Management Information Systems (MIS), B.S.B.AD.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

West Virginia University

Program Overview

West Virginia University’s Management Information Systems (MIS), B.S.B.A. combines business knowledge with technology, preparing students to analyze organizational problems and design, build, and maintain technology-based solutions. The program is well suited to students interested in technology, problem-solving and business, with coursework covering information systems, databases, programming, networking, cybersecurity, systems analysis and systems development.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish a foundation in business and quantitative skills through courses such as BCOR 199 Introduction to Business, BCOR 191 First-Year Seminar, ACCT 201 Principles of Accounting 1, ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics and MATH 124 Algebra with Applications. These courses introduce students to how organizations operate while developing the communication, analytical and numerical skills needed for later MIS coursework.

Year 2: Students begin connecting business functions with information technology through courses including BCOR 299 Business Communication, BCOR 320 Legal Environment of Business, BCOR 330 Information Systems and Technology, BCOR 350 Principles of Marketing and BCOR 370 Principles of Management. The MIS curriculum then progresses into MIST 320 Managing Information Technology, where students examine how information systems affect the competitive position of organizations.

Year 3: The program becomes increasingly technical, with students developing database and application-development skills through MIST 351 Database Management Systems, MIST 352 Business Application Programming and MIST 353 Advanced Information Technology. Students can also develop knowledge of MIST 355 Data Communications and MIST 356 Network Security, covering corporate networks, information security, security planning and network-security technologies.

Year 4: In the final stage, students apply their technical knowledge to the complete systems-development process through MIST 450 Systems Analysis and MIST 452 Systems Design and Development, covering feasibility studies, requirements, user-interface design, data design, testing and implementation. Students can also pursue advanced areas such as MIST 400 Advanced Information Security, MIST 460 Requirements Analysis and Design of Machine Learning and AI Based Systems and MIST 462 Development and Deployment of Machine Learning and AI Based Systems, depending on their course choices.

Focus areas:

Management information systems, information technology management, database management, business application programming, systems analysis and design, data communications, network security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning and technology management.

Learning outcomes:

Students develop critical thinking, teamwork, global awareness, ethical decision-making and functional business knowledge, while the MIS curriculum specifically develops the ability to analyze business problems, work with information systems and apply technology to organizational needs.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The Management Information Systems B.S.B.A. is offered through WVU’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics, which is AACSB accredited. The MIS program is also a member of the Association for Information Systems (AIS) and states that it adheres to AIS high-quality standards.

Reputation (employability rankings):

WVU reports that 98% of MIS students successfully found a job, started a business, joined the military or continued their education after graduation. The university also identifies employers of MIS graduates including IBM, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

WVU's MIS program places a strong emphasis on learning by doing, with a technical curriculum that includes substantial data-driven project work, systems analysis and systems-development activities. Students can gain professional experience through internships, real-world projects with organizations, cybersecurity projects and the department's DataDrivenWV initiative, while Reynolds Hall provides specialized technology and learning facilities.

Students can develop practical skills through:

DataDrivenWV: This Department of Management Information Systems and Supply Chain outreach center connects WVU undergraduate and graduate students with partners to produce data-driven solutions to real-world problems. Students work under faculty and staff guidance on projects involving data and technical solutions.
Systems analysis projects: MIST 450 Systems Analysis involves feasibility studies, cost-benefit analysis, organizational analysis, information-needs assessment and project planning, with teamwork and communication emphasized.
Systems design and development: MIST 452 Systems Design and Development covers user-interface design, data and process design, system specifications, software development tools, documentation, testing, conversion and maintenance.
Database development: MIST 351 Database Management Systems introduces database theory, design, implementation, management and models, including the development of database applications for management systems.
Programming: MIST 352 Business Application Programming develops programming concepts for creating end-user business applications in an object-oriented, event-driven environment.
Cybersecurity Lab: The Dr. Randy and Karen Evans Cybersecurity Lab provides hands-on learning through real-world cybersecurity projects, research and service projects, with advanced cybersecurity software and tools.
Cyber-resilience projects: WVU's Cyber-resilience initiative places students on real-world experiential projects addressing cybersecurity and technology problems for West Virginia businesses, startups, nonprofits, municipalities and critical infrastructure.
Professional field experience: MIST 491 Professional Field Experience provides supervised experiential learning through temporary placement with a public or private enterprise to develop professional competence.
Internships: MIS students are encouraged to pursue internships after their first semester in Chambers College, with the Center for Career Development using its network of firms and organizations to help students find opportunities.
Technology facilities: Reynolds Hall includes collaborative classrooms and learning labs, along with a Cybersecurity Lab, Data Analytics Lab, Wehrle Global Supply Chain Lab, Roll Capital Markets Center and Ideation Hub.
Technology software and infrastructure: Chambers College states that students use current word-processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software, with multimedia-equipped classrooms and wireless network access throughout Reynolds Hall.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MIS B.S.B.A. prepares students for careers that connect business needs with technology, including consulting, database administration, information-systems security, networking and telecommunications, systems analysis and design, and technology management. WVU reports that 98% of MIS students successfully found employment, started a business, joined the military or continued their education after graduation, while graduates have gone on to employers such as IBM, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PwC.

Typical job roles include: Systems Analyst, IT Consultant, Database Administrator, Information Security Analyst.

Students can strengthen their progression into employment through:

Center for Career Development: The Chambers College's dedicated career center connects students with employer experiences, externships, industry trips, career development resources and professional opportunities from their first year through graduation.
Internship network: MIS students are encouraged to complete internships, with the Chambers College's Center for Career Development using its network of firms and organizations to help students find suitable opportunities.
Employment outcome: WVU reports a 98% success rate for MIS graduates across employment, entrepreneurship, military service or continued education.
Salary information: WVU lists $108,970 median salary for the occupation of Computer and Information Systems Managers. This is an occupation-level figure rather than a guaranteed salary for MIS graduates.
Industry employers: WVU identifies IBM, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PwC among organizations where MIS graduates work.
Industry partnerships: The MIS department's DataDrivenWV works with external partners on real-world data-driven and technical solutions, giving students opportunities to apply their skills to organizational problems.
Cybersecurity industry exposure: The Karen Evans Cybersecurity Lab connects hands-on projects and research with industry partnerships and cybersecurity career preparation.
Professional standards: The MIS program is a member of the Association for Information Systems, while the Chambers College is AACSB accredited, providing external professional and business-school quality frameworks.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study at WVU or other universities. WVU specifically reports that MIS graduates have pursued graduate degrees at WVU, Carnegie Mellon University and the London School of Economics, among other institutions.