Financial Management and Accounting

Graduate School of Management and Technology

Program Description

The Master of Science in Financial Management and Information Systems (MSFS) is designed for mid-career professionals seeking a graduate degree that integrates a financial management curriculum with studies in the information systems field.

With an increasing requirement that financial managers have specific knowledge of and skills in information systems, the program prepares financial managers to effectively deal with information systems within organizations, and to play a leading advisory role in integrating and utilizing information systems to create value within their corporations. The curriculum equally benefits individuals in the information systems and CIO field who would like to expand their studies into the area of financial management.

---

Program Overview

The curriculum requires 36 credits and consists of six financial management courses, five information systems courses, and one program capstone.

---

Career Path

The MSFS program prepares graduates for a range of entry to senior level positions within the CFO/CIO organization of public and private businesses. Depending on a student's background and an employer's criteria, graduates of the MSFS program may qualify for positions such as:

• CFO or CIO
• Financial Manager
• CFO Liaison with the CIO Office
• CIO Liaison with the CFO Office
• CIO or CFO Liaison with the business units
• Financial, Budget, or Management Analyst

---

Student Profile

Students entering this program are not required to have backgrounds in any particular educational or professional field. Those interested in the accounting specialization must have completed 15 semester hours of accounting coursework with a grade of C or better in each course prior to enrolling in any graduate level accounting course.

The program will assist students who are:

• Currently in either a financial management position or information systems/technology job and who want to become a project leader or integrator associated with the specification, design, and implementation of financial systems within the organization
• Currently a CFO or CIO and who need to know more about these two disciplines that are becoming more closely integrated in modern organizations
• Currently not in a financial management or information systems/technology job, but with some academic background in business, and who want to transition into a position within an organization that focuses on being a project leader or integrator associated with the specification, design, and implementation of financial systems within the organization

---

Program Objectives

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Successfully apply financial management and information systems concepts, principles, and analysis techniques in the strategic and operational decision-making processes within their organizations
• Effectively communicate financial management and information systems ideas, concepts, and solutions
• Evaluate the effects of technology on an organization’s financial system
• Evaluate issues and innovations in financial management and information systems technology, and their effects on managerial decision-making
• Apply financial principles in evaluating the costs and benefits of information systems/technology investment
• Evaluate and design financial information systems to meet organizational needs and objectives
• Develop and evaluate alternative solutions to organizational problems

Admissions | Graduate School | Student Services | Library | UMUC Policies