Dr. Shmuel Fink shares the ins and outs of this dynamic program—and explains why it’s almost like four different degrees.

If you’ve ever thought about pursuing an advanced degree in computer science, you may have considered a Master of Science in Information Systems. But what type of career will this degree prepare you for, and what specific skills will you learn as you pursue it? We asked Dr. Shmuel Fink, chair of the MS in Information Systems program at the Touro College Graduate School of Technology, what students can expect when they enroll in Touro GST’s Information Systems program.

“The Information Systems program has four different components to it,” explains Dr. Fink. “The way the degree is structured, there are four core courses that everybody takes, and then there are four required courses that vary depending on your concentration. It's almost like four different degrees, but it's not. We have one Master of Science in Information Systems, with these four different concentrations that lead to four completely different career paths. So, we really need to discuss the four concentrations separately, one at a time, even though they all fit under the one umbrella: Master of Science in Information Systems.”

To do that, Dr. Fink discussed his program with Payam Bina, Chair of the Instructional Technology program. Here, they go over the finer points of the Information Systems program.

Network Administration and Cybersecurity

The Network Administration and Cybersecurity concentration is a good fit for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a cybersecurity specialist, a head technician, a computing cloud specialist, or a network engineer.

“There are basically two main parts of these courses,” explains Payam Bina. “Students have to know network security, which is the foundation of anything to do with cybersecurity, to go out to the outside world. We initially prepare them to work with systems. Then we progress to the more advanced topics.”

By the time students are done with the with the program, Bina says, they can start out in jobs such as consultant engineer, cybersecurity engineer, network engineer manager, head technician cloud computing specialist, and more.

Data Analytics and Database Systems

“The Data Analytic and Database Systems concentration doesn't just prepare students to work with data, but it actually prepares students to work with databases as well,” explains Dr. Fink. “It's a unique combination that I don't think too many other programs have.”

In addition to learning SQL (Structured Query Language), which is invaluable in working with data, students learn how to work with databases as well. This prepares them for jobs such as data analyst, business intelligence analyst, or data warehouse analyst, just to name a few.

“Both sets of skills will help them,” says Dr. Fink. “Students come away with very strong skills in SQL, but it's not two unrelated fields. If they become a Data Analyst, the SQL skills will be invaluable, and if they work with a database, the data analytics skills will help them as well. Those skills are certainly in high demand, and they're also well suited for entry-level positions. It's a great way to break into the field and get started. We're preparing students to be able to start at the bottom and work their way up.”

Technology Leadership / Project Management

This concentration focuses not just on learning to manage a project (you can read how to become a project manager here), but it also presents a greater vision of where an organization is going. “Technology leadership isn’t just focused on just getting from point A to point B. It's the broad view of how the company will grow and move to the next phase, and how technology will enable them to do that,” says Dr. Fink. “Technology leadership is a visionary position.”

Of course, Project Management, which focuses on managing a specific project and trying to get that project done, is an extremely popular and in-demand field as well. “Every project needs a project manager,” says Dr. Fink. “But Technology Leadership prepares students for high level positions such as Chief Information Officer or Chief Technology Officer.”

A graduate of this program could start working as a Project Manager and move up through the ranks of management. “It’s not unlikely that they can become a Director of Technology and move up to be a Vice President, and from there to be a CTO and a CIO,” says Dr. Fink.

Web and Application Development

The last concentration, Web Application Development, shouldn’t be confused with Web Designer, says Dr. Fink. “That’s something that someone in the Web and Multimedia Design program would be better equipped for.”

A Web Developer, he explains, is the person who gets the website to work. “A Web Designer would pick the colors and the fonts and the layout and where the buttons should be. A UI/UX Designer would determine how it should be laid out and how it can be most user friendly. But a Web Developer is the person who takes those designs and screens that the designers laid out and actually gets them to function.”

Banks, e-commerce merchants, and any organization with an interactive website need web developers to make the backend database function. “You go to the Amazon website, and you type something in. You get a bunch of results, and you see at the top that there are categories,

so you click on a category. You can sort by price, low to high, or high to low. Creating the code so that the program works is what the Web Developer does.

As you can see, although the Master of Science in Information Systems is one degree, there are many different areas of study, and multiple career paths one can pursue. Which of these concentrations sounds most exciting to you? Attend an open house to find out more and take the next step toward your future.