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 , IT 510 , and IT 600 during their first semester of enrollment. 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 Electives: 15 Cr.

Fifteen Credits From The Following Options:

Additional graduate courses may be approved by the IT program director. Typically these will be CS, CYB, or DATA classes.

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: 3 Cr.

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:

No more than 9 credits of elective classes outside of IT, CS, CYB and DATA classes can apply toward the degree, unless approved by the Program Director

Completion of a thesis requires an additional three credits beyond the required 36 credits, for a total of 39 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.

Students who have little experience with English as an instructional language should consider attending ENGL 608 among their electives