Information Technology Management (MS)

The Master of Science in Information Technology Management program is designed for business professionals who want to advance their careers in positions such as Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and IT Manager.

Classes are taught by professionals who also work in the field at major companies in the Bay Area. A dynamic classroom environment helps to teach real-world skills for the strategic application of IT — including cutting-edge applications of technologies such as business analytics, mobile, cloud services, and social media.

Thrive in a Changing Tech Environment

Contemporary Information Technology (IT) managers are organizational leaders who bridge and integrate the worlds of business and IT. They engage business leaders in the ongoing and innovative application of information technologies that enable business success and have the skill sets to function in a complex discipline with many facets.

Build High-Level Skills

• The Master of Science in Information Technology Management (MS ITM) program was designed by faculty with experience in leading-edge technologies to develop professionals suited for the top positions in the IT management field. The degree meets the needs of the modern management-level technology professional responsible for the planning, budgeting, design, integration, and deployment of strategic enterprise technologies and programs that contribute to the business organization’s success.

International Students Welcome

• International students are also eligible for up to $2,000 through the GGU International Welcome Scholarship. Students in the MS IT Management Cohort program will have access to job search support for Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment. GGU conducts weekly career seminars (but does not guarantee job placement).

Admission Requirements

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a recognized foreign institution (outside the United State), and provide official transcripts.
• All applicants will need to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and a resume.
• For applicants with a GPA under 3.0, the Statement of Purpose should address the circumstances that led to the applicant’s academic performance, what has changed, and why they think they’ll be more successful now.
• Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirements.

Curriculum

• Students considered for admission to this program will have a minimum of 30 undergraduate credits in IT courses, or three years of substantial full time work experience in an IT department. A business/engineering manager with four years of experience whose job requires significant interaction with IT may also be considered.
• The Master of Science in IT management requires completion of 33 units in the graduate program, including: 3 units for the foundation course, 18 units of core courses, 9 units of elective courses, and 3 units for the capstone course. Foundation program courses may be waived in accordance with university policy regarding course waivers. To facilitate scheduling, students may be admitted to advanced program courses before completion of the foundation program, but must complete the foundation courses by the time that nine units have been earned in the advanced program.
• The MS ITM curriculum is grounded in the four foundational components of IT: 1) software, 2) infrastructure, 3) network/communications, and 4) data. The program addresses these foundations from both a contemporary and forward-looking perspective. Instructors with current field experience at some of the Bay Area’s top companies present courses that address the strategic application of the foundation while integrating emerging technologies, e.g. unstructured data analytics, cloud services, virtualization, mobile platforms, and social media. This program is a STEM-designated degree program.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Information Technology Management program will be able to:

• Explain the framework of the IT discipline, identifying both foundational and support organizations.
• Participate in management level discussions that cross IT departmental lines.
• Identify issues associated with each of the functional areas of IT and offer solutions.
• Engage in planning and budgeting processes for each of the foundational components of IT.
• Use their knowledge of IT organizations to break down barriers existing between IT silos in their work environment.
• Engage their business community in meaningful dialogue regarding possible solutions to IT/business problems.
• Integrate new and emerging technologies into each of the foundational components of IT.
• Describe the processes of digital transformation and business re-engineering.
• Explain modern software engineering approaches for minimum viable product, CI/CD, self-scaling and site reliability engineering.
• Demonstrate ability lead and govern the routine operational management functions of IT including tools for PMP, ITIL, SLA monitoring, compliance audit, risk, and security management.