The goal of the Master of Science in Information Technology is to prepare leaders with the ability to bridge the chasm that often exists between information technology and other aspects of an organization. As such, the program provides students with a solid background in both arenas in order for them to effectively address real world issues. On completion of the program, the graduate will be able to identify and respond to problems within an organization for which information technology can provide access to solutions, to develop solutions that effectively integrate technology, and to implement and assess the change required. Further, graduates will be able to clearly and effectively articulate their approach and findings to both technical and lay audiences in both written and oral forms.

Leaders must be able to express themselves clearly and compellingly if they are to serve as the bridge within their organizations. Thus, the program has a strong emphasis on the development and demonstration of the ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats. Students will be provided with opportunities in each course to develop and hone these skills.

Each candidate for admission will receive a personal assessment of the likelihood of his or her success in this graduate program and of the probable contribution that the candidate will make to his or her organization after graduation.

Among the criteria that will be included in this assessment are:

• A solid undergraduate record in information systems or a closely related field. The candidate's area of studies is less important than the accomplishment of a successful record of academic achievement.
• Two years of experience in the application of information technology in the operation of a business, not-for-profit organization, or government agency.
• The candidate's personal statement of his or her reason for pursuing a graduate degree, the reason for selecting this particular program, and how the candidate's background has prepared the applicant for success in the program and the business world after graduation.
• Two letters of reference attesting to the candidate's experience and abilities and readiness for graduate studies.
• The results of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are not required for admission to the program. The candidate may, however, wish to submit such scores in support of his or her application.
• Candidates whose undergraduate degree was completed in a language other than English must submit their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores as a part of their admissions materials.
  
• Students who have not completed the equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in information systems will be required to complete up to three background courses to assure readiness for the rigors of graduate study. Those students with a three year bachelors degree will be required to complete a bridge program equivalent to a fourth year of study.
  
  

It is expected that students will take two courses per term throughout their programs. Participation in a co-operative work experience will be a part of the program to ensure that students are able to use their knowledge to apply information technology to the operation of a business entity and to help provide the funds necessary to cover the costs of graduate education.

The program length is 18 months, and the expectation is that students will complete in this length of time. Should extenuating circumstances arise, the time-to-completion may be extended to as much as four years at the request of the student and with the approval of the Dean.

The program consists of 36 credits as follows:

6 credits of Foundation Courses

18 credits of Core Courses

6 credits of Elective Courses

6 credits in a Capstone Course

The student must complete any required Background Courses prior to beginning the formal program. The initial and required two Foundation Courses have been designed to acquaint all students with the latest thinking and developments in technology and management as they affect business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. No student will be exempt from these courses. Students next move to a set of six Core Courses designed to provide the tools necessary to address information systems problems that face organizations today. Having laid the foundation, students focus their programs through the selection of two Elective Courses. Chosen in consultation with the student's advisor, these courses provide students with the specialized, focused training they need to equip them for their own career paths. Finally, each student completes the Capstone Course in which what has been learned in all of the student's program is brought together into a final project.

Background Courses (9 credits, as required) *

ACCT 500 Foundations of Accounting (3)
MGMT 500 Foundations of Management (3)
INST 500 Foundations of Information Technology (3)

Foundation Courses (6 credits) *

MGMT 510 Business in the Global Environment (3)
TECH 510 Technology in the Global Environment (3)

Core Courses (18 credits)

CMSC 512 Computer Architecture (3)
INST 518 Technology and Operations Management (3)
INST 522 Database Design and Processing (3)
INST 534 Computer and Information Networking (3)
INST 569 Data and System Security (3)
MKTG 580 Electronic Commerce (3)

Elective Courses (select any two courses; 6 credits) **

CMSC 501 Structure of Programming Languages (3)
CMSC 518 Data Communications Theory (3)
CMSC 528 Data Structures (3)
CMSC 541 Computer Graphics (3)
CMSC 571 Artificial Intelligence (3)
CMSC 576 Expert Systems (3)
ECON 530 Economics for Managerial Decision Making (3)
INST 574 Management Information Systems (3)
INST 587 Special Topics in Information Technology I (3)
INST 588 Special Topics in Information Technology II (3)
INST 598 Directed Research (3)
MGMT 530 The Legal Environment of Business (3)
MGMT 551 Quantitative Methods for Business (3)
MGMT 573 Fundamentals of Project Management (3)
TECH 580 Technology in the Business Enterprise (3)

Capstone Course (6 credits) ***

INST 599 Information Systems Project (6)

TOTAL: 36 credits

** Foundation Courses must be taken during the student's first semester in the program (following any required Background Courses).

*** Elective Courses are offered on a rotating basis; not all courses will be available during any given academic year.

**** The Capstone Course and project must be completed during the last semester of the program.