Information on Master of Science (MS) Degree in IT Management
Majors Overview July 11, 2015This article talks about Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in IT Management and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Science (M.S.) Programs in IT Management
Students enrolled in a master’s degree program in IT management learn about core business concepts as related to networks, computers, systems technology, and Web communication. Students usually take 12-24 months to complete these programs, and coursework is offered fully online by some programs. Graduates can seek jobs involving IT systems management and deployment in numerous fields, including business, finance, and marketing.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree, and in some schools, work experience in an IT field. They may also be required to complete undergraduate coursework in computer information systems before seeking admission to some upper-level courses.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to grant students a strong technical background in business management and information systems theory, apart from delving into the ethical and legal issues associated with networking, computing, and security. Students enrolled in some programs may be required to complete an internship experience before they graduate or avail opportunities to study abroad. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•System planning and delivery
•Strategic IT Management
•Decision-making for managers
•Corporate social responsibility
•Accounting and finance
•Marketing
•Security management practices
•Enterprise system security
•Managing IT professionals
•Project planning and financial management
Career Choices
Program graduates may seek managerial jobs in the IT field, with the IT departments of various nonprofit organizations, businesses, or government agencies, or with technology consulting firms. They may choose from possible job titles such as:
•Director of IT planning
•Networking administrator
•Chief of networking security
•Information Officer
•Systems Manager
Job and Wage Outlook
In March 2014, information security officers brought in an average annual wage of $85,772, while chief information security officers and IT directors earned respective average annual wages of $124,650 and $99,573. In 2012, systems managers and network administrators brought in respective average annual wages of $120,950 and $72,560 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of 15% has been predicted for computer and information systems managers. During the same decade, network and computer systems administrators are expected to see a 12% growth (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates seeking continuing education may earn a doctoral degree in information technology management, such as a Doctor of Management (D.M.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Information Technology. These degrees could lead to a career in academia or research.
Coursework in a doctoral program includes participation in and conduct of original research. Admission criteria in a doctoral program may require incoming students to hold a master’s degree in a related field of study.