Academic programs
College of Engineering
Master of Science in Information Systems
Master’s Degree
Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) closes the gap between business management, software engineering, and information technology. The program is designed to help you improve processes and solve complex challenges related to business and society. You’ll graduate ready to go beyond programming as an information technology leader, delivering safe, secure systems that help solve some of society’s biggest challenges.
Location
Oakland, California
Commitment
Full-Time/Part-Time
Duration
2-3 years
Type
Classroom or hybrid
Program overview
In Northeastern’s Master of Science in Information Systems program, you’ll engage in a broad, deep, and innovative curriculum that prepares you to become a problem-solver who designs groundbreaking software solutions that meet business-world complexities and the humanistic needs of users. You also gain the interpersonal skills needed to succeed across industries.
You’ll gain a solid technical foundation through advanced coursework taught by faculty with deep industry-wide experience in engineering techniques. Coursework includes business analysis, project planning, agile development, and quality assurance.
Information systems courses are interactive, conversational, and participatory. You’ll take ownership of your learning experience through technical sessions and discussions of real-world cases. The program offers a wide range of courses that reflect current and future industry trends, such as:
- Cryptocurrency and Smart Contract Engineering
- Engineering of Big-Data Systems
- Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
- Cyber-Security Engineering and Development
- Digital Business
- Full-Stack Software Engineering
- User Experience Design
- Data Science and Machine Learning Systems Engineering
You’ll have the flexibility to tailor the curriculum to your career interests through extensive elective choices. You can also participate in Northeastern’s leading cooperative education program, gaining up to eight months of professional experience in your field of interest.
Our program graduates have a lifelong career advantage as an information technology leader, delivering safe, secure systems that advance society.
Unique features
- The MSIS program enables you to solve complex business and societal challenges by developing your business management, software engineering, and information technology skills.
- The Oakland program offers both full- and part-time options.
- You can focus your curriculum on your specific career interests, including big data, smart contracts, user experience, and intelligent systems.
- Northeastern’s top-ranked cooperative education program provides up to eight months of professional working experience.
- This is a STEM-designated graduate degree.
Program objectives
The Master of Science in Information Systems program prepares you with the expertise you need—programming, design, and architecture alongside solid communication and interpersonal skills—to succeed in today’s rapidly changing technological and interconnected business world. You’ll graduate with:
- The ability to design, implement, and evaluate software products
- The ability to communicate effectively to a variety of industry professionals
- The ability to identify a problem and formulate solutions through advanced software engineering techniques
- A strong technical foundation
- An understanding of professional, ethical, and social issues as they relate to the behavior and impact of the generated software systems
Career outlook
- Northeastern has successfully placed a majority of MSIS program graduates at industry leaders such as Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, Oracle, and IBM, as well as global companies of all sizes.
- Employment for software developers is projected to grow 25% through 2032—much faster than the average for all occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
- Recent graduates are working in roles including:
- Functional engineers and architects
- Project managers
- Business design and process architects
- Data architects
- IT managers
Curriculum
For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.
Experiential learning
Northeastern University combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare you for real-world information system challenges. The cooperative education program, also known as co-op, is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few universities that offers a co-op program for graduate students. You’ll gain up to eight months of professional experience employed in your field of interest as part of the academic curriculum, giving you a competitive edge upon graduation.
The College of Engineering has 2,000+ co-op employer partners globally. Our dedicated team of co-op coordinators prepares you for the co-op experience through resume building, developing interview skills, and guiding professional development. Recent co-op partners for the MSIS program include Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Tesla, and Apple, as well as large corporations to startups globally.
Connect with a current student
Wondering if the MSIS program is right for you? Get a glimpse of the graduate student perspective and life as a Husky.
Tuition and aid
Domestic
$46.3K
International
$61.7K
The domestic tuition price is inclusive of a scholarship of up to 25% for all domestic students beginning their graduate studies in the 2026 academic year. This scholarship is not transferable to alternative programs of study, terms or campuses outside of Oakland, CA.
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025–2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Find detailed information on tuition and fees from Student Financial Services.
Finance your education
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
For information on funding opportunities including assistantships and scholarships, visit the College of Engineering’s graduate tuition and financial aid web page.
How to apply
Learn more about the College of Engineering’s admissions process and required materials, including deadlines.