The School of Accounting & Information Systems recognizes the roles that accounting and information systems have in corporate, governmental, and nonprofit organizations. Management Information Systems (MIS) address socio-technical issues related to managing and delivering technology-based solutions to support organizational processes, decision-making, and products and services. MIS professionals apply technology to integrate and support business functions (e.g., accounting, finance, marketing, production, and management). Since technology is Integral in MIS, accountants are required to be knowledgeable of MIS and its internal control environment as well as its use in recording, summarizing, and reporting financial transactions to investors, lenders, employees and regulators. The accounting and MIS programs at Lamar University provide students with a number of choices in degree plans. The graduate programs and online management accounting and analytics program are STEM-designated degrees. According to the Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics, the 2020-2030 employment outlook for accounting and information systems professionals is projected to grow 13 percent for computer and information technology professionals and 7 percent for accounting and auditing professionals.

Accounting

Accounting is the underlying foundation of business and provides information to all stakeholders (e.g., management, investors, lenders, and regulators) in their evaluation of the financial performance of corporate, governmental, and non-profit organizations. Accountants are viewed as integral to the global economy and are required to not only have knowledge of accounting principles and practices in preparing and reporting financial information to stakeholders but are required to possess critical thinking, analytical, research and communication skills. Careers in accounting include public accounting, management accounting, and financial management and include professional certifications (e.g., Certified Public Accountants and Certified Management Accountants).

The accounting programs in the School of Accounting & Information Systems are designed to prepare our accounting graduates to be “career ready” and possess the necessary technical and soft skills for success. They address the current national trend in having accounting degrees STEM designated degrees. Knowledge gained in the classroom address the skills required in today’s competitive global economy. Emphasis is placed on addressing accounting theory and concepts, data analytics, and technology, as well as critical thinking, research, and communication skills. Real-world experience is gained through internships with corporations and accounting firms. Our graduates have achieved success in their careers as partners in public accounting firms and financial positions in corporations (e.g., Chief Financial Officer) and successful entrepreneurs

Dual M.S.-PA-MBA

The dual M.S./PA-MBA is a dual-degree plan for those students already earning an M.S./PA with at least six hours of electives from the MBA. An additional 18 hours of MBA. core courses (including MGMT 5380 Strategic Management) are required, and the student must complete the MBA Exit Exam. Applicants apply to either the M.S./PA or the MBA, and should the applicant wish to enroll in the dual degree, she/he will add the other program as a second major. The total number of hours in this dual degree program is 48 hours.

Dual M.S.-PA-MS-MIS

Given the M.S./PA is a STEM-designated degree and includes 12 hours of MMIS courses including ACCT 5355 Data Analytics, students may wish to continue the program and take an additional 18 hours of MMIS courses (15 hours of MMIS Core Courses and 3 hours of MMIS elective courses) to obtain a dual M.S./PA-MMIS degree. If the student in the M.S./PA wishes to be admitted into the dual M.S./PA-MMIS, she/he will add the MMIS as a second major. The total hours of the program would be 48 hours.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to M.S./PA students who:

1. earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 for their first baccalaureate degree and a minimum GMAT score of 450 or
2. received a GMAT waiver and earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate accounting courses taken and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.

Management Information Systems

The School of Accounting and Information Systems offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) major in Management Information Systems (MIS) with two tracks (Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Business Analytics), a minor in MIS, a minor in Business Analytics, and a STEM-certified Master of Science program in MIS. MIS courses are integrated with SAP education through the SAP-University Alliance Program. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required to enter and remain in the BBA-MIS program. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in MIS courses is required to successfully complete the BBA in MIS. A student can obtain a minor in MIS or Business Analytics by completing 18 credit hours of approved courses listed in the Lamar University catalog.

The discipline of Management Information Systems focuses on socio-technical issues related to managing and delivering technology-based solutions that support organizational processes, decision-making, and products and services. An MIS professional will apply technology to integrate and support business functions such as accounting, finance, marketing, and management. MIS students learn to analyze, design, develop, and maintain information systems to support business activities across the organization. Additionally, with the ERP track, the students learn how to identify key integration points and navigate successful business transactions, and with the Business Analytics track, the students learn how to use data to help businesses make operational and strategic decisions that optimize their competitiveness in the marketplace.  MIS students are taught a variety of software such as Oracle, many different SAP S/4 HANA modules, Tableau, Visible Analyst (CASE tool), SAS, Python, R, Primavera P6, Advanced Excel, etc.

Graduates of the MIS program are highly sought after because of their training in data analysis and problem-solving. They contribute to the performance improvement of the organizations through the planning and implementation of information systems. They are prepared to meet the challenges of a global environment characterized by rapid technological change because they have mastered many professional skills.

The program prepares graduates to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. It requires students to develop interpersonal skills and to apply both qualitative and quantitative techniques to solve business problems in group and team settings.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor projections, jobs in MIS and related areas will grow at a faster rate than in most other areas. Careers awaiting the graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree in MIS include Systems Analyst, SAP Consultant, IT Project Manager, Database & Data Warehousing Administrator, SAP Business Analyst, Computer Support Specialist, ERP-Analyst, Technical Support Analyst and Customer Support Specialist.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems

Master of Science in Management Information Systems