Pace University - New York

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: School of Information (This Major's Salary over time)
On the whole, the MSIS (Master of Science Information Systems) program is unchallenging and poorly organized. Many of the instructors are chosen the week before classes begin. (This isn't speculation, it's what the professors themselves have told me.) As a result, these instructors don't have a clear idea of how they want to teach the class. Pace really needs to change this practice. Choosing an instructor the week before class is not fair to the student or the instructor!

If you are a student with no previous information technology experience, look out. Students with no previous IT experience are having a horrible time finding jobs. The program doesn't teach you any practical skills, so you are stuck unless you can find some other way to acquire them.

Most of the classes don't require anything more than reading a book. If you go class and keep up the assignments, it is almost impossible not to get an A.

As far as the quality of the faculty, it is a mixed bag. Some, such as Dr. Surendra, are very good. I got my two lowest grades in the program from him, yet I respect him more than any other instructor in the program. He actually teaches you useful skills that you can use to improve your career prospects. My only criticism of Dr. Surendra is that he reduce the amount of material he tries to present. You could make three quality classes out the material he presents in a single class.

On the other hand, we have Dr. Booker. Dr. Booker is a prime example of why tenure should be eliminated. You can't read the things he writes on the whiteboard. He talks in a quiet voice that is very hard to understand. Worst of all, he assigns you textbooks that are 10 years out of date or are ridiculously easy. For example, one of my textbooks was

Project Management for Dummies

So, if you are looking to acquire cutting edge knowledge to advance your career, LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE! But, if you need a Master's degree to get a promotion and don't want to work too hard, come on in! This program is tailor made for you.