This certificate is designed to provide working professionals and non-MIS graduate students with a set of courses focused on the application of information technology. Information technology plays an important role for competitive advantage as a differentiator in many products and services. A certificate in MIS will enhance a student's understanding of the role of information technology and how it must be managed effectively as an organizational resource. Students must maintain good academic standing within the university, achieve a minimum grade of a B in each course applied toward the certificate, and complete all certificate course work within a period of six calendar years. Only courses taken at NIU may be applied toward the certificate. Courses used to satisfy the requirements for the certificate may also be applied toward a graduate degree with approval of the major department. All courses have Phase One prerequisites that are not part of the certificate curriculum.