Getting an online PhD in MIS is a great option for those who want to work with both computers and other forms of technology as well as financial topics. Management information systems (MIS) is a discipline that focuses on how to organize and use financial information via different forms of software. Those who graduate from an MIS PhD online program can work as an analyst or a consultant, but they can also work in research and development and in academia. We created this article as a way to help prospective students learn more about the most affordable programs that are available online.
Methodology
The information in this article comes directly from the National Center for Education Statistics because that nonprofit organization maintains accurate records with up to date information. We found 50 schools listed with this organization that offer MIS online programs, but we reduced that list down to include just the top 10 schools with the most affordable Doctorate programs.
While many students assume that getting a PhD online is expensive, our list proves that there are some affordable options out there. Some schools charge a rate of more than $30,000 a year, but our list includes schools that charge $25,000 a year or less. We even found some that let students get their degrees while spending less than $10,000 a year.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
In addition to using the National Center for Education Statistics, we also utilized the College Navigator created by that organization. This let us view all schools that offer MIS programs at the doctorate level and to identify those with the lowest rates. Students interested in these programs can now view the top 10 most affordable programs that we found.
Ranking Low-cost Online Management Information Systems PhD Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Careers are Open to MIS PhD Holders?
Many of the careers open to those who complete an online PhD in MIS are at the advanced level. While it can take years to earn a degree, it's important that students have some idea of the jobs waiting for them after they graduate. One of the more common jobs in this industry is that of a database administrator. Database administrators are responsible for the daily operations and security of a large database. They typically work for companies and corporations with security concerns and monitor the database for any security threats.
Those with more experience may want to work in cyber security. Cyber security is one of the newest related industries and one of the fastest growing ones too. These professionals work for the government and for organizations within the government like the Department of Homeland Security to keep government infrastructures safe. They can also work for public and private companies that need more security help.
Some of those with an MIS degree work as health care information technicians. The need for professionals in this field grew significantly after the Affordable Care Act passed because hospitals and facilities needed workers capable of keeping up with the flow of new patients who had insurance. As the government looks to change the ACA, the need for health care information technicians may drop.
A small number of students enroll in cheap online MIS PhD programs because they want to work in software development too. They have the chance to base their dissertations around software that they want to market and sell to customers after they graduate or software they hope to sell to a major corporation. Software designers find a problem that a large group of people has and builds software to solve that problem.
One field related to software development is game design. Game designers take an idea for a game and do the coding and other work necessary to build that game from scratch. They may assign tasks to other individuals or groups such as rendering the backgrounds used in that game or coming up with the plot that leads players through the game. Video game designers can also work in app development and design new apps.
How Long Does it Take to Earn a MIS PhD?
One common question that many students have before enrolling in an online PhD in MIS is how long it will take to finish the program. It really depends on how much time the student dedicates to his or her studies. Most of the affordable programs on our list allow full-time students to finish their studies in three years. They spend one year working on fundamental classes and core courses. The second year is when they have the chance to take more detailed courses and to come up with a dissertation topic and get approval for that topic. In the third year, students take fewer classes and spend more time doing research and any other work that their dissertations need.
Some students spend more than a year working on their dissertations. Those enrolled in more traditional programs may work as research or teaching assistants and work part-time on their dissertations. Students working from home can take more time to finish a dissertation too. They might decide to take a full course load in the first and second year and spread the third year out over multiple years. Colleges typically limit how long students can work on a dissertation though.
What is the Maximum Limit for Submitting a Dissertation?
The most important step or phase in any MIS online PhD program is the dissertation. Management information systems students will need to pick a subject to study and submit that topic to an adviser. The adviser may approve that topic as-is or recommend ways for the student to narrow down the subject further. Though students usually write an extensive paper based on the research that they do, some schools give students the option of doing an extensive project instead.
Colleges will typically give PhD students a specific amount of time to which complete and present their dissertations. This can range from five years to eight years. Those who do not present their work within the maximum time allowed will lose a spot in the program. They will then need to apply for a new spot, and the university may require that they take some classes over again. Colleges use this time limit as a way to encourage students to complete their work and to clear out space in the program for future students.
How Does Getting an Online Degree Affect Job Prospects?
A common misconception that some students have is that online programs are not as strong as traditional programs. Some of these students even hesitate before enrolling because they worry that prospective employers might look down at them for getting a degree online. While this was a common problem during the early days of the Internet and online schools, it's no longer true. Many top colleges now offer students the chance to study online, and depending on where a student goes, employers may not even know that a student got a degree online.
Going to college online can actually be an advantage for MIS students too. Management information systems students need a strong understanding of computer and Internet topics to work in the field. While working on their degrees from home, they learn how to weed out bad resources from good ones. They also develop strong skills in regard to the software used in their classes. MIS online degree holders can show employers that they are good at multitasking and that they have strong time management skills too.
Are There Any Related Disciplines?
Management information systems is a discipline within the computer science industry. Some also refer to it as a subset of the information technology (IT) field. IT professionals can work as independent contractors or for IT departments in major companies. They help with daily problems like computers that won't turn on or with viruses that employees accidentally download to their work computers. IT workers can also offer advice when it comes to purchasing new software or devices for the company.
One related discipline to MIS is business processes. Business process management refers to the way in which workers gather, collect and organization information relating to the processes and activities of a company. It usually requires the use of computer programs and software to keep track of profit margins, profit and loss statements, work flow and related tasks.
What are the Top Jobs in Academia?
Becoming a college professor requires a terminal degree, which is the highest degree that a student can get in a subject matter. In the MIS world, a doctoral degree is the highest level degree available. Students have the option of earning a Doctorate of Business Administration with a concentration in an MIS related field or a Doctorate of Computer Science with a concentration in a related subject. One of the most affordable MIS doctorate online programs that we found offers a full Doctorate in Management Information Systems, but these programs are fairly rare.
Professors and instructors can work at community colleges and vocational schools as well as private and public universities. Those working for universities usually earn more than those working in community colleges do, and public schools often pay less than private schools do. The median wage across all professors is $75,430 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but the BLS found that computer science instructors and those working in similar fields earn more than the median amount. Adjunct professors receive a rate based on the number of courses taught per semester. These instructors can work other jobs while teaching.
What About Consulting Positions?
Having a PhD in MIS also qualifies students to work as consultants. Consultants come in and help a company determine what changes to make based on the company's needs or goals. A management consultant might look at how effective the company is and make suggestions that will help the company run more effectively with changes to the software and programs that it uses. IT consultants deal more with the software and devices used by the company but may help the company find new IT workers too. Consultants can earn between $88,000 and $96,000 a year. Some consultants earn more than $100,000 a year.
Thanks for taking a look at our top picks. We think that each of these online PhD in MIS programs have some benefits for students today.
GSH StaffUpdated: March 4, 2020
