Information Technology Management (MS)

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The online M.S. in information technology management program represents a fully online fixed curriculum consisting of 31 credits – 10 three-credit courses and a one-credit capstone preparation course. UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout and UW-Superior will offer the program jointly. In addition to courses in key areas such as IT operations, business analysis, cloud computing, enterprise security, data science, and management of emerging technologies, the required capstone course, which represents the culminating experience in the program, will provide students with the opportunity to apply skills acquired from coursework through a project-based experience that addresses a problem, need, or concern in an IT setting. Utilizing project management and leadership tools obtained through coursework and by working directly with IT leaders in the field, the students’ hands-on project may result in an action plan or product suitable for implementation by the host organization. In addition, the courses in the IT Management program are structured into three distinct stackable graduate certificates on IT Leadership, Enterprise Infrastructure, and IT Operations. These certificates can be completed independently of each other, providing students with the flexibility to choose the path that best aligns with their career goals.

Goals of the Program

The degree addresses a recognized high-need area of IT management as supported by research and input from employers and industry representatives. Upon completion of this degree program, students will have developed advanced knowledge and skills that will enable them to serve an important function and role within the IT workforce. It is a degree targeted at adult and nontraditional students possessing a bachelor’s degree and thus broadens access for alumni and others to advanced study. The M.S. in IT management also builds upon the undergraduate experience of working adults by advancing proficiencies in communication, critical thinking, problem solving, analytical, leadership, teamwork, and collaboration skills. Furthermore, this multidisciplinary degree will serve to build bridges between disciplines and develop students’ abilities to think in terms of systems and interrelationships, and within complex organizations.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Competency A: Conduct financial analysis and develop and manage technology budgets. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: interpret and create pro forma financial statements; perform financial analysis for IT strategic planning purposes including portfolio management; develop and manage technology budgets.
2. Competency B: Lead and manage technology functions, projects and personnel. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: plan and manage technology projects; develop organizational leadership skills relevant for IT management; lead IT personnel to meet organizational needs.
3. Competency C: Demonstrate effective professional collaboration and soft skills appropriate for technology settings. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: demonstrate ability to effectively conduct crucial conversations; demonstrate ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders across the organization; demonstrate professional behavioral skills accounting for ethics, diversity and cultural sensitivity.
4. Competency D: Manage security and compliance, accounting for governance and ethical implications. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: apply ethical frameworks to analyze problems and evaluate alternative solutions; create and manage technology policies and procedures for an organization with an understanding of the regulatory environment; interpret and manage IT governance policies; design appropriate security architecture with an understanding of the technology.
5. Competency E: Investigate and plan innovative solutions for business challenges. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: evaluate the impact of emerging technologies; analyze data to address organizational challenges and create competitive advantages; analyze requirements and propose technical solutions.
6. Competency F: Engineer, develop and deploy strategies for enterprise systems. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: develop appropriate data management technologies; create and deploy enterprise solutions in support of organizational goals; plan and implement projects related to infrastructure, security, software development or data analysis.

Requirements for the Master of Information Technology Management

University Requirements for Master’s Degree Programs

To receive a master’s degree from UW-Parkside, students must meet the following minimum requirements (note that individual programs may impose more stringent requirements):

1. Complete at least 30 graduate credits, of which no more than 12 may be transferred from another institution.
2. Have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 for all graduate work taken at UW-Parkside that is applicable to the degree program.
3. Satisfy all requirements of the graduate degree program.

Students may take no more than seven years to complete a degree, beginning with the semester in which they complete their first course as a UW-Parkside degree-seeking graduate student, unless they apply for and receive an extension through the appropriate graduate program. Some programs may impose a shorter time limit. To graduate, students must file a request for graduation. The request form, signed by the student’s advisor and filed in the appropriate graduate program office, initiates the final review of the candidate’s records. Students also need to apply to graduate with the Office of the Registrar.

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university (in any discipline).
• ​3.00/4.00 undergraduate GPA.
• Prerequisite coursework of Programming I, Database I, and Data Communications/Network.