MBA in Information Systems vs Computer Science: Which is right for you?

Although completing graduation will make you eligible for a job, more effort is needed to work in higher-level roles, especially the ones related to management, business administration, leadership, etc. On top of that, this PG course comes with several specialized or elective programs, allowing you to gain knowledge on specific business and managerial sectors.

Regarding IT professionals, the shift from technology to business becomes quite tricky. That’s why most professionals either focus on diploma courses with which they can use the knowledge to advance further in their careers. However, a diploma degree cannot help you have a significant career leap, such as transitioning from one domain to another or from a functional to a business role.

This is why choosing an MBA program will be more beneficial for you. It will not only help you gain information and skills related to business administration and management but also provide you with numerous job opportunities. With a technical background, you have two options: an MBA in Information Systems and an MBA in Computer Science. To help you choose between these PG courses, we have explained them in detail and identified the major determining factors. 

MBA in Information Systems

MBA in Information Systems is an amazing postgraduate program to upskill yourself and gain more knowledge about business management and technology combined. You can avail of either the full-time course, which lasts for two years, or a part-time course having a variable program duration. One of the significant reasons to choose an MBA in IT is to bridge your knowledge and skill gap between corporate requirements and your technical skills. 

Before proceeding further, here is a complete list of the standard curriculum for most online MBA programs involved with Information Systems. 

Semester	Subjects
Semester I	Managing People & Organizations Financial Reporting & Statement Analysis Managerial Economics Business Statistics Business Communication
Semester II	Financial Management Marketing Management Strategic Management IT for Business Business Leadership Research Methodology
Semester III	Management Accounting Legal Aspects of Business Enterprise Resource Planning Information Security Business Intelligence Tools Minor Project
Semester IV	Entrepreneurship and Innovation Sustainability Project Management Digital Marketing Fintech: Emerging Technologies in Finance Capstone Project

As we have discussed the subjects to be studied each semester, let’s look at the advantages you will receive with the online MBA program in Information Systems.

1. One of the significant advantages of pursuing an MBA in Information Systems is that you can handle the entire software-related aspects of company management. It can be maintenance and support for enterprise applications, knowing more about the database and all the stored records, and ensuring maximum safety for the information systems.

2. You will get many opportunities to work in various industries and sectors once you complete your MBA in Information Systems. From applying to IT companies to banks, investment companies, insurance companies, and so on, you will have many options. Hence, nothing will be able to stop you from making your future career more secure and prosperous.

3. With MBA in information systems, you will have the opportunity to further upscale yourselves in course programs related to business, management, and technology. Apart from this, you can apply for an E-MBA or executive MBA program based on various technologies.

4. From becoming an information system analyst to an area sales executive or sales and business development manager, there will be various job roles for which you can apply. It’s one of the many reasons professionals look forward to having a PG degree in MBA Information Systems or Computer Science.

Computer Science

Another excellent option for people with a technical background in PG courses is an MBA in Computer Science. It is a comprehensive domain where you will learn about various computer science sectors. For instance, you will learn about software development, enterprise application management, electronic record storage, and other aspects related to computer science, business administration, and process management.

To help you understand the course better, we have listed the general curriculum followed in most institutes offering MBA in Computer Science.

Semester	Subjects
Semester I	Object-Oriented and Programming Laboratory  Cyber Laws  Web Technology Laboratory  Web Technology and Design
Semester II	E-commerce  Project  E-Governance and ICT  Operations Management
Semester III	Web Designing Laboratory  Foreign Language  Programming in Java
Semester IV	Java Laboratory  Enterprise Resource Planning  Visual Programming

As a professional with MBA in Computer Science title holder, you can work in several job roles. Some of the significant career scopes you will have after completing the PG program are as follows:

1. Database Administrator 
2. Computer Scientist 
3. IT Engineer 
4. Computer Systems Analyst 
5. Software Engineer 
6. Computer Systems Engineer 
7. Information Systems Manager  

With the help of this degree, you will have several chances to apply to reputed companies worldwide. You can also select specific electives to gain depth of functional or domain knowledge. This is why most professionals opt for an MBA in Computer Science after graduation or while pursuing a job.

Comparison of MBA in Information Systems vs Computer Science

Now that we have discussed both the PG courses, it’s time to understand the points of reference for an MBA in Information Systems vs Computer Science. With the difference known, you can choose an ideal course to help you prosper further in your career.  

MBA in Information Systems	MBA in Computer Science
First, MBA in information systems is associated with data security, data handling, database management and operations, information security, and so on.	MBA in computer science comprehensively covers aspects about computation, software, and hardware. For instance, you will learn about programming languages, databases, designing and development processes, etc.
The subjects in MBA in information systems are more in number because it’s a specialized course focusing on a particular domain or functionality.	Contrary to this, MBA in computer science has less number of subjects but with broader concepts and studies.
If you have a background in information security and systems, opting for MBA in IIS will be a better option.	If you have a background in computer application, engineering, or anything remotely related to technology, you can choose an MBA in computer science.

Which program should I choose?

It isn’t easy to decide on the perfect course in the constant battle between an information systems MBA versus a computer science MBA. If you want a course program with a flat learning curve that can be completed efficiently, a computer science MBA is the best option. On the other hand, for domain-specific or in-depth functional knowledge, go with information systems.

Conclusion

This article discusses the differences between MBA information systems and computer science. Once you have decided which PG program you would like to choose and proceed further in your career, you must check out the courses on Online Manipal. You can choose an online MBA program with various electives based on your career goals. MAHE is offering Information Systems as a specialization with its online MBA program. In this program, you can learn various aspects of information systems along with the management and business administration principles. 

Key takeaways:

1. MBA in Information Systems or Computer Science will help professionals gain technical knowledge and business and administration simultaneously for career growth.
2. Both these programs are available full-time and part-time to ensure that professionals can take advantage of online studies and continue their jobs simultaneously.
3. Some of the best job roles for an MBA in Information Systems or an MBA in Computer Science are IT engineer, information analyst, information security analyst, database administrator, and data analyst.