Learn about management information systems, a growing field with job opportunities expected to grow exponentially for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the career paths available for you.
If you enjoy technology, working with people, and problem-solving, MIS may be a suitable undergraduate major for you. Overall, the goal of MIS is to increase the efficiency of information systems using information technology (IT) expertise and business administration management principles. You can learn more about MIS degrees and careers in the following article.
MIS is short for management information systems—the study of people and technology and how they relate. MIS uses data to provide businesses with the information they need to make decisions that improve a company’s performance. MIS work involves data collection using technology and various reports to analyze business trends and future opportunities.
Management information systems typically fall into several broad categories, each tailored to meet specific business needs. The five most common types include:
⠀
• Process control system
• Management reporting system
• Inventory control system
• Transaction processing system
• Decision support system
Management information systems degrees are often confused with computer science degrees due to similar coursework. Both MIS and computer science degree programs include the study of computer-based information systems. However, MIS degree programs focus more heavily on business database systems, business systems analysis, and administration. Computer science degrees tend to include more programming, hardware, and software systems coursework.
An MIS degree indicates that you have mastered the basics of information technology and systems. It demonstrates your ability to apply technological skills to benefit business information systems. If you like working with computers, technology, and people, majoring in MIS can be an excellent foundation for your career. The section below lists a few areas of expertise you can expect to study while pursuing an MIS degree.
Aside from general education courses, you can expect to take business courses like macroeconomics and study areas of mathematics like calculus. The following are a few more courses you could complete as an aspiring MIS professional:
Principles of system theory and application
Database design and administration
Error control and risk management
Information system design
Completing an MIS degree program can offer various information technology and information management opportunities. If your goal is to work in the medical field, your degree program can include a concentration in health informatics. Another area of concentration is project management. Many schools also offer cybersecurity as a concentration if you're interested in computer forensics.
Read more: What Job Should I Have? Careers Based on Personality, Strengths, and Interests
Throughout your MIS studies, you'll build valuable, in-demand skills such as:
Problem-solving
Communication
Systems analysis
Leadership
Database administration and management
InfoSec expertise
Information technology essentials like computer networking and software development
Management information systems careers fall under the occupational category of computer and information systems managers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the outlook for these roles is promising. The BLS projects 17 percent job growth between 2023 and 2033 for computer and information systems managers [1]. This growth rate is much quicker than the average for all occupations and translates into about 54,700 job openings annually.
Your degree in MIS can provide opportunities as a data scientist, operations research analyst, and librarian. Other common career paths in MIS include information security and application development.
With an MIS major, you’ll combine business and technology skills to qualify for job titles such as:
The management information systems (MIS) field helps bridge the gap between business principles and computing technologies. Explore whether a career in MIS might be a good fit by trying the Information Systems Specialization from the University of Minnesota. Enroll for free to start building in-demand skills in project management, critical thinking, business analysis, and IT.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Computer and Information Systems Managers: Occupational Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Editorial Team
Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.