Master of Science in Information Technology - Frederick - MD - Maryland - Hood College - I1135

Originally designed at the request of the region’s high-technology community, the Master of Science in Information Technology is a 30 to 43 credit program of study designed to provide career preparation and professional development for individuals with varying backgrounds. The program is open to applicants who meet the admission requiremnents for the Graduate School. Since many students in the program are employed, classes are offered in the evening or Saturday.

While students receive an extensive grounding in theoretical and conceptual knowledge, there are many opportunities to apply theory. The program is problem-solving and applications oriented.

The Master of Science in Information Technology is intended for:

• Persons having bachelor’s degrees in computer science, information technology, or closely related fields who may be able to enter the program at an advanced level
• Persons already employed in applied computing or data processing who are seeking aditional academic background as part of a career and professional growth program
• Persons having a bachelor’s degree in disciplines other than computer who are seeking preparation for careers in this field.

A student entering the program is assigned a faculty adviser who will assist the student in selecting the appropriate concentration based on the student’s interests and career goals. The adviser will also help the student plan a flexible and efficient program of study to fulfill degree requirements within the chosen concentration.

Graduates of our program have been very successful in pursuing employment and further study. They are well positioned for advancement and success in their careers. Graduates work in technical and managerial positions at organizations such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Program Resources, Inc., Tracor, Inc., IBM, GTE Government Systems, Bechtel Corporation, and others.
Requirements for the degree
The program may be completed in 30 to 36 credit hours, depending on the student’s undergraduate academic background. All students must exempt or complete a common 6-credit foundation.

A minimum grade of B- must be earned in a foundation course before it can be used as a prerequisite for another course. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be obtained in courses beyond the foundation courses, as well as overall. In addition, a minimum grade of B- must be earned in each course beyond the foundation requirements.

In addition to the Core Requirements, students must complete 12 to 15 credits of upper-level elective work, chosen with the approval of the faculty advisor. Generally, the remaining courses used to complete the student’s program of study can be selected from courses designated as computer science electives or courses designated as information technology electives.