Curriculum
The Master of Science in Accounting and Information Management (AIM) program educates business professionals in the strategic use of information technology to create shareholder value, by applying IT to improve business processes and support business decision making.Graduates of the program are prepared to lead twenty-first century organizations in a rapidly changing, global, and technology-driven environment. The objective of the Master of Science in AIM Program is to graduate professionals who:
Understand the role of information technology management in organizations
Have acquired specialized information management skills in at least one of six core concentrations
Have acquired analytical skills for decision making in dynamic, management positions
The three "tracks" within the program which allow students the opportunity to develop a specialized information management concentration are:
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Management Consulting
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Enterprise Technology Strategy
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Software Management
Program Highlights
Many students are attracted by the information management focus of UTD's existing management degree programs. Because many of our students have worked in technology-driven organizations, they enter UTDs School of Management with strong technology skills. Our programs are designed to build on this already existing knowledge base.A concentration in information management is important to today's industry and practitioners because global technology-driven e-commerce is the driving force in all areas of business. This is particularly true of major high-tech and professional service companies located in the Telecom corridor of North Texas.
With a focus on information and software management and management consulting, several new courses have been introduced in the AIM program to complement the portfolio of existing courses. These courses are taught by faculty with extensive industry work experience in the application and management of information technology for value creation, including ERP and supply-chain planning. Class lectures will be supplemented with relevant cases, guest speakers from industry, internships and access to industry-sponsored class projects by those who understand IT and how it is effectively used for the competitive advantage in today's e-business marketplace.
A topical and dynamic curriculum consists of courses which include:
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Software Management
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Information Technology Risk Management
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Analysis and Design with SAP
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ERP Systems with SAP and XBRL
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Business Value of Information Technology,
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Information Technology Strategy and Control
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E-commerce Strategy and Control
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Business programming with SAP
The program is reviewed annually by an external advisory council consisting of senior executives, CIOs, and partners of Big-5 consulting firms.
Career Opportunities
The information and software management concentrations are intended primarily for candidates who wish to emphasize management consulting, risk management, financial advisory services, or information and software management in their careers.Non-business undergraduate degree holders who wish to obtain a broad exposure to information management and related subjects can also pursue one or more of the three tracks in the information management concentration.
Career opportunities for graduates of the information management concentrations are broader compared to the customary accounting or MIS programs.Professionals who wish to broaden or redirect their career path from technical positions to managerial roles, or professionals who are interested in information technology project management or those who work in the office of the CFO and make decisions on IT investment budgets will find this degree program challenging and rewarding. Graduates of the AIM program will typically be hired in positions such as Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, Consultant, Project Manager, Associate, Software Controller, Product Marketing Manager, Information Architect, Assistant Controller, or Investment Banker.
Graduates with a concentration in Information Management are heavily recruited by today's IT business leaders greatly due their exposure to key management concepts involving the design, construction, and control of information processing activities within an organization; the strategic role of information technology in rapidly changing business environments; and the new business models and competitive strategies emerging from the electronic marketplace. All AIM students will have access to the UTD and School of Management Career Services and Placement Services for on-campus recruiting and placement activities.
General Information
The Mission of the Master of Science (M.S.) in AIM degree program is to prepare candidates for professional careers in management/information systems consulting or industry by emphasizing the role of strategic information management in organizations and financial markets and by enabling students to acquire focused training in one or more of the core services provided by professionals in the contemporary competitive technological environment. The M.S. degree program in AIM provides a tailored educational experience that encourages (1) a globally-oriented, information management focus, (2) a balanced conceptual and industry driven approach, (3) development of written and oral communication skills, and (4) a refinement of analytical and information management skills that results in enhanced decision-making abilities. UTD offers students a dedicated faculty along with direct interaction with key members of the information systems profession.
Degree Requirements
The M.S. in IM degree program is comprised of 36 hours of course work beyond prerequisite courses, including 12 hours of basic business core courses, 6 hours of accounting and information management core courses, and 18 hours of track-specific requirements at the graduate level.
Course Information
A list of courses which comprise the six AIM tracks can be found in the School of Management Graduate advising office. Interested students may contact David Ritchey or Amy Bass to obtain more information on the list of core and elective courses. You may also visit the AIM program web site shown below or the UTD Graduate Catalog to get more information.
Waivers and Transfers of Credit
Waivers of programs requirements may be granted in recognition of previous coursework completed with a grade of B or better within the past six years in a specific business program area.
Waivers are approved by the appropriate Program Director through a process which allows a student to skip a core course and take the next higher level course in the same academic area with no reduction in the overall program credit hour requirements.
Transfer credits may be granted for equivalent graduate course work taken at other universities with a grade of B or better within the past six years. Up to 12 hours of coursework from other universities may be waived from or transferred to the MS-ACCT degree program. Consult the UTD Graduate Catalog for further details. Applications for approval of waivers and transfers may be obtained in and submitted to the School of Management Advising Office.
