Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Business Administration—Management Information Systems, BA
What Is the Study of Business Administration-MIS?
The Business Administration program has been designed to prepare students for leadership roles in business and the community. One program objective is to provide students with the perceptual and analytical skills necessary in making decisions and evaluating policy in business; another is to develop student understanding of the social, economic and regulatory environment of business. The program is designed for students with a variety of career goals, including opportunities with financial institutions, manufacturing and retail firms, service industries and the public sector.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
MIS majors learn how to determine the capabilities information technology can contribute to an organization and how to develop and apply information technology-based business solutions. The strength of an MIS major lies in his/her ability to combine an understanding of business with the knowledge of information systems and technology to help organization compete more successfully or streamline current operations. MIS professionals are involved in growth technologies, such as decision support, e-business, database development, client server systems, and development of web-based technologies for electronic commerce.
How to Declare:
Pre-major
Status is granted to students who have confirmed admission to WWU, completed 45
credits, and earned a GPA of 2.5 overall or 2.75 in the foundation courses they have completed.
Full major
Students must have completed the following requirements:
- Confirmed admission to WWU and have 45 credits or be in the CBE Distinguished Scholars program.
- Be in good academic standing with the University and meet one of the following GPA requirements: Either: 1) a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the eight Foundation Courses listed below, including grades from transfer courses and Advanced Placement credit or 2) a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 in all college-level course work including transfer work.
Foundation Courses
- MATH 157 Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics
- ACCT 240 Financial Accounting
- ECON 206 Introduction to Microeconomics
- ACCT 245 Managerial Accounting
- ECON 207 Introduction to Macroeconomics
- DSCI 205 Business Statistics
- MGMT 271 Law and the Business Environment
- MIS 220 Intro: Business Computer Systems w/lab (or equivalent, or exam)
Provisional Major
Major status is granted provisionally to students who are completing their last
foundation course(s) and would be eligible for full major status upon successful completion of their
current course work.
How to Apply
For consideration as a pre-major, provisional major or full major, complete the online application form.
Advising Tips
- Complete MATH 157 and DSCI 205 requirements early
- For information regarding the MIS 220 Equivalency Exam see the Department of Decision Sciences website for test-out information.
Coursework
Foundation Courses
- ACCT 240 - Financial Accounting
- ACCT 245 - Managerial Accounting
- DSCI 205 - Business Statistics
- ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
- MATH 157 - Calculus With Applications to Business and Economics
- MGMT 271 - Law and the Business Environment
- MIS 220 - Introduction to Business Computer Systems
Core Courses
- DSCI 305 - Applied Business Statistics
- FIN 341 - Principles of Finance
- MGMT 311 - Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior
- MGMT 382 - Business and Its Environment
- MIS 320 - Principles of Management Information Systems
- MKTG 380 - Principles of Marketing
- OPS 360 - Operations Management
Advanced Core Courses
- MGMT 495 - Strategic Management
MIS Concentration Courses
- MIS 321 - Systems Analysis and Design
- MIS 322 - Business Applications Development
- MIS 421 - Business Database Development
- MIS 495 - Corporate Information Systems Management
- One course from:
- MGMT 313 - Teamwork Basics
- MIS 492 - Systems Implementation Project
- OPS 461 - Project Management
- Select 8 credits from:
- ACCT 421 - Accounting Information Systems II
- OPS 461 - Project Management
- Upper division MIS courses
- Other upper-division courses (including computer
- science) may be possible under advisement
- Familiarity with an additional programming language highly recommended
- Take one Communication Focus (CF) course and a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses (WP) at WWU with a minimum grade of C-. The CF and WP courses must be taken within CBE and can be completed as part of the above required and elective courses, prior to graduation. Consult the Timetable of Classes for the specific course sections that fulfill the CF and WP requirements.
- Accounting and Business majors must complete a minimum of 90 credits in areas other than accounting and business administration.
NOTE: All MIS students must take MIS 322 - CSCI 140 is not an acceptable substitute. Students should talk to their advisors about other CSCI courses that may be appropriate as a second nprogramming language.
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: MATH 157
- SSC: ECON 206, 207; MGMT 271
Sample Careers
- Systems Analyst
- Computer Systems Manager
- Software Test Analyst
- Administrator
- Database Administrator
- Software Developer
- Business Analyst
- Website Developer
Department
Contact
Department Website:
CBE Admissions & Scholarships
Dean’s Office
Parks Hall 419
360-650-3896
Major Information
Academic Department Manager
Stephanie Wanne
PH 343
360-650-3902
Department Chair
Steve Ross
PH 343a
360-650-4890