There are many reasons to consider a Master's of IT Management. The field of computer science and technology continue to grow at a steady pace as more organizations are needing well-trained managers to oversee the development and maintenance of technological systems at all levels. IT Managers will continue to enjoy a high rate of demand and a low rate of unemployment in a career which draws a healthy annual salary. But what is the best way to pursue a degree in IT Management? As there may be some advantages to seeking a traditional degree in the classroom, an online master's in IT Management offers many advantages to its brick-and-mortar counterpart.
Convenience and Flexibility
Pursuing an online degree in IT Management means setting coursework assignments around your professional and personal schedule as opposed to the other way around. Instead of needing to completely relocate to another city or state while leaving a position within an organization, the distance learner can study and work on projects in the comfort of her own home. One such program which delivers a 100% online Master's of Science in Management Information Systems is found at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Collat School of Business. This nationally-ranked program is bolstered by the business school's exemplary business accreditation through the AACSB. With an asynchronous course schedule, students can complete assignments at their leisure with 24-hour access to courses. Another high-performer in the field of IT Management is offered at the University of Texas-Dallas within the Naveen Jindal School of Management. The business school's 36-credit hour Master's of Science in Information Technology and Management consists of 18 credit hours of core courses, 12 elective credits, and six free elective credits. Most students of this highly-flexible program graduate between one and a half and two years.
Cost of Education
There are tremendous advantages to pursuing an online Master's degree in IT Management when considering all the extra expenses a traditional program can include. Students living on a college campus are responsible for living expenses and meal plans while commuters deal with travel expenses, vehicle maintenance, and parking fees. Online students have the incredible benefit of continuing in their established jobs and not getting saddled with peripheral expenses common to an on-campus experience. Many are familiar with the term, "time is money." This can be true of a master's degree as well. Choosing a program with an accelerated graduation rate is helpful in keeping costs down during the duration of study and helping the professional find a high-paying position in a shorter amount of time. The Master's in Management Information Systems at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management is one such program. Consisting of only 10 courses, including Fundamentals of Object-Oriented Programming, Software Design & Integration, Business Foundations of IT, Information Security Risk Management, Systems Security Management, and Enterprise Data Management, this degree can be completed in as few as 10 months.
Other Benefits
Imagine being able to learn from a seasoned staff of respected business and technology experts within one of the nation's highest ranked business schools. What if you could still find networking opportunities with business school staff, alumni, and current students? That is a reality for today's graduate students seeking online degrees within IT Management. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University touts the College of Engineering and the Pamplin College of Business which have combined to offer a Master's of Information Technology. This 100% online program is delivered by the business school's world-renowned faculty ad has recently been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the second-best Information Technology program in the nation. Other recognitions for the business school's quality of education include nods from the National Security Agency and CyberDegrees.org.
These are just a few of the advantages that a student can count on while seeking a Master's of IT Management through an online experience. As programs can differ in their amenities, it is always important to research the features business schools advertise. A career as an IT Manager can be a rewarding and lucrative one, and it only makes sense that some of the very best programs available in the nation are delivered online.