Overview
You will develop innovative strategies to address issues in systems integration, project and change management, digitalization, and new areas in computing such as:
- information technology management
- information systems development
- data analytics
- information security
- intelligent systems
- cloud computing
- health informatics
- learning technology
- bioinformatics
- environmental data analytics
Our curriculum emphasizes the tie between information systems (IS) and other disciplines, such as computer science and software engineering. Core courses cover both technical and managerial topics, including:
- enterprise information management
- enterprise modeling
- artificial intelligence
- data mining
- ethical, legal and social issues in IT
The program also includes an integrating capstone component and a required course in research methodology. Current and emerging concepts and technologies are studied through focus areas.
Application deadlines and start dates
| Application deadline | Start date |
| March 1 | Fall |
| Oct. 1 | Winter |
The Master of Science – Information Systems is a 39-credit online graduate program. There are 2 intakes each year: in Sept. and Jan. Most courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates.
Routes and options
There are 3 options for the career track component:
Learn more about career track options Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 2.5 to 3.5 years of full-time study, depending on your academic and employment background. You can take up to 5 years to complete all requirements.
Tuition and fees
Understanding how higher education fees and tuition are calculated is important to ensure you stay within your budget and make informed decisions.
Financial aid and awards
We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.
Explore financial aid and awards Fees
The following fees are effective Jan. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2024. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services; for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.
program application and admission fees | Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies: | $184 |
| Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable) | $255 |
| Non-program application fee (non-refundable) required only once: | $116 |
fees for in canada or out | Students living in Canada | $1,986 1 |
| Students living outside Canada | $2,232 1 |
1Master of Science – Information Systems (MScIS) course tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology Fee of $167 and Course Materials Fee of $35 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fee of $14 per credit.
Estimated program tuition cost (2023 - 2024)
The total tuition cost (project or thesis route) for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University would be $25,818 ($1,986 x 13 three-credit course equivalents). AUGSA fees, the Course Administration and Technology Fee, and the Course Materials Fee are included in the above calculations. Application and admission fees are not included.
Other fees
other fees | Transfer credit evaluation fee | $325/course |
| Supplemental examination fee | $116 |
| Course extension fee | $312 |
| Program extension fee. Same as course tuition fees (see above): |
| Letter of Permission fee | $93 |
| Western Deans' Agreement Administration fee (non-AU visiting students) | $250/course |
| Course withdrawal processing fee 1 | $423 |
| AU Graduate Student Association fee (per credit) | $14 |
| 1 The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees (see above) less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to the information about course withdrawal under Course regulations and procedures. |
Fee information effective Jan. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2024.
Focus areas
Information Technology Management
The information technology management focus area within Athabasca University's Master of Science - Information Systems program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the strategic role IT plays in today's organizations. This focus area dives deep into the core aspects of IT management through courses like Operations Management in Information Systems and Project Management for Information Systems. It also addresses contemporary issues like ethics, legal considerations, and social implications in IT, providing you with the well-rounded skill set needed to become a leader in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Learn more about the Information Technology Management focus Information Systems Development
Explore the complexities of developing and implementing socio-technical systems in organizational settings in the information systems development focus area. Through courses like Systems Development with Emerging Technology and Enterprise Information Management, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the full development lifecycle, including analysis, design, and evaluation. Elective options allow for further specialization in areas such as project management, ethical considerations in IT, or human-computer interaction, equipping you to meet the diverse challenges of today's information systems landscape.
Learn more about the Information Systems Development focus Data Analytics
The data analytics focus area is tailored for those who want to harness the power of data to make informed business decisions. Core courses like Object Structure and Programming, Data Mining, and Introduction to Learning and Knowledge Analytics lay the groundwork for understanding how to extract, analyze, and interpret data, converting raw numbers into actionable insights. You also have the flexibility to delve into specialized topics, such as ethical considerations in IT, artificial intelligence, or business intelligence, allowing you to address diverse data challenges in today's organizations.
Learn more about the Data Analytics focus Information Security
Learn to protect organizations from unauthorized access and data breaches in the information security focus area. Core courses such as IT Hardware and Software, Enterprise Computer Networks, and Enterprise Information and Network Security provide a solid foundation in understanding how to identify, evaluate, and mitigate information security risks. Through elective courses, you can explore specialized topics like ethical considerations, cloud computing, or advanced distributed systems, allowing you to tailor your expertise in ways that best meet the evolving challenges of information security.
Learn more about the Information Security focus Intelligent Systems
In our intelligent systems focus area as part of the Master of Science - Information Systems program at AU, we aim to prepare you for the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence (AI). Our core courses, such as Systems Development with Emerging Technology and Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques, will give you a strong foundation in AI technologies and the ethical dimensions that come with them. You'll also have the flexibility to choose from specialized electives like Computational Intelligence or Data Mining, allowing you to customize your education to fit your specific career aspirations in this exciting field.
Learn more about the Intelligent Systems focus Cloud Computing
In our cloud computing focus area we cover everything you need to know about the on-demand availability of computer resources. Core courses like IT Hardware and Software, Cloud Computing, and Advanced Distributed Services equip you with the essential knowledge for navigating today's cloud-based solutions. You'll also get to choose from electives such as Enterprise Computer Networks or Enterprise Information and Network Security, allowing you to specialize in aspects like networking or security within the cloud computing landscape.
Learn more about the Cloud Computing focus Health Informatics
Delve into the innovative intersection of healthcare and technology in the health informatics focus area. Core courses such as Operations Management in Information Systems and Health Informatics provide a strong foundation in both medical and computational disciplines. Plus, you have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of electives, from Critical Foundations in Health Disciplines to Software Engineering, allowing you to tailor your education to your specific interests in healthcare technology.
Learn more about the Health Informatics focus Learning Technology
In the learning technology focus area of our Master of Science - Information Systems, you'll explore the dynamic field of educational technology (EdTech), from its theoretical foundations to practical applications like learning management systems. Core courses like Introduction to Learning and Knowledge Analytics and Foundations of Instructional Design offer a deep dive into how technology can enhance educational approaches and learning experiences. You'll also have the freedom to choose from a diverse set of electives, including Adult Education and Lifelong Learning or Enterprise Modeling, to customize your educational journey.
Learn more about the Learning Technology focus Bioinformatics
Blend disciplines like biology, computer science, and statistics to make sense of complex biological data in the bioinformatics focus area of our online Master of Science - Information Systems program. With core courses like Algorithms for Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics and Genomics, you'll gain the skills needed to analyze and interpret large and intricate data sets. The program also offers a range of electives like Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques or Data Mining, allowing you to tailor your learning to your interests.
Learn more about the Bioinformatics focus Environmental Data Analytics (EDA)
In the environmental data analytics focus area of our Master of Science - Information Systems, you'll delve into an interdisciplinary blend of data science, geospatial technologies, and environmental modeling. Core courses like Data Mining and Environmental Data Analysis equip you with cutting-edge skills for acquiring, modeling, and mapping environmental data. You'll also have the flexibility to choose from electives such as Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in IT or Geographic Information Systems and Science, allowing you to combine your educational journey to your specific interests.
Learn more about the Environmental Data Analytics (EDA) focus Courses
In the Master of Science - Information Systems program, you'll engage with a structured curriculum that includes foundational courses to build essential knowledge in information systems, core courses to deepen your expertise, and elective options that allow you to specialize based on your interests. Depending on your academic background and professional experience, the program can be customized to require as few as 30 credits or up to 39, offering routes for essays, projects, or theses to best suit your career goals.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Master of Science - Information Systems, plus those specific to your focus area.
Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Program regulations
Focus area courses
Courses to explore
Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.
$pageFileName
Career options
After earning your Master of Science - Information Systems, you'll be well-positioned for a variety of key roles in the expanding IT and services sector, including information systems management, IT project management, and software design. Whether you aim to contribute to academia, industry, or government, the program also equips you with the applied skills necessary for research implementation and development, as well as the entrepreneurial know-how to create your own opportunities in the field.
Careers you could pursue may include:
- information systems manager
- IT project manager
- software developer
- data analyst
- business intelligence analyst
- systems architect
- research scientist
- database administrator
- educational technologist
- bioinformatics specialist
- environmental data analyst
- learning management system coordinator
- software quality assurance manager
- security analyst
- network administrator
- IT consultant
- systems analyst
- enterprise information manager
- user experience designer
- data scientist