Information Technology, M.S.

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Valparaiso University’s Master’s in IT is a professional master’s degree, with curriculum that reflects professional practice and career needs. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, this degree focuses on meeting the challenges of a rapidly evolving field, fostering technical excellence, communication, and a readiness to lead. To prepare students for the multifaceted roles that accompany leadership, the program includes analytic and policy courses, as well as interdisciplinary courses in areas of digital media, communication, and management.

All students complete a capstone experience that includes a preparatory course and a professional development course, or a research project, or a 300-hour internship.

Admission

To be admitted, applicants must meet all graduate admission requirements (see here ). Students may be eligible for admission to this program as an Early Entry student. See here for more information.

Curriculum

Students take the required classes, elective classes, and the capstone experience.

Sequencing of Coursework

Students should take IT 502 , and IT 510 during their first semester of enrollment, as well as GRD 500 and ENGL 608 if they are new international students. The Capstone Experience should be taken after at least the first semester of study.

Substitutions of Required Classes

Up to 6 credits can be substituted based on prior coursework or work experiences. Additionally, IT 502 can be substituted based on demonstrated competence. The decision to substitute is made by the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on the recommendation of the program director.

Coordination with IT Certificates

Credits applied to the Master of Science in IT degree can also apply to IT Certificates. The certificates must be applied for separately. Graduate academic policies apply to each program.

Program Requirements

IT Core Requirements: 18 Cr.

IT 502 - Introduction to Programming Credits: 3
IT 510 - Introduction to Information Technology Credits: 3
IT 600 - Ethics in Information Technology Credits: 3
IT 603 - Information Management Credits: 3
IT 533 - Data Mining and Applications Credits: 3
IT 604 - Project Management Credits: 3

IT-Computing Track Electives: 15 Cr.

Fifteen Credits From The Following Options:

Additional graduate courses may be approved by the student’s advisor from IT, Cybersecurity, or Computer Science.

IT 535 - Networking Credits: 3
IT 540 - Web Programming Credits: 3
IT 558 - Software Design and Development Credits: 4
IT 560 - Mobile Computing Credits: 3
IT 564 - Natural Language Technologies Credits: 3
IT 590 - Topics in Information Technology Credits: 1 (as approved, 1-3 credits)
IT 630 - User Interface Credits: 3
IT 632 - Instructional Design in Information, Technology Credits: 3
IT 640 - System Integration & Administration Credits: 3
IT 642 - Information Assurance & Security Credits: 3
IT 644 - Technology, Law, and Policy Credits: 3
IT 646 - Hacking Techniques and Countermeasures Credits: 3
IT 648 - Risk Management Credits: 3
IT 652 - Integrative Programming Technologies Credits: 3
IT 654 - Internet and Web Technologies Credits: 3
IT 795 - Independent Study Credits: 1 (1-3 credits)
CS 545 - Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3
CS 565 - Interactive Computer Graphics Credits: 3
CVA 500 - Graduate Digital Media Credits: 3
CVA 512 - Leadership Communication Credits: 3
CVA 572 - Intellectual Property & Communicatn Law Credits: 3
CVA 601 - Social Media Credits: 3
ENGL 608 - Professional Writing and Research Credits: 3

IT Capstone Experience: 4 Cr.

GRD 683 - Professional and Career Development Credits: 0

One Of The Following Options:

IT 670 - Professional Development Credits: 3
IT 686 - Internship Credits: 1 (1-3 credits)
IT 792 - Research Project Credits: 1 (1-3 credits)
IT 798 - Thesis Proposal and Preparation Credits: 3 AND
IT 799 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 3

Notes:

GRD 500 Graduate Academic Success is required for all new international graduate students in their first semester of enrollment. Additionally, ENGL 608 - Professional Writing and Research (3 Cr.) is required for all international students, which will count toward elective credits.

No more than 9 credits of elective classes outside of IT, CYB, and CS classes can apply toward the degree.

GRD 683 Career and Professional Development (1 Cr.) may be waived and other elective credits substituted with the approval of the Program Director. Ordinarily the student must show evidence of professional employment experience.

Completion of a thesis requires an additional three credits beyond the required 37 credits, for a total of 40 credits. Thesis completion requires adherence to the guidelines outlined in the Thesis Manual, available on the Graduate Office academic forms website.

Completion of an internship requires 300 hours of supervised experience in accordance with the graduate academic policies. Forms are available on the Graduate Office website.