Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT)

Take your career to the next level by learning advanced skills to analyze complex business needs, apply technological solutions, and drive growth. Become a leader in the field of information technology and serve a key role in a variety of industries. This degree is the perfect solution for working professionals looking to advance their career, or those looking to change professions.

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Apply By:
May 30, 2024

Classes Start:
June 20, 2024

No Live Lectures

12 Courses

Less than a year

Pay as You Go ($400 per course assessment)

Overview

Discover cutting-edge technological solutions to real world problems and gain a competitive advantage in one of the fastest-growing fields worldwide. Identify complex business problems and implement computer-based solutions while honing your leadership qualities. This degree is perfect for working professionals who want to advance their career in tech.

What you’ll learn

Design solutions to complex computing problems

Understand industry-recognized best practices and standards

Analyze user needs and provide computing solutions

Assess the development and implementation of IT systems

View Goals

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be accepted to the Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program as a Degree Student, applicants must be 18 years old or older and meet all the admissions requirements as follows :

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's degree diploma/transcript from a US accredited institution or an equivalent degree from an accredited international institution.

Proficient in English

Applicants must show evidence of English Language proficiency.

Programming Language Knowledge

Applicants must show evidence of a working knowledge of at least one programming language obtained from prior coursework, career experience, or other sources.

Mathematical Literacy

Applicants must submit documented proof of successful college-level coursework in either Calculus, Linear Algebra, or Statistics.

CURRICULUM/COURSES

The curriculum for the Master's in Information Technology has been specially designed to provide students with the latest knowledge and skills in the ever evolving field of technology. Students must complete at least 12 courses.

Foundation Courses : 3 courses | 9 Credits

MSIT 5210 Databases

3 Credits | None

Developing and managing efficient and effective database applications requires understanding the fundamentals of database management systems, techniques for the design of databases, and database administration principles. This course will emphasize database concepts, developments, use, and management in three main areas: database concepts, practice, and emerging trends. Relational database systems are the main focus, but other types, including object-oriented databases, are studied. The practical design of databases and developing database applications using modern software tools will be emphasized.

MSIT 5212 Operating Systems

3 CREDITS | NONE

This course covers the core concepts of modern operating systems. In this course, we’ll discuss the basic structure of the operating system which is based on three key ideas: virtualization, concurrency, and persistence. Through these three key ideas, we’ll see how an operating system controls the execution of user programs, attached devices and acts as an interface between computer users and the hardware.

MSIT 5214 Algorithms

3 CREDITS | NONE

This course is an introduction to design of computer algorithms and the analysis of sophisticated algorithms. Students learn how to analyze the asymptotic performance of algorithms, and gain familiarity with major algorithms and data structures. They also apply important algorithmic design paradigms and methods of analysis, in addition to synthesizing efficient algorithms in common software engineering design situations. Students will use Python or Java programming language to implement and analyze algorithms to evaluate efficiency.

Required Business Electives : (Choose 3 out of 6) | 9 Credits

BUIT 5110 Managerial Accounting

3 Credits | None

decision making. It will focus on the managerial uses of accounting information and provide students with an understanding of how managers use accounting information to analyze and evaluate operational performance, including what data to collect, how to gather it, how to display it for efficient decision making. Specific skills acquired will be identifying fixed and variable costs, leading to the ability to calculate break-even points; calculating the present value of cash streams leading to the ability to construct capital budgets; constructing flexible budgets for manufacturing uses; non-routine decision methods; and financial trend analysis for financial statement interpretation.

BUIT 5111 Financial Management

3 CREDITS | NONE

This course will provide students with an understanding of the components of an organization’s internal financial conditions and how decision-makers manage these resources in the context of external markets and institutions. The real-world challenges of corporate finance will be covered, including evaluating financial tools; employing basic financial analysis tools; and acquiring an understanding of core financial decisions. Specific skills acquired will be financial trend analysis; calculating the present value of cash streams leading to the ability construct capital budgets; calculating bond interest tax shields; constructing corporate valuation models; and assessing the impact of various sources of capital infusions on the cost of capital structure of a firm.

BUIT 5112 Marketing Management

3 CREDITS | NONE

Effective organizations, whether in the public, private or non-profit sector, seek to attract and retain satisfied customers consistent with their mission and capacity. This course will emphasize the theory and practical skills associated with assessing customer interests, desires and needs; identifying organizational fit; and harnessing the organization’s capacity to respond. It will explore the relationship of marketing to other business functions and consider the challenges faced by organizations seeking to serve international and cross-cultural markets.

BUIT 5113 Organizational Theory and Behavior

3 CREDITS | NONE

This course is designed to expose the student to the fundamental principles with which to understand human behavior inside public organizations. The course examines various theories developed in an attempt to explain and predict employee behavior in an organizational context. This course investigates individual and interpersonal behavior in organizations, including personality, decision-making, personal perceptions, teamwork, conflict, leadership, power, ethics and influence. In addition, this course seeks to analyze organizational-level factors affecting behavior, including change management, internal reward systems, culture, and organizational communication.

BUIT 5115 Business Law, Ethics and Social Responsibility

3 CREDITS | NONE

Leaders and managers are accountable to shareholders, they are economically, financially, and legally responsible for what happens with their organizations. Ethical and social responsibility is similarly ascribed to those in charge. The course covers how an organization’s values and actions affect internal and external constituencies. It introduces reasons to promote responsible behavior on the part of organizations, and their employees. Students study real-world dilemmas and gain experience analyzing competing positive values, choosing among fully legal options, and navigating the grey area that frequently surrounds key management decisions. Studying classical cases of business failures will alert students to the ethical steps needed to protect young ventures and the consequences of failing to act ethically in the ongoing conduct of commerce.

BUIT 5611 Managing Projects and Programs

3 CREDITS | NONE

Project management enables organizations to optimize the use of scarce resources to accomplish strategic goals within a fixed timeframe. This course covers the tools and methods available to manage large and small projects and programs from inception to completion. Students are introduced to the principles and practices for contracting and procurement and the role of the project manager in these processes. They utilize this knowledge to develop a project plan that includes needs assessment, articulating rationales, specifying steps and processes, identifying resource needs, assigning roles and responsibilities, predicting costs and timelines, developing controls and pursuing risk mitigation, and articulating methods to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and fit to identified need.

Program Electives : 3 courses | 9 Credits

MSIT 5910 Capstone Project*

3 Credits | None

This course is completed as the final required course in the MSIT program. It offers students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and research skills gained in their coursework to an applied system design project which demonstrates attainment of all program outcomes. The Capstone Project also requires incorporation of business-oriented concepts learned from the program’s required Business Administration elective courses in the systems design process. As part of this course students will also present their project (live or via recorded video) to their Course Instructor.

MSIT 5260 Foundations of HCI

3 CREDITS | NONE

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) focuses on the theories, and technologies that establish and understanding of the complexity and relationship between humans and computing systems. The course includes the human-computer interface in the design and development of technologies, using cognitive and social characteristics of people, as well limitations that affects design and implementation decision making.

MSIT 5270 Foundations of Cybersecurity

Core Electives : (Choose 3 out of 6) | 9 Credits

MSIT 5216 Programming Languages

3 Credits | None

There is tremendous diversity when it comes to computer languages. New languages are created to solve new computing problems. This course covers the basic concepts and design tradeoffs of programming languages. We will examine the different types of languages, their properties, and their uses. We will also look at the history of programming and how computer languages operate to interact with computers and manipulate data.

MSIT 5220 Advanced Databases

3 CREDITS | NONE

Students are provided with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills in advanced topics in database systems, data marts, and data warehouses. The specific topics covered include indexing methods, query processing and optimization strategies for relational database systems, Object Relational Mapping and Object Database design, distributed database systems, data mining on large databases.

MSIT 5224 Advanced Algorithms

3 CREDITS | NONE

The need for efficient algorithms arises in nearly every area of computer science. But the type of problem to be solved, the notion of what algorithms are “efficient,” and even the model of computation can vary widely from area to area. In this second class in algorithms, we will survey many of the techniques that apply broadly in the design of efficient algorithms, and study their application in a wide range of application domains and computational models.

MSIT 5226 Foundation of Machine Learning

3 CREDITS | NONE

This course covers the theory and practical algorithms for machine learning from a variety of perspectives and will introduce the fundamental concepts that enable computers to learn from experience. An emphasis will be placed on the practical application to real problems. Topics include classification, clustering, dimension reduction, support vector machines, learning theory, online algorithms, and classical methods such as linear regression and reinforcement learning. This course will also offer a mathematical and practical perspective on artificial neural networks and will investigate the optimization and regularization techniques.

MSIT 5228 Foundations of Networking

3 CREDITS | NONE

In this Foundations of Networking course, you will learn the basics of electronic communications and networking. Throughout the course, we will mainly be focusing on:

By the end of the course, you will learn how data are transferred electronically from one device to another device or other networks, like the internet.

MSIT 5230 Foundations of WWW Technologies

Careers

Where will a Master of Science in Information Technology take you? Your degree will help prepare for a job as a:

Information Security Manager

IT Director

Cloud Architect

Management Consultant

As a UoPeople student, you’re never on your own—our Career Service Center provides resume feedback, networking tips, interview techniques and more.

What Does An IT Professional Do? A Brief Career Overview!

An IT professional helps businesses and individuals make the most of their computers and network systems. They may develop, test, and maintain technology.

Is Technology A Good Career Path For You?

Many people have asked, “Is technology a good career path?” So, we took the time to answer what makes technology careers so enticing and how to get involved.

$60 application fee

$400 ASSESSMENT FEE PER COURSE

IN TOTAL AROUND $4,860 FOR THE DEGREE

Paying for school

UoPeople does not charge for tuition, books, or campus expenses. You’ll never have to pay fees for courses upfront. We charge only a $60 application fee, and a $400 assessment fee at the end of each course. This is a huge savings compared to U.S. public universities who charge on average $66,340 for a Master’s of Science in Information Technology degree. Over the course of your studies at UoPeople, you can expect to pay a total of $4,860—less if you have credits to transfer in! Our mission is to make it possible for everyone to afford a degree, if you can’t afford these fees scholarships and grants may be available.

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Flexibility

Concerned about managing your studies while you work or juggle family life? Don’t be! Over half of our students are successfully studying while working, raising families, or both. You can too! UoPeople is proud to be the world’s most flexible option for earning a high-quality, accredited, 100% online degree. Learn more about how our programs are specially designed to work for you:

Asynchronous Learning

At UoPeople there are no live lectures, and no set class times. Instead, you can enjoy the freedom of online flexibility and study on your own schedule. Complete assignments during your commute, on your lunch break, or after the kids are in bed. As long as your course work is finished by the end of each week you’ll stay on track for graduation.

Accessible Technology

All you need to study at UoPeople is a stable internet connection – whether it’s on a desktop, laptop, or even your cell phone. Courses never require heavy video files, and the UoPeople Online Campus is compatible with most browsers. Students even receive a subscription to Office 365 including Microsoft Office, at no extra cost.

Transfer Credits

Have credits from another accredited university? Great! Master’s degree students can transfer up to 50% of their total credits to UoPeople. There is no charge for transfer credit evaluations, and if accepted there is a small fee of only $17 for each course transferred.

Common Questions Students Are Asking Us

Questions regarding our academic programs offered at UoPeople

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Does UoPeople accept international students?

Absolutely! UoPeople has students from over 200 countries and territories.

Are the programs accredited?

University of the People is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.

Will I get the academic support I need?

Absolutely! Classes at UoPeople are small and highly qualified instructors are available to answer students’ questions and offer support. Additionally, each student is connected with a personal Program Advisor at the commencement of their studies, who remains with them until graduation. Program Advisors act as the students’ personal support system throughout their studies. The Program Advisor will answer any questions the student may have, offer academic advice, discuss course selection, and offer encouragement throughout the student’s studies.

What is asynchronous learning?

Asynchronous learning allows you to learn on your own schedule. You will have access via the UoPeople Online Campus to assignments, lectures, and other learning materials. There are no live lectures or set class times at UoPeople.