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Introduction to the IT leadership program. Understanding an organization’s (your own or a customer’s) mission, resources, and constraints. Application of Conway’s Law and Allison’s Organizational Process Model to IT. Introduction to communicating effectively with non-technical executive leadership: verbally, through email and other written forms of communication, and through presentations. Examination of different IT governance models and how to apply them.
Students may apply up to 9 units of elective coursework from a selected elective pathway toward the 30-unit degree requirement.
No. Electives are optional. Students may complete the general MS-ITL pathway or choose an elective in Applied Data Science, Artificial Intelligence or Cybersecurity based on their career goals.
Most require nine elective units. The Comprehensive Foundation in AAI includes core coursework in the subject and requires only six elective units to complete the comprehensive foundation in AAI.
No. Electives are optional. Students may complete the general MS-ITL course curriculum or select an elective pathway or foundation based on their career interests and professional goals.
Candidates who have a GPA above 2.75 are not required to take a GRE or GMAT; however, a standardized test such as GRE or GMAT is recommended for applicants with a GPA under 2.75.
No. Students have a total of five years to finish the full course. The curriculum schedule functions on a rotational system, meaning that if a student skips a course, they will have to wait for the rotation to complete before jumping back in. We encourage individuals interested in the program to speak with an enrollment advisor or to work with their program coordinator, who is available to help every step of the way.
Yes. Courses for both the Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership and the Master of Science in Applied Data Science degree programs are designed specifically with working professionals in mind. The online program can be completed on your own schedule (as long as deadlines are met).
The MS in Applied Data Science is a standalone technical master’s degree. The MS-ITL program provides an information technology leadership-oriented degree with the option to develop advanced data science knowledge through targeted electives.
Yes. The MS-ITL degree with a foundation in data science is designed for professionals seeking more data science proficiency to increase their ability to confidently engage in data-driven decision making.
A technical undergraduate degree is not required. However, this pathway is best suited for professionals with prior experience in IT, analytics, or a related field. Familiarity with data concepts and working with information systems is helpful.
Candidates who have a GPA above 2.75 are not required to take a GRE or GMAT; however, a standardized test such as GRE or GMAT is recommended for applicants with a GPA under 2.75.
No. Students have a total of five years to finish the full course. The curriculum schedule functions on a rotational system, meaning that if a student skips a course, they will have to wait for the rotation to complete before jumping back in. We encourage individuals interested in the program to speak with an enrollment advisor or to work with their program coordinator, who is available to help every step of the way.
Yes. Courses for both the Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership and the Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence degree programs are designed specifically with working professionals in mind. The online program can be completed on your own schedule (as long as deadlines are met).
The MS in Applied AI is a standalone technical master’s degree. The MS-ITL program provides an information technology leadership-oriented degree with the option to develop foundational knowledge of applied AI principles, techniques, challenges and applications through targeted electives.
Applicants should have at least two years of experience in an IT-related field, such as network and systems support, server operations, DevOps, etc. Examples of relevant experience can include computer user support specialists, database administrators and architects, computer systems analysts and network and computer systems administrators. Students interested in AAI electives should have some familiarity with at least one of the following programming languages: Python, C, and Matlab.
MS-ITL applicants don’t need an IT degree, but they must have a bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) from an accredited institution. For those interested in AAI electives, it is recommended to have some knowledge and experience with Calculus and Linear Algebra. In addition, applicants should be familiar and have experience with at least one of the following programming languages: Python, C, and Matlab. It is preferable to have at least two years of work experience in the information technology field.
Where can I apply for these programs?
There are many different MBA and MSIT programs available throughout the U.S. To explore potential MBA programs and where you can start the application process, start with mba.com. For the master of science degree, try starting with Masterstudies. U.S. News and World Report also has an extensive database for both MS and MBA degrees.
If you’re interested in applying for the MS-ITL degree, that is available at the University of San Diego. The application process can be started at this link.
How much does it cost to take a program?
Again, specific costs will vary from school to school. On average, the cost for both MSIT and MBA programs is around $40,000 in yearly tuition – though additional costs for boarding and supplies can quickly inflate that amount. Some full-time private schools can cost up to $200,000 over two years.
Online degrees and accelerated programs can cost less than full-time and on-campus programs. The total tuition cost for USD’s MS-ITL degree is $27,750.
How long does it take to finish a degree program?
The length of any program will depend both on the specific requirements of the college or university and the amount of time you can dedicate toward accumulating the required number of credit hours.
For example, a full-time student could complete an MSIT degree within 16 months. Whereas a part-time student may be able to complete the same degree within a two-year period, though it could also be longer.
For more details, research whether a school offers its degree program as traditional, accelerated or part-time:
With a requirement of 30 credit hours that can be completed within 20 months of online courses, the USD MS-ITL program is considered an accelerated degree.
What other career possibilities are there?
First, while likely careers were listed for each degree, none are mutually exclusive. It’s possible for an MSIT graduate to get a position as a computer systems analyst or an MBA in IT graduate to work up to CIO within a company. Also, some companies will define job positions in different ways. An IT Director might be the same as CIO for one company, but a unique position within another.
Provided you have the education and experience to showcase your skills, you can secure a position within the tech industry that satisfies your career goals. Other tech-aligned positions to be on the lookout for include:
No. Though both SRE and DevOps share similar cultures of improvement and seek to optimize system operations, they differ in focus. DevOps is more concerned about the speed of delivery for application changes, as their priority is a faster release of incremental changes. The primary goal of SRE is to keep systems stable while supporting the fast changes made possible by DevOps.
SREs should be experienced in software development, system administration and operations, containerization management, system monitoring, cloud platforms and automation. SREs also need strong interpersonal and self-management skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication.
Most companies will require that SRE candidates possess at least a computer science or engineering bachelor’s degree with courses in computer programming, software engineering and software development. A master’s degree may be preferred for some positions and can be necessary to qualify for higher-paying leadership positions.
A Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) is an IT professional who ensures the optimal performance of software systems and infrastructure. While SREs share similar goals with DevOps teams — using collaboration, communication and automation to optimize development and platform performance — their priority is a system’s availability, scalability and reliability.
An IT management degree provides education and skills training in computer science, business and communications. Graduates of IT management degrees are better able to analyze, rethink, redesign and automate complex IT systems to achieve an organization’s strategic goals. With an IT management degree, you will be more prepared to determine solutions, manage resources and support personnel to solve information technology challenges.
If you’re interested in attaining a higher-level leadership position in IT, then a degree in IT management or leadership can be very beneficial. Unlike other specialized IT degrees, IT management offers a broader overview of IT systems to provide students with a more versatile skill set that’s applicable across different industries. Ultimately an IT management degree is what you make of it, as you can determine which career path aligns best with your professional goals.
As more companies embrace digital transformation, information technology (IT) plays an increasingly vital role in management by enhancing decision-making, improving communication and collaboration, streamlining processes and fostering innovation. IT provides the tools for data collection, storage and analysis, enabling managers to make informed decisions quickly. It also supports various management functions such as strategic planning, operational control and performance evaluation. Overall, IT is instrumental in optimizing organizational efficiency and supporting the overall strategic goals of an organization.
Applicants should have at least two years of experience in an IT-related field, such as network and systems support, server operations, DevOps, etc. Examples of relevant experience can include computer user support specialists, database administrators and architects, computer systems analysts and network and computer systems administrators.
No. Students have a total of 5 years to finish the full course. The curriculum schedule functions on a rotational system, meaning that if a student skips a course they will have to wait for the rotation to complete before jumping back in. We encourage individuals who are interested in the program to speak with an enrollment advisor or to work with their program coordinator, who is available to help every step of the way.
MS-ITL applicants don’t need an IT degree, but they must have a bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) from an accredited institution. It is preferable to have at least two years of work experience in the information technology field.
Finding the right master’s program in IT Leadership can be the key to your future success. Use our free eBook as a guide to ask the most important questions that will advance your career.
