Program Overview

Program Summary

The Master of Science in Applied Information Technology (MS AIT) at George Mason University is a 100% online program that can be completed in 2 years. The program consists of 30 total credits, with a cost of $950 per credit hour.

Program Description

The MS in Applied Information Technology prepares students to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive IT strategic initiatives. The program offers three concentrations: Cyber Security, Data Analytics & Intelligence Methods, and Machine Learning Engineering. Students gain extensive knowledge of top IT fields, including Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies, Cyber Security, Machine Learning Engineering, Big Data Analytics, Intelligence Methods, and Natural Language Processing.

Concentrations

• Cyber Security Concentration: Students gain experience addressing complex security challenges through a high-quality, 100% online curriculum that leverages scholarship, academic research, and industry best practices.
• Data Analytics & Intelligence Methods Concentration: Students learn various methods to convert data into decisions in different contexts, including scarce data, big data, factual data, and probabilistic data.
• Machine Learning Engineering Concentration: Students examine data science techniques to address real-world challenges and learn how to select, adapt, optimize, and design machine learning algorithms for various applications.

Application Details

Who Should Apply

The ideal applicant will have a BS degree and several years of professional experience, demonstrating increasing leadership roles and responsibilities, and a working knowledge of information technology.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree from a US institution accredited by one of the recognized organizations
• A GPA of at least 3.00 in the 60 highest-level credits
• Experience in the fundamentals of IT and quantitative methods
• International students must have a TOEFL score of 80 points total overall (with no section minimum) for Graduate Studies and/or Research Assistantships

Application Materials

• Graduate application
• Application fee
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• One letter of recommendation
• Goals statement
• Resume

Career Opportunities

The MS in Applied Information Technology develops high-potential leaders qualified for well-paid positions with faster-than-average growth rates, such as:

• Machine Learning/AI Engineer: $130,000 – $150,000
• Cloud Security Engineer: $110,000 – $130,000
• Cybersecurity Engineer: $100,000 – $110,000
• Cybersecurity Manager: $130,000 – $145,000
• Data Scientist: $120,000 – $130,000
• Data Engineer: $110,000 – $120,000
• Data Architect: $115,000 – $125,000
• Software Developer: $115,000 – $125,000
• Business Intelligence Analyst: $100,000 – $110,000
• Computer and Information Systems Manager: $160,000 – $170,000

Courses

Core Courses — 12 Credits

• AIT 512 Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials | 3 credits
• AIT 524 Database Management Systems | 3 credits
• AIT 542 Fundamentals of Computing Platforms | 3 credits
• AIT 664 Information: Representation, Processing, and Visualization | 3 credits

Concentration Courses — 18 Credits

Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies Concentration

• AIT 536 Foundations of Applied AI | 3 credits
• ME 576 AI: Ethics, Policy, and Society | 3 credits
• AIT 580 Foundations of Data Processing | 3 credits
• AIT 612 AI Application Development | 3 credits
• Electives:
  • AIT 502 Programming Essentials | 3 credits
  • AIT 614 AI-Driven Data Essentials | 3 credits
  • AIT 626 Natural Language Processing: Theory and Practice | 3 credits

Cyber Security Concentration

• AIT 660 Cyber Security Fundamentals | 3 credits
• AIT 670 Cloud Computing Security | 3 credits
• AIT 681 Secure Software Development | 3 credits
• AIT 682 Network and Systems Security | 3 credits
• Electives:
  • AIT 502 Programming Essentials | 3 credits
  • AIT 672 Identity and Access Management | 3 credits
  • AIT 736 Applied Machine Learning | 3 credits

Data Analytics and Intelligence Methods Concentration

• AIT 580 Analytics: Foundations of Data Processing | 3 credits
• AIT 614 AI-Driven Data Essentials | 3 credits
• AIT 677 Intelligence Analysis Methods | 3 credits
• AIT 624 Knowledge Mining from Big-Data | 3 credits
• Elective Courses:
  • AIT 502 Programming Essentials | 3 credits
  • AIT 626 Natural Language Processing: Theory and Practice | 3 credits
  • AIT 736 Applied Machine Learning | 3 credits

Machine Learning Engineering Concentration

• AIT 626 Natural Language Processing: Theory and Practice | 3 credits
• AIT 614 AI-Driven Data Essentials | 3 credits
• AIT 636 Interpretable Machine Learning | 3 credits
• AIT 736 Applied Machine Learning | 3 credits
• Electives:
  • AIT 502 Programming Essentials | 3 credits
  • AIT 726 Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning | 3 credits
  • AIT 746 Applied Deep Learning | 3 credits

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Tuition is $950 per credit hour, with an additional $35 per credit hour for a Distance Learning fee.

Financial Aid

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.

Accreditation

George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The MS in Applied Information Technology (MS AIT) has been officially designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the NSA and DHS.