Is an MBA in Business Analytics Worth It?
Modern businesses seek objective, quantifiable information to drive business decisions. [...]
If you use a computer at school, work, or just for fun, you engage with information technology. The software you use, the hardware that drives it, the networks that allow remote users to communicate and collaborate—all of that makes up information technology.
As you might imagine, it’s big business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in information technology should grow at a 12 percent rate between 2018 and 2028, adding a whopping 546,200 new positions in the process. The median annual income for those jobs is $86,320, and that includes plenty of jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree prepares you for higher-responsibility—and higher-paying—roles.
A master’s in information technology is a solid investment in your future, assuming you have an aptitude for, and interest in, computing. You might wonder whether a master’s in computer science would be a better bet. If you’re more interested in theory, future developments in computing, and high-level programming, the answer is yes. If you’re more interested in the practical applications of computing in the here and now, though, a master’s in information technology might better suit your needs.
So, how much will you earn with a master’s in information technology? This article answers that question and a few others, including:
A master’s in information technology is a computing and technology degree focused on how businesses, organizations, and institutions use computers. The study of information technology is the study of how users exploit existing and emerging solutions to address business needs.
Some laypeople confuse information technology and computer science, but in fact, the two are quite different. Computer science explores the potential and limits of computing and develops novel approaches to problems. Its work is immersed in theory, advanced mathematics, and programming. Information technology, in contrast, is more concerned with applying the product of computer scientists’ work. It also involves purchasing and integration of software and systems, managing projects and teams, and helping end-users utilize computers to make their jobs easier and more productive.
Master’s in information technology degrees are typically offered either through a university’s business school or through its school of applied science and technology. Many degrees fit the description of “master’s in information technology,” including:
I.T. encompasses a vast spectrum of systems and applications. They include common networks most of us use every day, such as telephone and point-of-sale systems. At the other end of the spectrum are comparatively obscure, poorly understood systems like blockchain, used in cryptocurrencies and other transactions. In between lie background systems such as databases and inventory management, crucial to businesses, corporations, and government agencies. (source)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the computer and information technology job market should grow by 15 percent between 2021 and 2031, creating more than 682,000 new jobs. Earning a Master of Science in Information Technology builds skill sets in critical areas that include cloud computing, algorithms, big data, business intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, machine learning, and IT management, among others. (source)
University and Program Name | Learn More |
University of Washington:
Master of Science in Information Management
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Stevens Institute of Technology:
Master of Engineering in Engineering Management
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The University of Tennessee:
Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity
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University of Washington:
Master of Library and Information Science
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Information technology is an extensive discipline. Pretty much any intersection of computing and work—whether that work involves for-profit business, academics, nonprofit organizations, healthcare delivery, or government—falls under its umbrella. The number of concentrations available in information technology degree programs reflects the field’s broad scope. Those concentrations include:
In addition to pursuing a concentration (in most programs; some programs offer only a general degree), students in information technology master’s programs typically complete a core curriculum that includes such courses as:
Most master’s of information technology programs include a mandatory capstone experience. It could be an internship with a company or organization, a group project, a thesis, or a certification exam.
Many excellent schools offer a master’s in information technology degree. The following schools offer a traditional degree on-campus:
The following schools offer a master’s in information technology online (nearly all offer the degree on-campus as well):
Information technology covers a lot of ground. A master’s in information technology qualifies you for many different jobs, including those listed below.
Questions or feedback? Email editor@noodle.com
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Categorized as: Information Technology, Information Technology & Engineering