BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University received approval from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system board to begin offering a bachelor of science degree in management information systems. The new program will officially begin enrolling students during the Spring 2008 semester.

Bemidji State’s management information systems (MIS) major combines business administration and business information systems courses into a highly-demanded business information technology program. Integrating these existing programs into the MIS major involves classroom and real-world experience, leading to increased opportunities for career placement or graduate school for students enrolled in the program.

Management information systems graduates will develop a blended skill set, providing students who are interested in applying technology in a business environment a degree option which allows them to pursue successful careers as information technology professionals. It also provides students with more choices to match their unique interests, and the flexibility to blend business and information systems with other areas of study.

“The management information systems major reflects a shift in emphasis and adds flexibility for students with a broader variety of backgrounds,” said Doug Leif, professor of business administration.

The addition of the bachelor of science degree in management information systems continues Bemidji State’s goal of responding to the educational needs of the regional, state-wide and national workforces with new program offerings.

“Bemidji State has computer science, which is scientific and focuses on hardware and software, and we have computer information systems, which has a business software focus,” Leif said. “This new program has a management, information, business and Internet application focus. All are related, but are different directions under information technology umbrella.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that, by 2014, the information technology industry will create close to one million new jobs and, with retirements, have more than 1.3 million job openings. Information technology jobs account for 6 of the 30 jobs that the bureau predicts will grow the fastest, with increases around 50 percent over a decade.

The primary drivers of the changing information technology workforce are a shift from services perspective to a business process paradigm. Hiring organizations report the need for a “new breed” of information technology professional, one who must be adept at client-facing technical tasks such as systems analysis and design, but who also must understand the development and deployment of information systems which can drive business value.

For more information on the management information systems degree, contact the Department of Business Administration at (218) 755-2907.