2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
    Oct 05, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Information Technology, MSIT


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Master of Science in Information Technology Overview


Information Technology continues to be a rapidly growing industry and its effective use helps create business and social value for all types of enterprises. The ongoing integration of IT with the business and the rapid evolution of the technology itself places a premium on IT leaders who have a pragmatic understanding of how the application of technology can move the enterprise forward, can effectively communicate their vision and then lead its successful execution. Clark University’s Master of Science in Information Technology is designed to provide these skills to our students.

Our curriculum is comprised of four required courses which provide a solid understanding of key Information Technology domains and business skills. Students have the opportunity to choose six electives and may elect to concentrate on areas like Cyber Security, Business Intelligence and IT Leadership. Regardless of the path chosen, we provide ample class time to foster leadership skills like collaboration, negotiation, and effective communication techniques that senior executives look for in the next generation of IT leadership. We place a strong emphasis on experiential learning via Capstone and project-based classroom engagement.  An increasing portfolio of our courses are also available online to insure our students have as much flexibility as possible in managing their schedules.

Our student body is comprised of working professionals and full-time students from around the world. Our instructors are industry practitioners with years of experience in companies of all sizes in many of today’s leading industries. This insures your classes balance an understanding of the current industry technology trends and how best to implement them in an enterprise, regardless of whether it’s a multinational organization with a diverse set of employees or a start-up using technology to accelerate entry into a new market.

The School of Professional Studies offers Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) credit for up to two (2) graduate courses.  APL credit is awarded for demonstrated learning and experience that satisfy specific Clark course outcomes. Admitted SPS graduate students interested in APL should review the APL policy and process and consult with their academic advisor before the end of their first term in the program.  An APL application requires a student portfolio with documentation/artifacts as evidence to demonstrate their proficiency in the subject matter.  There is an administrative fee associated with the APL process. 

Internship


Completion of an approved non-credit internship is required. Exceptions are available for those who qualify.  Please refer to our academic policies and visit a member of our Experiential Learning team for more information.

Course of Study


This is a 10 course curriculum consisting of the following required and elective courses, including concentrations.

Required Core Courses:

MSIT Concentrations


MSIT concentrations (three electives from a chosen area of concentration)  **Special Topic and other relative courses must be approved by your advisor to fulfill concentration requirements.

To declare a concentration, consult with your academic advisor.

Cyber Security Concentration (Choose 3)


Students who complete this concentration will be prepared to work as IT professionals analyzing and implementing security systems. Students will develop knowledge in risk mitigation, enterprise security, and systems audits. This concentration offers students the opportunity to develop risk management and information assurance skills necessary for a career in cyber security. A Clark MSIT student with a concentration in cyber security will have the knowledge base to protect and design information infrastructures; develop, implement, evaluate, and update cyber security polices and practices; and manage information continuity, asset classification and control, compliance, and the secure administration of IT infrastructure.

IT Leadership Concentration (Choose 3)


Students who complete this concentration will have the knowledge and skills to lead IT professionals and the IT efforts in an organization. Coursework includes developing IT knowledge as well as the capacity to understand leadership of professionals. A Clark MSIT student who completes this concentration will have the competency to develop IT strategy, posses project management excellence, an ability to manage business relationships, optimize operational performance, and have a well-developed understanding of IT sourcing, contracts, and negotiation.

Six Electives:


Students may select any course as an elective. Students pursing a concentration must complete courses as outlined in the concentrations listed above and the required number of electives to complete 10 unique courses for the MSIT. 

MSIT Electives:

Learning Outcomes


The Master of Science in Information Technology is designed to equip students with advanced skills and knowledge in the planning, design, implementation, testing and evaluation, deployment, maintenance, and management of applications and systems. Specific areas of study include Cyber Security, IT Architectures and Data Management. These skills form necessary foundations for solving practical problems that arise in business, industrial, governmental, and other organizations, as well as for pursuing doctoral studies in information technologies. We are confident that our degree and its concentrations will provide graduates with the skills necessary to work as professionals and take on leadership roles in their organizations. This program offers students the opportunity to develop operational competencies in 5 foundations: 

  1. Organizational Systems - to understand the organizational role played by modern information architecture. MSIT 3100 - Contemporary Issues in IT  

  2. Ethics and Social Responsibility - to apply values and ethics within the public service and non-profit sectors MPA 3320 - Ethics and Professional Life  

  3. Workplace Dynamics, Communication, and Career Management - to lead, manage and engage others in an organization MSC 3300 - Professional Communication Seminar  

  4. Applied Research - to analyze information for effective and efficient decision-making MPA 3900 - Research Methods and Strategies   and MSIT 3999 - Capstone Practicum  

  5. Theoretical Grounding - the study of a business problem domain to recommend improvements MSIT 3050 - Information Systems Analysis and Design  

More detailed information about the Core Competencies and Learning Outcomes can be found on the MSIT webpage.

 

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