University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 
    
    Apr 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2023-2024

BS/MS Accelerated Program, Information systems


The College of Business and the Information Systems Department offers an accelerated program to earn both BS and MS degrees.  The accelerated BS/MS program encourages outstanding students in the Information Systems BS program at the University of Nevada, Reno to obtain an MS degree in a shorter amount of time.  Students will enhance their business data analytics knowledge and skills with this program.

I. Brief Description


The accelerated BS/MS program encourages outstanding students in the Information Systems BS program at the University of Nevada, Reno to obtain an MS degree in a shorter amount of time.  Students will complete the data analytics emphasis in the MS Information Systems (MSIS) degree program to enhance their knowledge and skills in statistics, information systems, and data-supported decision-making.  

II. Contact Information


Dana Edberg, MSIS Graduate Program Director
(775) 784-6179
dte@unr.edu

Amir Talaei-Khoei, Department Chair
(775) 682-7145
atalaeikhoei@unr.edu

III. Admission Requirements


Applicant Criteria 
  • At least 75 credits towards the BS degree must be completed.
  • Have completed College of Business lower-division business core.
  • Have completed at least 15 credits in information systems with at least 9 credits in upper-division (300 or above).
  • At least 9 credits of information systems must have been earned at UNR at the time of application.
  • Have completed IS301.
  • Have completed either IS350 or CS135.
  • International students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper) 79 (internet).
  • GRE or GMAT is not required.
  • Two letters of recommendation are required.
  • Minimum overall 3.2 GPA.
  • Application must be completed before completing the BS degree.
  • A student must complete the Bachelor’s degree at UNR to be part of the Accelerated Master of Science Program.
Application Process

1.  Meet with your undergraduate advisor and the Graduate Director of the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program.  Discuss your eligibility for admission and what classes will be taken at the graduate level for completion of the undergraduate degree.

2.  Submit the graduate degree program application.  Do this after completing 75 credits towards your B.S. degree. The application should be submitted prior to April 1st for acceptance in the Fall semester and by October 1st for acceptance in the Spring semester.

3.  Submit the accelerated program form.  The link provides the information that must be submitted as part of the accelerated program, but the form is available via a DocuSign PowerForm.  

4.  When the accelerated program form is approved by all participants (advisor, Graduate Director, Associate Dean, Graduate School) then you can enroll in the approved classes at the date/time of your MyNevada registration appointment.

Note:  To make changes to the approved courses list on the accelerated program form, students must gain approval from their undergraduate advisor and the MSIS Graduate Director before resubmitting the form.

IV. Program Requirements


Program Guidelines

To enable students to earn both degrees in five years, the accelerated BS/MS program allows students to take up to twelve credits of 600-level or 700-level courses acceptable for their bachelor’s degree. Students typically apply and are admitted to accelerated programs at the end of their junior year and enroll in graduate credits (as stated above) during their senior year. These 600-level or 700-level courses may also be applied to a master’s degree, provided the student passes each of these courses with a “B” or better. The 600-level courses that students select for this purpose must be approved by their undergraduate faculty advisor, MSIS program Graduate Director, College of Business Advising Office, College of Business Dean’s Office and the Graduate School.  Students must be admitted to the program before graduate courses can be taken.  

View Program Requirements for the Information Systems, BS in Bus. Ad. in this catalog.

View Program Requirements for the Information Systems, MS (Data Analytics Emphasis) in this catalog.

Continuation Requirements

The Graduate School requires students to maintain an average GPA of 3.0 in all courses applied to the master’s degree. The College of Business requires all students participating in the accelerated program to maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher in all courses to be applied to the master’s degree.

Students whose undergraduate and graduate GPA drops below 3.2 will be placed on academic probation for the accelerated program for one semester. If they raise their GPA to meet the standards above, they will be removed from probation and returned to good standing. If after one semester, students are not able to raise their GPA sufficiently, they will be removed from the accelerated program. Students who are removed from the accelerated program may continue to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees under the normal requirements.

V. Financial Impact


Students admitted to the accelerated programs may use their approved 600-level classes towards their full-time undergraduate status.

However, students must pay graduate credit tuition and the associated differential fees for the graduate-level courses. Not all scholarships can be used for graduate credit, but some financial support may be available through the graduate program. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships regarding financial aid eligibility.