Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) Degree with a Specialization in
IT Project Management

AIU offers an industry-current MSIT program with a specialization in IT Project Management for students interested in learning the skills needed to manage information systems and information-technology projects in organizations.

The important areas covered include project management, strategic information systems management, enterprise network infrastructure and information-systems building blocks. Students will understand the broad range of projects that an IT professional could expect to undertake and gain experience in the best practices and industry expectations common to IT work in the real world.

This one-year master’s program is designed to help students get the in-depth, industry-current business knowledge they want—compressing their studies into a shorter timeframe, but still providing the knowledge and credentials they're looking for to move forward professionally.

By studying advanced topics in IT Project Management to complete the specialization requirements, you have an opportunity to acquire industry-current knowledge and skills specific to the area of managing information systems and information technology projects in organizations.

We can help you learn how to:

• Use project-management methodologies to plan and manage information technology projects.
• Apply management principles to plan and manage information-technology infrastructure and software portfolio.
• Utilize quantitative and qualitative risk-management techniques to identify and manage the project constraints that include cost, time, risks and quality.
• Conduct requirements and needs analysis for software, hardware and infrastructure projects.
• Employ formal techniques and methodologies to plan, procure, and manage project human and material resources for the project.
• Understand and master the technical vocabulary, current industry best practices and general knowledge necessary for success as an IT project manager.
• Analyze existing IT projects from real-world situations to gain experience in solving contemporary industry problems.
• Develop solutions and procedures for the variety of challenges and tasks included in any current IT project.
• Work as a team to collaborate on strategies, plans and solutions for IT projects.
• Communicate ideas using the proper professional conduct and verbiage.
• Develop the mindset of an IT project manager, growing leadership and communication skills as well as technical know-how.

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In this specialized curriculum, you can acquire a solid foundation in key leadership competencies. You’ll have an opportunity to develop and review typical management deliverables that illustrate the ability of the project manager to control the success of projects, and you can learn to use computer applications as a tool for project management.

At AIU, you can take more courses devoted to your field of interest, on average, than at other similar schools. For a Master of Information Technology with a specialization in Information Assurance and Security, your classes can include:

Principles of IT Project Management

The course provides an overview of the roles, responsibilities, and management methods of the technology project manager. The course assumes no prior knowledge in management techniques and is intended to teach students how to develop approaches and styles of management for software projects.

Leadership, Management, and Communication of Technical Projects

This is an interactive course designed to provide a solid foundation in key leadership competencies and to afford students the opportunity for a truly transformational leadership experience. Several team building, motivation, and human resources development techniques are also covered.

IT Project Quality Management

This course combines project management with quality management by guiding you from Initiation to Closure with the use of cost control. You will develop and review typical management deliverables that illustrate the ability of the Project Manager to control the success of projects. In addition, you will use computer applications as a tool for project management.

Risk Management and Project Cost Control

This course covers factors that contribute to project failures and risk management. Risk identification techniques such as quantitative and qualitative approaches are covered. Expected Monetary Value (EMV), Earned Value Management (EVM), Pareto Analysis, and contingency plans are also covered.

Principles of Information Systems

In this course students examine management skills as they relate to the information technology industry, taking into account the relationship between networking, databases, and programming.

Object-Oriented Applications

During this course students analyze and apply the fundamentals of object-oriented application development.

Database System Design and Implementation

In this course students will focus on the design and implementation of a relational database management system, including concepts such as data extraction and data manipulation.

Enterprise Networks

In this course students examine computer networking concepts, which enable them to translate business objectives into a physical network design. Students will be expected to collect and analyze appropriate information to make context-appropriate, network-related, business decisions.

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Total tuition for this degree program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.

Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date.

What could you do with a degree in IT Project Management?

Like standard project managers, those working in an IT-specific role help plan and execute major changes to a company's information system. This may include upgrades and installation of new technology, as well as smaller ongoing maintenance projects.

Industries That Use IT Project Managers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of the jobs in IT project management are clustered in these five industries:

●     Computer systems design and related services

●     Finance and insurance

●     Information

●     Management of companies and enterprises

●     Manufacturing¹

Key Skills for IT Project Managers

Managing IT projects requires both technical knowledge and the ability to motivate and manage team members—not to mention the business and industry knowledge that helps anticipate challenges. Top desired skills often include:

●     Knowledge of prominent technical platforms and methodologies

●     Strategic thinking

●     Business savvy

●     Risk assessment

●     Resource management

●     Familiarity with the industry

●     Communication skills

●     Leadership and team-management skills

Earning a master’s in IT Project Management demonstrates that you have a passion for the subject, knowledge of both the academic theory and current practices, and experience in the field. And the investment can prove advantageous: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people who have a master's degree earn 18% more per week than those with a bachelor's degree.²

1: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Computer and Information Systems Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm (visited July 29, 2016).

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