Degree Overview: Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Information Technology
Majors Overview May 19, 2015Get information about Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in Information Technology and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and professional certification and continuing education choices.
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Programs in Information Technology
The MBA in Information Technology program involves the examination of systems design, telecommunications, and computer hardware and software components by aspiring professionals. Undergraduate-degree holders enrolled in the program can expect to become adept at designing computer systems, managing networks and creating easy-to-use system designs. Individual and team projects include hands-on training.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree, in addition to submitting an updated resume and letters of recommendation. An admissions portfolio may also be a requirement at some schools.
Coursework
The curriculum in Information technology MBA programs involves the exploration of operations management, information systems management, global environments, and organizational behavior and leadership. Students are taught to ‘bridge the gap’ between everyday computer users in business and computer science. They gain problem-solving and critical analysis skills aimed at analyzing diverse organizational cultures, advocating change and recognizing dilemmas within business settings. Core coursework may cover subject areas such as:
•Managerial accounting
•Systems design and analysis
•Organizational strategy
•Marketing management
•Financial management
Career Choices
Graduates gain the skills they would need in managing and developing information technology projects. They also gain the hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge necessary for leading personnel as well as directing, planning, monitoring and managing information technology programs. They may choose from popular career options such as:
•Information security manager
•Information technology project manager
•Information system manager
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of 15% has been predicted for computer and information systems managers, including IT project managers and IT security managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2014, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $136,280 (BLS).
Professional Certification and Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates can seek continued education by earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Information Technology, a terminal degree program that incorporates concentration choices in information systems, software engineering and information security.
Multiple exams, including a comprehensive examination, must be completed by incoming students, before they can begin their original doctoral research. Once they complete the Ph.D., students can seek careers in academia or research. Additionally, professional organizations, such as CompTIA, offer multiple professional certifications, including IT for sales professionals and green information technology that master’s degree holders may obtain to boost their career prospects.