IMIS M.A.

Program Structure

Blended Learning approach with an "External Option"

The degree course International Management & Information Systems follows a blended learning approach. Only the first semester is designed as an on-site studying experience. The second semester is designed as an off-campus experience. This means that the modules are organized completely as online classes, allowing for distance-learning opportunities as a practical semester at a business organization, or as pre-structured credit options with international partner universities.

The third semester is used exclusively for the Master’s thesis, along with a block seminar on research methods, and can be arranged flexibly. The thesis can be written either with a research-based focus or with a practice-oriented focus in cooperation with a partner business organization.

Qualification Goals

The objective of the IMIS course is to qualify students for future leadership roles considering the requirements of modern information and communication systems. In addition to the further development of expert knowledge, a central objective is the development of self-management, social and methodological competencies.

In detail, the program aims to achieve the following qualification goals:

• Development of in-depth scientific knowledge and application-oriented competencies in the areas of Business Administration and Information Systems. Graduates should be able to independently analyze problems in the context of complex information systems or business issues and to solve them with the help of scientific methods. They should also be able to critically analyze and evaluate operational processes, procedures, and decisions and apply scientific methods adequately and within the framework of a responsible management style. The recognition, evaluation and proactive design of technology-driven changes play a key role in this process.
• Imparting of international, multicultural and social competencies. Due to the English-language instruction within the study program modules, the international background of the students and the intensive and regular group work, the students’ foreign language and intercultural skills are further developed. The academic discourse in the international student group promotes the intercultural awareness of the students and creates an added value beyond the subject by learning about other cultures. In addition, the focus is put on transfer (science - practice) and a critical reflection of scientific methods and operational practice. The group work, which is carried out during the online phases, takes place with the help of various interactive, multimedia tools that prepare students for networked, cross-location collaborations in practice.
• Enabling students to engage in lifelong learning. The pronounced e-learning support together with the continuous combination of contact time and self-study aims at the further development of the ability for self-directed lifelong learning. Taking into account the amount of heterogeneity of information available today, it is important to deal systematically and critically with different types of data and information resources.