International students in the MSIS program wishing to take advantage of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) should be aware of several key things:
- Go to this website for complete information about the CPT program: http://www.stevens.edu/iss/cptinfo.html#list
- CPT requires that you register for course work. You may choose a 3 credit or 6 credit option. With either option you must choose a faculty member to work with you as your primary advisor. With the 6 credit option you are also required to have Associate Dean Jerry Luftman as the Reader on your thesis.
- The only concentration in the MSIS program that includes the possibility of a 6 credit course is Information Management (IM). If you are in the IM concentration you can complete the MSIS degree and the CPT requirements within the 12 course program, choosing a 6 credit thesis.
- If you are in any other concentration in the MSIS program, you will need 1 or 2 additional courses to graduate with the CPT thesis. For example, if you are in the Financial Services Concentration (FS) the required courses fill all of the 12 course slots, therefore, your 3 credit CPT will be in addition to the 12 courses.
- The 3 credit option is accomplished by registering for credits in MIS800. You must register for all 3 at once. The required product for MIS800 is a paper that is not a formal thesis.
- The 6 credit option is a formal Master’s thesis which is accomplished by registering for 6 credits in MIS900. You may register for the credits in two ways: 1) 6 credits in one term or 2) two 3 credit courses. The required product is a formal Master’s thesis, approved by the advisor and the reader (Dr. Luftman). Details on the format requirements for the 6 credit thesis can be found at: http://www.stevens.edu/library/services/thesis.html
- Another option for those wishing to concentrate in something other than IM is to complete the MSIS degree with the IM concentration and the CPT thesis, and then go on to take the courses you need for a certificate in the area. This approach results in your being able to complete both the MSIS degree and a specialized certificate. The number of courses you will need beyond the MSIS degree to obtain the certificate will vary with the specific certificate; in general it will be 3-4 courses.
