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    Nov 21, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Information Technology Management, Project Management Concentration, MS


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.

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 .

Project Management Concentration - 9 units


A structured graduate concentration designed to provide ITM students with the project management skills they need to succeed when implementing IT changes and innovations.

The concentration provides beginning and advanced project management technical skills based on the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), Agile management framework and tools, and an understanding of how projects are managed at the program and portfolio level within organizations.  The completion of just one GGU class fulfils PMI’s education requirement to apply for either the CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) or PMP (Project Management Professional) exams.