Master of Business Administration/Master of Information Systems

The key objective of combining the management degrees (MBA and PDM) with the Master of Information Systems (MIS) is to equip students with capabilities to lead IT within contemporary organisations. In addition to broad management education achieved through the programs within the Melbourne Business School, the combined degrees cover management awareness of critical inter and intra organizational systems, the ability to assess emerging technologies for business benefit, as well as capabilities in handling IT strategy and governance and in achieving compliance, and protecting digital assets against threats.

Students also gain a broad business and real world perspective together with experience in applying business communication, interpersonal, and team skills to real situations. Further, critical thinking and analytical skills are honed through a mixture of advanced teaching models including case-based, experiential, and team-based approaches.

A total of twenty-six subjects comprising at least sixteen MBA subjects: 10 core MBA subjects plus six MBA electives, AND at least six MIS subjects: 4 core MIS subjects plus two Information Systems (ISYS postgraduate or 9 level) electives. Two of the MBA core subjects are in the area of information systems: Data and Decisions, and Managing Processes, thus bringing the IS cognate subjects to a total of eight. The remaining six elective subjects are taken from either electives within the MIS program or MBA subjects or a combination.

The MBA has elective subjects in the areas of Marketing, Finance and accounting, Strategy competition and governance, Organisations human resources and managerial development, Technology and operations management, International business management, Public sector management, and Entrepreneurship and innovation.

The MIS has elective sequences of subjects in the areas of IT service provision, IS project and change management, and in Business analytics.

MBA Core subjects

The World of Management (integrated)
Accounting for Managers
Managing People for High Performance
Marketing
Data and Decisions
Managerial Economics
Economics and Public Policy
Managing Processes
Financial Management
Business Strategy
Plus at least six electives from the MBA program.

MIS Core subjects

ISYS90043 Business Applications and Architectures
ISYS90032 Emerging Technologies and Issues
ISYS90038 IS Strategy and Governance
ISYS90051 Impact of Digitisation
(note: Data and Decisions, and Managing Processes are both IS related subjects)
Plus at least two ISYS postgraduate (9 level) electives.

Four further electives from the MBA or from ISYS postgraduate (9 level) subjects or combination from each.

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to successfully pursue the course using the criteria listed below:

• an undergraduate degree in Information Systems with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year of study and a minimum of two years documented relevant work experience;
• A completed Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Note: references above to a degree in Information Systems means a degree with at least 60% of specialised information systems studies, including a balanced mix of technical and management topics, project management and professional ethics.

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Information Systems welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Information Systems requires all students to enrol in subjects where they will require:
(1) the ability to comprehend complex science and technology related information;
(2) the ability to clearly and independently communicate a knowledge and application of science, and technology principles and practices during assessment tasks;
(3) the ability to actively and safely contribute in clinical, laboratory, and fieldwork/excursion activities.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

There may be additional inherent academic requirements for some subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these subjects.

Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

International students who wish to undertake this course need to do so sequentially rather than as a combined course. For further information, please contact the Melbourne Graduate School of Science.

Exit Points

Master of Information Systems: Students would qualify for the Master of Information Systems as an exit point from either combined degree if they complete ISYS90043 Business Applications and Architectures, ISYS90032 Emerging Technologies and Issues, ISYS90038 IS Strategy and Governance, ISYS90051 Impact of Digitisation, Data and Decisions and Managing Process, plus two ISYS postgraduate electives.

Postgraduate Diploma of Management: Students would qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma of Management as an exit point from either combined degree if they complete at least nine of the ten core MBA subjects.