Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much time will an online course take?

A. The time commitment for an online course is the same amount as for the version taught in the classroom.  In a typical semester, the instructor will teach two sections of the same course—one in the classroom in Springfield and one online.  Both sections cover the same material at approximately the same time throughout the 16 week semester. Therefore from perspective of a student’s workload it is the same amount of time—somewhere between 10 and 15 hours per course per week.

Q.  How many courses can I take per semester?

A.  Most of our students take one or two courses per semester.  Some of our graduate assistants or interns who work part-time take three courses per semester.  It is not recommended that students take more than 3 courses per semester because of the workload.

Q.  Who developed and teaches these online courses?

A.  The online courses have been developed and are taught by the same full-time faculty who teach our traditional classroom sessions.  We do not use graduate assistants to grade papers or respond to student questions or comments.  Those are all handled directly by our faculty members.

Q.  Why should I get my MIS degree online from UIS?

A.  Here are two factors to consider when you are deciding what to do:

  1. Work/Personal constraints.  If you work long hours or get pulled into the “crisis du jour,” or if you travel a lot, then an online program may be for you.  Or if you have a reasonably stable job, but personal constraints (like kids, aging parents or both) then the online option provides the flexibility to work around those unpredictable factors.  Or, of course, if you live somewhere where a suitable program is not available, then you should consider the online option.
  2. Our unique focus.  The MIS program was started  in 1986 with a deliberate focus on providing students with  a balance between technical skills and knowledge of business functions and processes.   This is a unique focus, because it is not a Computer Science degree nor is it an MBA.  Rather it is somewhere in between.  We believe there is an acute shortage of  people who have this balance—and indeed, if organizations are to survive and prosper in this technological age we must have people who have this balance.  If this philosophy interests you, then you should give us serious consideration.

Q.  I am interested in the field but I don’t have any technical background, which leaves me petrified.

A.  First, the prerequisites for the degree will get you up to speed somewhat. Keep in mind that what you may lack initially in technical skills, you make up in terms of your insights into how organizations function (or don’t function) and how information is used (or not used).  These real-world insights are extremely valuable.   The technical people, by the way, have the concern that is on the other side of the coin.  They think they don’t know much about how business and organizations really function.  So, everyone brings something to the party.  And our experience is that this mixture makes for a very good party.  By the end of the program you will have acquired technical skills, and the technical folks will have acquired a real understanding of how organizations work.

Q. Who do I contact with questions?

A. It depends.

Before registration.  If you have questions about the MIS program contact Dr. Hadidi the Department Chair at the address on the Request Information form .

Questions about registration.  Registration procedures and general admissions information are handled by the UIS Admissions Office.  They can be reached at 1-800-252-8533.

After acceptance.  After you enroll you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will be available for questions.  In addition, you will find that any of your instructors—and your fellow students—are good sources of information about the program.