What is a Master’s in Information Technology?

A Master's in Information Technology degree is an important academic qualification in today's competitive business environment. Companies in different industries seek highly trained professionals who can think critically and offer advanced and more effective IT solutions. This post will shed more light on what a Master's in IT degree entails.

Related Resource: 30 Most Affordable Online Master's in Information Technology

The Degree

A master's degree in IT provides students with an academic platform where they can master specialized skills and knowledge and further focus on potentially rewarding careers. Students gain exposure in different areas of technology, business and leadership.

The degree is mainly designed for IT professionals who have a considerable amount of experience in the workplace. The coursework uniquely blends technology and business to produce individuals who are diverse and well-rounded. The courses, which are taught by highly skilled IT professors and business executives, prepare graduates to plan strategically, and implement and manage IT systems.

Curriculum

The Master's in Information Technology curriculum features the most recent IT topics and applications. Possible courses include cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), software processes, project management and engineering practice, data science and data warehousing. Those who want to specialize may choose to study advanced data mining, business intelligence, robotics, risk reliability and safety, and data analysis and decision making.

While most of these courses are designed for individuals who have a background in IT, there are some programs that can accommodate students who specialize in other fields.

Admission Requirements

Those who want to pursue a Master's in Information Technology must meet certain minimum requirements to gain admission into the university. US citizens must have at least a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution, a GPA at 3.0 or above and a GRE at 145 for verbal, 155 quantitative and 4.0 analytical. They must also have at least three letters of recommendations from professionals within the industry.

Foreign students must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized college in their respective countries. Those who come from China and India must have at least a GPA of 80 percent and 73 respectively in addition to a college degree. They should also produce three letters of recommendation and have all of their immigration documents, as required by the US government.

Job Outlook

Students who graduate with a Master's in Information Technology can expect to take on various IT management jobs. Some jobs require a bachelor's degree. But more advanced and potentially lucrative jobs require applicants with a master's. Some of the job positions graduates can get include database administrator, IT manager, chief information officer (CIO), chief technology officer (CTO), computer systems analyst and IT consultant.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment prospects for IT professionals is expected to increase significantly, meaning Master's in Information Technology graduates will enjoy good job prospects. Students should expect very lucrative salaries when they enter into their careers. They should expect a median salary of $78,000 per year. Those who will work as CTOs, CIO and IT managers should expect to earn as high as $270,000. IT consultants should expect to earn even more.

A Master's in Information Technology allows students to expand their knowledge base and create a clear path towards becoming successful leaders and managers in their careers. If you want to work in management and explore your leadership and management skills, then a Master's in Information Technology degree program might the right academic path for you.