Online masters degree information technology programs aid in your knowledge in becoming more become competitive in today's IT management careers. If you aspire to be a senior software engineer, team lead, MIS manager or project manager, a master of science degree in IT will give you the skills you need to manage people effectively, as well as study advanced technical content, like enterprise-level software design, database design and implementation or strategic information management. A master of science in information technology combines business and personnel management with technology-related skill sets to help you get ahead in your existing technology career or begin a new career in Information Technology (IT).
A masters degree in information technology is primarily designed for working professionals within the technology field who want to advance their careers. Potential IT managers should be good communicators, problem solvers and leaders. If your interest is continuing education in a technology discipline, you may be better suited to certificate programs within a specific technology concentration. While a master of science information technology degree does include some technical coursework, much of the course curricula is based on management and business; not technical aspect of technology.
A master in science information technology focus combines core management principals and education with advanced information technology training. Because a master degree in technology combines technology with business education, campus as well as online schools and colleges offer it as a joint program between technology departments and business administration and management schools. Coursework is a blend of management-style courses and technology-related courses.
Management courses might include principals of project management, quality management for IT projects and technical project leadership, management and communication. Technology-related courses provide continuing education in technical subjects, like enterprise network design, database design and implementation and strategic information management. You may choose a concentration in IT project management, business intelligence or other IT discipline.
In addition to the general masters degree in information technology, other masters online IT degrees provide specific focus in technology with a strong management core foundation. IT master degree online programs such as Master of Network and Communications Management, Master of Information Systems Management focus on a specific area within the technology industry, and provide a strong management core in addition to a high-level education in related technology.
The goal for most professionals who pursue online technology degrees is to move into a management or leadership career within the industry. You may use the master degree in technology to move into a senior-level role such as senior software engineer, senior database administrator, computer software engineer, network systems and data communications analyst, senior IT specialist or senior Web developer. Alternately, you may go into management roles, such as team lead, director of operations, system and programming manager, information system director, MIS manager or project manager.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data shows that in 2008, median wages for network and computer system administrators was $66,310. Computer and information systems managers had a median wage of $113,720 as of 2009. A management-level career in IT can lead to a significant jump in income; nearly double that of non-management employees in the technology industry. Management-level technology careers had a median income of $112,210 in 2009.
Return to the top of Online Masters Degree Information Technology