The 23 Best Online Masters in Information Technology Degree Programs 2020

If you work in the field ofinformation technology (IT), then you already know what the rest of the worldis learning: IT is the future. Every business, large and small, relies oninformation technology in order to carry on the day-to-day work of producing,recording, processing, manufacturing, and competing successfully. ITprofessionals know how to incorporate business expertise and knowledge ofinformation management systems. Simply put, to use IT in a business is to applyand manage technology in problem solving. If in the field, you also know thatan advanced degree is in demand. Job titles in the IT field that call for amasters include computer systems engineers, applications engineers, databaseadministrators, technology analysts, IT project managers, cyber securityanalysts, web developers, Java software developers, IT security analysts,computer support specialists, and network engineers/architects. Jobs in demandalso tend to pay very well. As an example, the current median salary forInformation Systems Managers, a high-demand occupation, is more than $130,000(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Employment of computer and informationsystems managers is projected to grow 15% through 2022, faster than the averagefor all occupations. Professionals already employed in the field of IT who desireto earn an advanced degree are wise to consider an online program. You will beable to fulfill all your usual obligations while meeting the requirements ofcollege classwork and thereby investing in your future. The following list ofschools offering online master's degrees in IT has been researched to help youlocate the best fit for you, and they have been ranked according to thefollowing evaluators. In the case of ties, weight is given for lower studenttuition.

• $400 and under- 5 points

• $600 and under- 4 points

• $800 and under- 3 points

• $1,200 and under- 2 points

• Above $1,201- 1 point

• Top 100- 5 points

• Top 200- 4 points

• Top 400- 3 points

• Top 600- 2 points

• Top 900- 1 point

• AACSB Accreditation (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) – 5 points

• Regional accreditation – 5 points

• Multiple Tracks – 3 points

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Central Washington University has a46 credit hour, online master's of science in information technology andadministration management degree. Students may choose from four specializationareas: administrative management; cybersecurity management; informationtechnology; and structures of data analytics for IT managers. Each specialty is20 credit hours and calls for a thesis, and each one begins with a two-credithour ITAM Boot Camp course. Other core courses in Central WashingtonUniversity's online MS-ITAM degree are global managerial communications, globalproject management, and financial analysis in IT and Administration Management.The degree may be completed in one year, with cohorts beginning in the fall.

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Northeastern University has a 36credit hour, online master of professional studies in informatics degree thatcan be completed in 1.5 to 3 years. Six concentrations are available:information security management; geographic information systems; leading andmanaging technical projects; analytics; human-centered informatics; and cloudcomputing applications and management. To ensure the real-world applicabilityof their online master of professional studies in informatics degree,Northeastern University developed a three-pronged approach: ExperientialLearning at Work; Experiential Network; and Full-time Co-op opportunities. Thelatter opportunity allows students to work in a paid position in their field ofstudy for three to six months.

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New Jersey Institute of Technologyhas an online MSIS degree that makes "bridge courses" available to incomingstudents who may have missed some segments of the IS curriculum. The programoffers a wide range of specializations: data analytics; business decisionmaking; healthcare informatics; user experience design; security and networkingmanagement; systems analysis and design; web systems; and a build-your-ownspecialization. The curriculum for New Jersey Institute of Technology's onlineMSIS degree features the following core courses: web systems development;enterprise database management; and business process innovation.

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The University of MassachusettsLowell online master of science in information technology degree allowsstudents to count courses from UMass Lowell's two graduate IT certificateprograms in Systems Models and Cybersecurity. The ten-course program focuses onvarious facets of IT, including operating systems management, large-scale applicationdevelopment, network and systems administration, and managing virtual systems.Intended participants for the University of Massachusetts Lowell's online MS inIT degree ae systems administrators, network managers, and other ITprofessionals with bachelor degrees in IT, computer science, or related majors.

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Montclair State University's 33credit hour, online master of science in information technology degree isgeared toward working professionals. For applicants with less than idealbackgrounds in computer technology, CSIT Bootcamp is offered in 8-week sessionsprior to the start of the program, with online classes in discrete mathematicsin computing, Java programming, data structure, and computer systemsprinciples. The online MS in IT degree from Montclair State University has anapplied information technology (Professional Science Master's) concentration,and the program focuses on the management and implementation of IT in order tosupport business, government, or industry in contemporary work environments.

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Oklahoma State University boasts oftheir 34 credit hour, online master of science in management informationsystems degree that is a merger of the Data Science Option and the BusinessAnalytics Option. Oklahoma State University began this program in 1998, and itnow has more than 1,000 graduates. You may opt from among other specializationssuch as marketing analytics and health analytics. Under Health Analytics, onecertificate that can be earned on your way to an online MS in MIS degree is the9-hour Health Analytics Certification program, which includes these courses:health care administration; descriptive analytics and visualization; andanalytics programming (R and Python).

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Florida International Universityoffers a 32 credit hour, online master's of science in information technologydegree with a security track. Enrollees are permitted to choose up to 20electives, and electives can be tailored toward IT and networking. Graduatesfrom this program have ended up in jobs in systems analysis and security,social media management, and web development and administration. The curriculumfor Florida International University's online MSIT degree includes thefollowing: usability analysis; management of information organization;large-scale data management; leadership and management; technology andnetworking; user-centered design; and web design.

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Carnegie Mellon University boasts anonline master's in information technology degree that has four focus areas: ITmanagement; business intelligence data analytics (BIDA); information securityand assurance; and software design and management. Some tracks have differentrequirements so you should check the website for each one. Information Securityand Assurance, for instance, calls for a successfully completed,object-oriented programming course in Java or Python, and for the BIDA focus,students must have "demonstrated ability to synthesize complex, qualitativeanalysis." Carnegie Mellon University's online MSIT degree, which may also behybrid, is delivered part-time and asynchronously.

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While in the online master ofscience in information technology degree from Kennesaw State University youwill pick among four concentrations: data analytics; IT security; healthinformation technology (HIT); and enterprise IT management. Internship andcapstone projects are available with Fortune 500 companies, as well as smallbusinesses and start-ups. The program is developed for both those withundergraduate degrees in a computing field and for those with degrees in otherdisciplines. Kennesaw State University's online MSIT degree is a 30 credit hourprogram, with 12 credit hours of core courses, including: IT design studio; ITservice delivery; and information security concepts and administration.

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George Mason University's 30-36credit hour, online master of science in information technology – cybersecurityconcentration degree is intended to train people to lead interdisciplinaryteams in all the phases required by mega-systems in private and federalsectors. Student support services include online and face-to-face counseling,as well as social and web resources. In addition to an undergraduate degree,applicants to George Mason University's online MS in AIT – Cybersecurityconcentration degree must have several years of professional experience,evidence of strong work performance, working knowledge of the IT field, andleadership roles and responsibilities.

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Applicants to Murray StateUniversity's 30 credit hour, 100% online master of science in informationsystems program may choose from two concentrations: business analytics orinformation security. By taking two courses a term, including summers, studentsmay finish in five terms. Courses fall under the STEM framework and deal with"understanding and visualizing data, implementing scientific decision making,and using predictive analytics." Core courses in Murray State University'sonline MSIS degree include software development, decision support and expertsystems, data management, telecommunications principles, enterprise resourceplanning (ERP), and a comprehensive project or a graduate internship.

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The online master's degree ininformation systems degree designed by Central Michigan University has threetracks: enterprise systems using SAP software, in which students may take BUS698 as an elective, earning TERP 10 certification; cybersecurity, for which theknowledge gained here will qualify you to sit for CASP, Security+, and Network+certifications; project management, for which you can sit for PMP exam. Eachtrack lists its own electives, though cybersecurity has one required course.The webpage for Central Michigan University's online MSIS states clearly thatstudents do not need a technology background in order to be successful in this program.

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The University of Maine has a 100%online master of science in information science degree that requires anundergraduate course in algebra as a minimum prerequisite math course.Applicants come from wide-ranging backgrounds, and you do not need a bachelordegree in IS. Featured areas of knowledge and technical skill include ISdesign, database design and management, computer networks, information law andethics, and human-computer interaction. The University of Maine provides strongtechnical support for their MS in IS degree through UMaine Online. Beforetaking any elective courses, you should get the approval of your academicadvisor for your full program of study.

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Colorado State University – FortCollins boasts more than 10,000 online students each year, and more than 300are enrolled in the online master of computer information systems program. The33 credit hour degree can be completed in 1.5 years, and up to 12 credits maybe transferred in. The curriculum particularly features IT and projectmanagement; application software infrastructure; business visual applicationdevelopment; object-oriented systems; and business intelligence. Students atColorado State University – Fort Collins's online MCIS degree have access toseveral resources, such as the CSU Career Center and the College of BusinessCareer Services Liaison.

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The online master's of science ininformation technology degree from the University of South Florida is a 30credit hour, non-thesis program. The applicant's bachelor degree should be inIT, CS, or a closely related field, and six courses are listed asprerequisites, each course title ending in the phrase "for IT"): programmingfundamentals; object-oriented programming; programming design; databasesystems; software engineering concepts; and selected topics: IT, datastructures and algorithms. A comprehensive exam is required for the Universityof South Florida's online MS in IT degree and must be taken the semester beforethe semester in which you plan to graduate.

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Missouri University of Science andTechnology offers a 30 credit hour, online master of science in informationscience and technology degree that boasts of seven specializations: human-computerinteraction; enterprise resource planning; psychology of leadership; projectmanagement; computer networks; communication systems; and e-commerce. Four ofthe specializations lead to certificates in the field. Of the curriculum's corecourses, only four are required. Missouri University of Science andTechnology's online classes for their MS in IST degree are live-streamed,easily accessible online for viewing and utilize Canvas for course managementsoftware. Collaborative learning software includes WebEx.

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The University of Arizona has a 100%online master of science in management information systems degree that is a mixof hands-on and theoretical work. Students without experience or knowledge ofobject-oriented programming should take MIS 501. Courses do not have to be takenin order, and an academic advisor will help you plan your sequence of courses.The 8-week courses are asynchronous with assignments usually given at the startof the week and completed by the end of the week. Students at the University ofArizona's MS MIS degree program typically spend an average of 10-20 hours oneach course per week.

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The online master of science ininformation technology degree from Florida State University is a 36 credit hourprogram intended to prepare students with the basic theoretical backgroundnecessary for operating effectively in professional positions. In addition,students will learn foundational principles of the field of informationtechnology. Expected outcomes are that students will develop knowledge of informationarchitecture and technology, information needs and services, generallibrarianship, as well as the ability to design an individualized program ofstudy. As stated on the department's website, a goal of Florida StateUniversity's online MSIT program is to "help people locate, use, and understandinformation."

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La Salle University's fully onlinemaster of science in information technology leadership degree consists of 8week courses delivered synchronously in a suggested pace of two courses persemester. The program is 36-45 credit hours, depending on the student'sacademic and professional background. Applicants should have a foundation ininformation science, information systems, or business administration. Thecurriculum is comprised of 9 core competency courses, two electives, and thecapstone experience. The culminating capstone project of La Salle University'sonline MSITL, taken with a cohort group of students, is the opportunity tointegrate lessons learned in core and elective courses.

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Metropolitan State University has a44 credit hour, completely online master of science in management informationscience degree with five concentrations: business analytics; databaseadministration; information management; information assurance and safety; andsystems analysis and design. This program prepares you for the world of IT inat least 17 ways listed on the website, including customer relationshipmanagement (CRM), globalization, information technology strategy, electroniccommerce, strategies for organizations, enterprise resource planning (ERP), andinternet strategy. Applicants to Metropolitan State University's online MS inMIS degree must meet these course prerequisites: college algebra and StatisticsI.

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Thomas Edison State Universityoffers an online master of science in information systems degree that, amongother outcomes, prepares graduates to show high-level comprehension ofprinciples and theories of information technology and to analyze the possibleeffects that various issues of information technology might have on society.The 36-39 credit hour program can be completed in less than two years on a part-timebasis with asynchronous delivery. Non-working professionals must take MSI-501(Foundations of Information Technology) as part of core requirements. ThomasEdison State University's online MS in IS degree program allows up to 12 credithours to be transferred in.

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Concordia University – Wisconsinpromises a Christian-based education, and students in the school's onlinemaster's in information technology program will find an emphasis on ethicalcomputing. Material is delivered in an asynchronous model, and by taking atleast three courses a semester, students may expect to complete the degree in21 months. Elective courses in Concordia University – Wisconsin's online MSITdegree include networking, data security and information assurance, and appliedartificial intelligence. You are required to take the following courses: humancomputer interaction, database and information management, an IT integrativecapstone, and foundations of information technology.

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The College of Saint Rose offers anonline master's in information technology degree that is a Professional ScienceMaster's (PSM) program. The weekend hybrid program combines online learningwith the reassurance of face-time with professors in evening and onlineclasses. A private, independent college located in Albany, New York, theCollege of Saint Rose is "a community of scholars." Significant courses in the33 credit hour program are: system administration, cloud computing andvirtualization technologies, big data, advanced database, and several coursesin cybersecurity. A certificate of advanced study is a 15 credit hour programdesigned for students who are new to the field.

OCR Staff

February 2020

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