The Craig School of Business at Missouri Western State University is ready to offer its first graduate degree program. The Missouri Western Graduate School is now accepting applications for a new Master of Information Management degree program with a concentration in Enterprise Resource Planning. The first students will enter the program in the fall 2014.

Enterprise resource planning, or ERP, systems are comprehensive data management tools used by a variety of businesses and organizations. The new program is intended to prepare graduates to work in an ERP environment with a sophisticated understanding of business processes and methods of implementing best practices in organizations.

“We are very pleased to receive approval for this program which will provide a critically needed resource to many Missouri companies,” said Dr. Mike Lane, dean of the Craig School of Business. “Although our program will use ERP software from SAP, graduates should be able to cross over platforms fairly easily to other ERP systems. The business process skills taught in this program are universal.”

Several companies in St. Joseph and the Kansas City area employ SAP as their ERP system. Graduates will be well prepared to contribute to these companies upon graduation. Consistent with Missouri Western’s applied learning mission, this program will include significant hands-on experience with the SAP ERP system. The Craig School of Business is a member of the SAP University Alliance which provides educational materials, simulations and access to fully functioning SAP systems for the students in the program.

The professional core for the program will include:  ERP Fundamentals; ERP Configuration; SDLC Analysis and Design; Business Intelligence and Analytics; Supply Chain and Customer Relationship Management; System Development Life Cycle (SDLC); and Project Management. The thirty-hour program will also include twelve hours of electives. Students will have an option to take an SAP certification test as part of the program if they choose the SAP TERP 10 class as an elective.

“SAP certification can be an expensive process, so the ability to complete that within the scope of a degree program is a tremendous benefit to students,” Dr. Lane said.

Students interested in learning more should contact the Craig School of Business at 816-271-4338 or visit www.missouriwestern.edu/mim/.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.