Master of Business Administration/Master of Information Systems

The combined degrees (MBA/MIS and MIS/PDM) provide advanced management education for those on a track for senior IT management (Chief Information or Technology Officers) or middle management in the IT function of a firm. The degrees combine strengths of the management programs in the Melbourne Business School with key information systems management subjects within the Master of Information Systems program.

The key objective of the combined 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 eighteen MBA subjects: eleven core MBA subjects plus seven MBA electives, AND at least six MIS subjects: 4 core MIS subjects plus two Information
Systems (ISYS postgraduate or 9 level) electives. Three of the MBA core subjects are in the area of information systems: Data Analysis, Decision Making and Operations, thus bringing the
IS cognate subjects to a total of eight. The remaining two 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

• Leadership (unit subject) + Social Rseponsibility & Ethics (unit subject)
• Financial Accounting
• Managing People
• Marketing
• Data Analysis
• Managerial Economics
• Operations
• Financial Management
• Business Strategy
• Global Business Economics
• Business in Complex Environments

Plus seven MBA electives

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.

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

MIS Core subjects

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• an undergraduate degree in Information Systems with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) or equivalent; and
• the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); and
• two years of documented relevant work experience; and
• a personal statement outlining why they wish to be considered for the course.
Applicants are also required to nominate two referees.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• the GMAT score; and
• the work experience; and
• the personal statement; and
• the referee reports; and for short-listed applicants
• an interview.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

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 interview for short-listed applicants is for eliciting information on the following matters:
– standard of academic record;
– nature and length of employment experience;
– achievements subsequent to graduation;
– reasons for seeking admission;
– interpersonal and communication skills;
– maturity and motivation.
International and interstate applicants may be interviewed by telephone.

For more information on meeting the University's English language requirements, see: http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/info/international/english_and_foundation_programs

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University 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 University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The MBA/MIS and MIS/PDM are advanced combined degrees and are informed by the best available evidence-based research. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced independent critical inquiry, analysis and reflection. The Melbourne Business School components (MBA and PDM) use the highly respected case driven learning model that combines cutting edge management analysis of real firms with interactive methods. The MIS component has significant engagement and involvement from local and international practising information systems professionals and is informed by relevant industry-based research.

Students who wish to undertake this course need to do so sequentially, starting from the PDM rather than as a combined course. The PDM component of this degree is only offered in part time and therefore is not available for international students. For further information, please contact the Melbourne School of Engineering.

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: Domestic 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 12 core MBA subjects. Postgraduate Diploma of Management is not available for international students.