Information Technology Management, General Concentration, MS

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Program Information

Contemporary Information Technology (IT) managers are organizational leaders who bridge and integrate the worlds of business and IT. They engage business leaders in ongoing and innovative application of information technologies, and have the skill sets to function in a complex discipline with many facets.

The Master of Science in Information Technology Management (MS ITM) program is designed to develop professionals suited for the top positions in the IT management field. The degree meets the needs of the modern management-level technology professional responsible for the planning, budgeting, design, integration and deployment of strategic enterprise technologies and programs that contribute to the organization’s success.

The MS ITM curriculum is grounded in the four foundational components of IT: 1) software, 2) infrastructure, 3) network/communications, and 4) data. The program addresses these foundations from both a contemporary and forward-looking perspective. Instructors with many years of field experience present courses that address strategic application of the foundation while integrating emerging technologies, e.g. unstructured data analytics (Big Data), cloud services, virtualization, mobile platforms, and social media. Students with a special interest in Business Analytics may choose a concentration in that area.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the MS in information technology management program will be able to:

Explain the framework of the IT discipline, identifying both foundational and support organizations.
Participate in management level discussions that cross IT departmental lines.
Identify issues associated with each of the functional areas of IT and offer solutions.
Engage in planning and budgeting processes for each of the foundational components of IT.
Use their knowledge of IT organizations to break down barriers existing between IT silos in their work environment.
Engage their business community in meaningful dialogue regarding possible solutions to IT/business problems.
Integrate new and emerging technologies into each of the foundational components of IT.
Apply knowledge gained in the program to the completion of a major capstone project.

Requirements for the Master of Science in Information Technology Management

Students considered for admission to this program will have a minimum of 30 undergraduate credits in IT courses, or three years of substantial full time work experience in an IT department. A business/engineering manager with four years of experience whose job requires significant interaction with IT may also be considered.

The master of science in IT management requires completion of 33 units in the graduate program. Foundation program courses may be waived in accordance with university policy regarding course waivers. To facilitate scheduling, students may be admitted to advanced program courses before completion of the foundation program, but must complete the foundation courses by the time that nine units have been earned in the advanced program.

Business Proficiency Requirement

Students admitted to this program are required to possess an understanding of U.S. business practices equivalent to BUS 201 Economic and Regulatory Essentials of U.S. Business . This requirement must be completed in your first term, and you must have completed this requirement no later than your first nine units at GGU. A grade of C- or better is required for BUS 201 . However, graduate students must maintain a 3.00 (B) cumulative grade point average to remain in good standing.

Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement

Students admitted to the master of science in IT management degree program must meet the graduate writing proficiency requirement within the first nine units of the program by successfully passing the Graduate Writing Placement Exam or by completing ENGL 201 Graduate Writing with a grade of B or better. Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria. For further information, refer to our website. https://www.ggu.edu/shared-content/enrollment/proficiency-requirements/#graduate-writing-proficiency

Math Proficiency Requirement

Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to Intermediate Algebra (MATH 20 ). Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under the heading “Proficiency in Mathematics, English and Computer Skills Required for Certain Master’s Degrees and Certain Graduate Certificates .”

Foundation Program - 3 units

The courses in the foundation program should all be completed or in process before any of the 300-level advanced program courses are taken.

MATH 240 Data Analysis for Managers 3 unit(s)

Advanced Program - 33 units

Students in the MS ITM program must complete ITM 300 in the first six units of the program. ITM 300 is a co-requisite of ITM 304 , ITM 315 , ITM 316 , and ITM 317 .

Core Courses - 24 units

ITM 300 Managing Information Technologies in the Business Enterprise 3 unit(s)
ITM 304 Database Theory and Data Management Tools 3 unit(s)
ITM 315 Infrastructure and Hosted Services 3 unit(s)
ITM 316 Software Engineering 3 unit(s)
ITM 317 Networks and Communications 3 unit(s)
ITM 323 Security, Privacy and Compliance 3 unit(s)
MSBA 321 Big Data Ecosystems 3 unit(s)
ITM 395 Strategic Information Technology Planning, Organization and Leadership 3 unit(s) (to be taken in last six units of the advanced program)

General Concentration - 9 units

Select three courses from the following:

ITM 342 Enterprise Architecture Planning 3 unit(s)
ITM 344 Project Governance: Portfolio and Program Management 3 unit(s)
ITM 398 Internship: Information Technology Management 3 unit(s)
MSBA 300 Foundations of Business Analytics 3 unit(s)
MSBA 305 Business Intelligence and Decision Support 3 unit(s)
MSBA 320 Advanced Statistical Analysis with R & Python 3 unit(s)
MSBA 324 Web and Social Network Analytics 3 unit(s)
MSBA 328 Data Visualization and Communication Through Storytelling 3 unit(s)

Full-time Cohort Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the Full-Time Global Master of Science in IT Management Cohort is selective and limited. Each application is carefully reviewed by the Cohort Admissions Committee of the Ageno School of Business.

All applicants must first be admitted to the Ageno School of Business. In addition to satisfying all the requirements for admission to the Ageno School of Business, applicants to the Global MS ITM Cohort program are required to demonstrate their readiness for this rigorous program. Applicants must:

Successfully complete GGU’s Graduate Writing Placement Exam with a score sufficient to waive Graduate Writing classes (or satisfy another waiver of GGU’s Graduate Writing Placement Exam);
Provide academic transcripts showing that he/she has completed mathematics courses equivalent to MATH 20 or above with a grade of “B” or better before enrollment;
Provide a detailed resume reflecting all education, all work experience and relevant awards, certificates and other accomplishments; and
Provide a written statement of purpose that addresses the following questions:

why the applicant believes the Full-Time Global Master of Science in IT Management Cohort is a good fit for his/her academic and professional development?
what strengths and experiences the applicant has that demonstrate his/her likelihood of success in the program? and
what circumstances or challenges in the applicant’s background need additional explanation (if any)?

A personal interview may be required, and the interview may be conducted in-person or via web-meeting/video-conference.