Information Technology, MS

The Master of Science program in Information Technology is a transdisciplinary program that prepares students to be industry leaders in the public and private sectors. Students gain the technical competencies they need to design and develop information technology projects that interconnect people, process, and technology to meet the needs of stakeholders and users.

Program Description

The program emphasizes core technologies, and students select from two areas of focus: information technology security or information systems management. The Master of Science program in Information Technology may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months, which can help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S.

At a Glance

College/school: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
Location: Polytechnic or Online
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree.

Degree Requirements

30 credit hours and a portfolio, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (IFT 593)
Required Core (12 credit hours)
- IFT 510 Principles of Computer and Information Technology Architecture (3)
- IFT 520 Advanced Information Systems Security (3)
- IFT 530 Advanced Database Management Systems (3)
- IFT 540 Information Systems Development (3)
Open Electives (0 or 3 credit hours)
Focus Area Electives (15 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (0 or 3 credit hours)
- IFT 593 Applied Project (3) or
- portfolio (0)

Admission Requirements

General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in information technology, computer science, applied computing, computer engineering, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in their first bachelor's degree program or in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program.

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Attend Online

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Application Deadlines

Fall: Rolling deadline for in-person and online sessions
Spring: Rolling deadline for in-person and online sessions
Summer: Rolling deadline for online sessions

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

Integrate theories and concepts of information technology in their master applied technology research and industry careers.
Build client-centered technology solution through the synthesis of best practices and transdisciplinary research.
Conduct industry-relevant research and communicate results effectively to diverse audiences.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the information technology program, which couples technical skills with the business skills needed to manage technical functions, are well-qualified for careers in the management of IT departments. Some graduates pursue careers as technical support staff based on the focus area and secondary skills they achieve. Graduates also have the ability to manage technical professionals within their focus areas.

Program Overview