business undergraduate outcomes rather than this specific concentration alone.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program combines technical coursework with applied business experiences, allowing students to move beyond theory into programming, systems development, database work and emerging technologies. GW Business also provides dedicated technology facilities, interactive simulations, team-based projects and a structured Business Leader Development program through which students can complete internships, research or other substantial impact experiences.

Students can build practical experience through:

Programming and systems development: ISTM 3119 – Introduction to Programming, ISTM 4120 – Business Systems Development and ISTM 4121 – Database Principles and Applications provide direct exposure to programming, information-system development and database design.
Technology specializations: Students can choose courses in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Applications, Information Systems Security and Ethics, Web Analytics, Human-Computer Interaction, Mobile Application Development, Internet of Things Management and Emerging Technologies.
Team-based projects: The Business Leader Development program includes team projects involving industry exploration, case analysis and persuasive presentations based on real-world business challenges.
Impact Experience: BADM 4001 – Business Leader Launch requires a 70+ hour beyond-the-classroom experience, which can be an internship, undergraduate research project, community-engaged scholarship, GWSB student-organization leadership role or BLD Program mentorship.
Computer laboratories: GW Business provides computer labs for students in Duquès Hall 350 and 351 when classes are not being held.
Technology and software: GW IT provides students with free software including the Microsoft Office Suite, Gartner Research Services and WebEx, supporting technology-enabled coursework and research.
Capital Markets Room: GWSB students can access Bloomberg terminals in the Capital Markets Room in Duquès Hall during building hours.
Technology-enabled classrooms: GW Business facilities include classrooms and team rooms equipped with projectors/screens, LCD displays, lecture capture through Echo360 and Zoom, and teleconferencing through Webex and Zoom.
Interactive simulations: GW Business states that many courses incorporate interactive simulations and scenario-based learning, while its multimedia studio produces video, podcast, animation and simulation content.
Career and employer exposure: The Fowler Career Center provides career coaching, employer partnerships, site visits, networking and programs designed to connect students with internships and employment opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Information Systems & Technology Management concentration can enter technology-focused business roles such as systems analyst, programmer analyst, information systems consultant or technology-management professional, with GW specifically noting pathways that can progress toward senior information-systems leadership, consulting or entrepreneurship. The curriculum's combination of programming, databases, systems development, business strategy and emerging technologies also provides a foundation for roles connecting technology with organizational needs.

Typical job roles include: Systems Analyst, Programmer Analyst, Information Systems Consultant, Database Developer

Career development and progression opportunities include:

Career coaching: The F. David Fowler Career Center provides one-on-one coaching covering career exploration, résumé development, elevator pitches, interview preparation and networking.
Internships and employment resources: Students can use Handshake and Fowler Finds to search for internships, jobs and career events, while GW Career Connect provides access to alumni willing to discuss career development.
Practical career experience: BADM 4001 provides a structured 70+ hour impact experience through options including an internship, undergraduate research, community-engaged scholarship or student leadership.
Employment and salary figures: GW Business reports an average undergraduate base salary of $80,654 and average undergraduate signing bonus of $8,052 for graduates in its 2024–2026 career-outcomes dataset. These figures represent GW Business undergraduate outcomes overall rather than this specific concentration.
Employer connections: The Fowler Career Center maintains employer partnerships and recruiting activities, with current GW Business recruiting resources including career fairs, on-campus interviewing and employer opportunities.
Specific industry partnership: The World Bank Group is a platinum sponsor of the Fowler Career Center and has partnered with GW School of Business to strengthen its talent pipeline and provide opportunities for networking, research exchange and exposure to global development challenges.
Industry mentorship: Careers360 connects students with industry mentors at organizations such as IBM, Deloitte, EY, Bain and McKinsey, depending on the program, and includes professional development and real-world project opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: GW School of Business received AACSB re-accreditation in 2024, providing an externally recognized quality framework for its business education.
Graduate network: GW Business reports that its career-outcomes dashboard tracks employment industries, job functions, locations and the graduate schools to which alumni continue their studies.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into graduate study after completing the BSB. GW Business offers a 4+1 pathway, allowing eligible students to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years, with up to nine credits applicable toward the master's degree and a 10% tuition reduction through the Grad2Grad program; relevant postgraduate options at GW include the MS in Information Systems Technology, MS in Artificial Intelligence for Business, MBA and other specialized master's programs.