What Is MIS (Management Information Systems)? Degree Guide

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

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.

[Featured image] Two management information systems (MIS) professionals sit at their desks in a brightly lit office.

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.

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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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What is an MIS?

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.

What are the five main types of MIS?

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

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MIS vs. computer science

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.

What is an MIS degree?

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.

Earn Your Degree

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

You are Currently on slide 1

MIS coursework

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:

MIS degree concentrations

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

Essential skills

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

MIS major job outlook

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.

Careers in MIS

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:

Learn more about MIS on Coursera

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.

Earn Your Degree

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

You are Currently on slide 1

Article sources

  1. 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.

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