Master of Science in Information Technology Management
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Download the degree guide for details on admission requirements, tuition, and courses.
Where IT Meets Business
What does it mean to earn your Master of Science in Information Technology Management? It means that you’ll have the skills IT teams need—communication, leadership, business analysis, project management, and finance. While those skills might not be considered “technical,” they’re absolutely critical to the success of information technology across industries.
As a student, you’ll also take courses in areas such as data science, enterprise security, and cloud computing. Combined, this multidisciplinary curriculum will help you align IT with business strategy, giving you the confidence to lead people, processes, and technology.
Who is This Degree Intended For?
Even though our students have diverse backgrounds—from business analysts and project managers, to developers and systems engineers— they all share a common interest: IT leadership. Students of the online UW IT Management Master’s degree program are motivated to advance their careers, impact the future of technology for their organizations, and become effective leaders.
Do you have a technical background but want to expand your business knowledge? Do you have a business background but want to feel more confident leading an IT team? Whether your experience is technology-focused or based in business, you’ll find that this master’s curriculum focuses on the evolving relationship between information technology and business strategy, positioning graduates for success in roles such as IT director, IT project manager, tech leadership positions like senior developer and senior software engineer, and even CTO or CIO.
*If you have the official PMP or CBAP certification and are currently practicing in the field, you may be eligible to receive course credit. You must discuss your eligibility and receive approval from the Academic Advisor at your chosen home campus.
A Collaboration Among University of Wisconsin Campuses
The online UW Master of Science in Information Technology Management is a collaboration among five UW campuses: UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior. This partnership gives students access to the best talent and resources of the UW System. Students will learn from esteemed faculty from these UW campuses, each contributing diverse expertise from fields including information systems, business administration, communications, and computing.
Recognized and Accredited
As an online student, you will earn the same recognized and respected University of Wisconsin degree as on-campus students. The University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Information Technology Management is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accrediting body.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA
- Completed coursework with a “C” or better—or demonstrated sufficient knowledge—in programming (object oriented, modern language), database, and computer networking. Program academic directors have the option to waive a prerequisite based, in part, on student work experience and background. Technical certifications such as Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, AWS, Cisco, or professional experience may be used in lieu of formal coursework to demonstrate proficiency at the discretion of the academic adviser at the student’s home campus. If you need to complete prerequisite coursework, this pre-approved list of options may assist you. Please contact an enrollment adviser for details.
- Your resume
- Two letters of recommendation (can be professional or academic)
- Up to 1,000 word statement of personal intent describing your decision to pursue the degree and what you believe you will bring to the information technology management field
- No aptitude test (GRE, GMAT) requirements
*Campuses may waive some of these requirements as part of the comprehensive application process.
Application Deadlines
Application materials must be completed two weeks prior to the start of the semester to be considered for admission.
Starting your application early will help ensure you have plenty of time to gather required materials (such as transcripts), transfer credits, apply for financial aid, and complete the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application.
Due to COVID-19, many institutions have transitioned to remote operations. When ordering transcripts, it is recommended to order e-transcripts only, as physical (mailed) copies may not be available in a timely manner.
Find program start dates and registration dates on our important dates page. To see course offerings by semester, see the Course Schedule.
How to Apply
Step 1: Decide which home campus you’d like to apply to. Campus partners for the Information Technology Management master’s program include UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior.
Step 2: Visit the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Login or create an account, apply to the home campus of your choice, and select “Information Technology Management-Collaborative” as the program. Note; this program may be listed as “Info Technology Management.” A nonrefundable $56 application fee is required for most graduate degree-seeking students applying to a UW System institution.
Step 3: Send your resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation; and arrange to have your official college transcripts (from each institution you attended) sent to the graduate student admissions office of the home campus to which you applied.
International Guidelines
This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the U.S. but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the U.S., you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation contact your preferred home campus admissions office.
If you would like to apply as an International Student for an on-campus program in the UW System please refer to these resources through UW-HELP.
Questions?
While you are free to apply on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first. Our staff is here to answer your questions, talk with you about your career goals, and help you decide if this program is a good choice for you.
Information Technology Management Master’s Curriculum
The UW Master of Science in Information Technology Management offers 100% online courses. All course content, from multimedia lectures and e-learning tools to homework assignments, are delivered through the program’s online learning management system. You can study and do homework whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you.
Students are required to take 13 courses, which includes 11 three-credit courses, a one-credit pre-capstone course, and a final three-credit capstone, for a total of 37 credits to graduate. Only your campus adviser can determine how previous coursework or work experience might satisfy UW Information Technology Management requirements.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Develop communication skills for IT professionals. Deliver effective presentations, conduct crucial conversations with stakeholders. Develop verbal and nonverbal communication skills emphasizing cultural sensitivity, diversity, and ethics. Conduct relevant research and critically evaluate information to make informed evidence-based decisions. | 3 Credits |
Gain an understanding of the differences between and application of management and leadership theories in an IT environment. Utilize an array of assessment activities to identify and understand one’s own personal assets and liabilities to become an effective leader and agent of change in a complex adaptive system. | 3 Credits |
Frame financial decisions within general and project accounting principles. Topics include: pro forma financial statements, time value of money, cash flows and equivalence, depreciation, net present value, rate of return, and ratio analysis. Prepare budgets that prioritize projects within constraints, address uncertainty and intangibles, and integrate with project scheduling. Note: It’s recommended students take this course in the first two semesters, as it is a prerequisite for mid-level courses. | 3 Credits |
Examine key data science concepts, methods, and processes. Address issues for developing, managing and supporting data-driven decision-making in the organization. Gain knowledge and tools for incorporating data science into IT project workflows. Topics include, but are not limited to, data analytics, data warehousing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. | 3 Credits |
Leverage cloud services to streamline computing resources, deploy enterprise applications, improve user access and system reliability, and utilize advanced computing capabilities. Foundation concepts include: virtualization, multi-tenant architecture, and software defined networking. Examine the full range of services available to organizations along with deployment strategies, evaluation criteria, economic justification, and manageability. Prerequisite: ITM 710: Finance for IT Managers | 3 Credits |
Explore technical, administrative, and physical aspects of IT security. Investigate various threats within IT and fraud. Apply information classification to the design of information, network and physical security. Evaluate the business processes of risk, business continuity, audit, and the risk within software development. Topics covered include cybersecurity, disaster recovery, data privacy, architecture and policy, and risk management. Prerequisite: ITM 700: Communications for IT Professionals | 3 Credits |
Examine project management concepts as applied to IT projects; including traditional PMBOK techniques such as project identification, selection, procurement, and cost/schedule preparation and monitoring. Introduce agile IT project management concepts including Scrum and Extreme Programming. Students will be required to apply these concepts to group projects. Prerequisites: ITM 700: Communications for IT Professionals and ITM 710: Finance for IT Managers | 3 Credits |
Focus on the importance, role, and techniques of the business analysis function in the modern IT organization. Course content is organized around the six knowledge areas and associated techniques of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) specified by the International Institute of Business Analysis. Prerequisite: ITM 710: Finance for IT Managers Note: It’s recommended students take this course within the first four semesters, as it is a prerequisite for upper-level courses. | 3 Credits |
Explore best practices and techniques for ensuring the smooth functioning of the IT infrastructure and operational environments to support development and deployment of applications and services within the organization. Coverage includes network infrastructure; servers and devices; computer operations; service management; facilities; help desk services, DevOps, and process automation. Prerequisite: ITM 735: Business Analysis and System Development | 3 Credits |
Examine best practices in IT governance to achieve regulatory compliance, optimize use of available resources, ensure trustworthiness of enterprise information, and support business strategies and objectives. Topics include: strategic alignment, IT service and control frameworks, portfolio management, IT risk management, and ethical issues in IT governance. Prerequisites: ITM 705: Leading the IT Function and ITM 735: Business Analysis and System Development | 3 Credits |
Research, identify and evaluate significant new trends, technologies and events influencing the global environment of information technology and systems. Evaluate future and disruptive technologies, strategies for successful implementation of innovative technologies, critical thinking, and ethics pertaining to its use. Prerequisite: ITM 740: IT Operations | 3 Credits |
Select a capstone project, create a plan, define deliverables, secure approval and complete setup of their development environment. Review concepts necessary for completion of the capstone including Agile project management, systems analysis and communicating with technical and non-technical audiences. Additional topics may be included. Prerequisite: ITM 730: Agile and Traditional IT Project Management | 1 Credits |
Complete the projects approved in the Capstone Preparation course. This course includes the management, development and delivery of an information technology project to a client or employer, including regular communication of status to both technical and non-technical audiences. Prerequisites: ITM 735: Business Analysis and System Development and ITM 754: Capstone Preparation | 3 Credits |
Course availability for the Master of Science in Information Technology Management varies each fall, spring, and summer. Course offerings are subject to change due to fluctuating enrollment. If you are a current student, please consult with your campus adviser prior to registration.
If the current semester is open for enrollment, admitted students may request permission numbers.
Spring 2023
Course Preview Week: January 17 - January 23, 2023
Semester Dates: January 24 - May 05, 2023
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Gain an understanding of the differences between and application of management and leadership theories in an IT environment. Utilize an array of assessment activities to identify and understand one’s own personal assets and liabilities to become an effective leader and agent of change in a complex adaptive system. | 3 Credits |
Leverage cloud services to streamline computing resources, deploy enterprise applications, improve user access and system reliability, and utilize advanced computing capabilities. Foundation concepts include: virtualization, multi-tenant architecture, and software defined networking. Examine the full range of services available to organizations along with deployment strategies, evaluation criteria, economic justification, and manageability. Prerequisite: ITM 710: Finance for IT Managers | 3 Credits |
Examine project management concepts as applied to IT projects; including traditional PMBOK techniques such as project identification, selection, procurement, and cost/schedule preparation and monitoring. Introduce agile IT project management concepts including Scrum and Extreme Programming. Students will be required to apply these concepts to group projects. Prerequisites: ITM 700: Communications for IT Professionals and ITM 710: Finance for IT Managers | 3 Credits |
Examine best practices in IT governance to achieve regulatory compliance, optimize use of available resources, ensure trustworthiness of enterprise information, and support business strategies and objectives. Topics include: strategic alignment, IT service and control frameworks, portfolio management, IT risk management, and ethical issues in IT governance. Prerequisites: ITM 705: Leading the IT Function and ITM 735: Business Analysis and System Development | 3 Credits |
Select a capstone project, create a plan, define deliverables, secure approval and complete setup of their development environment. Review concepts necessary for completion of the capstone including Agile project management, systems analysis and communicating with technical and non-technical audiences. Additional topics may be included. Prerequisite: ITM 730: Agile and Traditional IT Project Management | 1 Credits |
Complete the projects approved in the Capstone Preparation course. This course includes the management, development and delivery of an information technology project to a client or employer, including regular communication of status to both technical and non-technical audiences. Prerequisites: ITM 735: Business Analysis and System Development and ITM 754: Capstone Preparation | 3 Credits |
Summer 2023
Request Permission NumberCourse Preview Week: May 23 - May 29, 2023
Semester Dates: May 30 - August 11, 2023
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Examine key data science concepts, methods, and processes. Address issues for developing, managing and supporting data-driven decision-making in the organization. Gain knowledge and tools for incorporating data science into IT project workflows. Topics include, but are not limited to, data analytics, data warehousing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. | 3 Credits |
Explore technical, administrative, and physical aspects of IT security. Investigate various threats within IT and fraud. Apply information classification to the design of information, network and physical security. Evaluate the business processes of risk, business continuity, audit, and the risk within software development. Topics covered include cybersecurity, disaster recovery, data privacy, architecture and policy, and risk management. Prerequisite: ITM 700: Communications for IT Professionals | 3 Credits |
Research, identify and evaluate significant new trends, technologies and events influencing the global environment of information technology and systems. Evaluate future and disruptive technologies, strategies for successful implementation of innovative technologies, critical thinking, and ethics pertaining to its use. Prerequisite: ITM 740: IT Operations | 3 Credits |
Select a capstone project, create a plan, define deliverables, secure approval and complete setup of their development environment. Review concepts necessary for completion of the capstone including Agile project management, systems analysis and communicating with technical and non-technical audiences. Additional topics may be included. Prerequisite: ITM 730: Agile and Traditional IT Project Management | 1 Credits |
Complete the projects approved in the Capstone Preparation course. This course includes the management, development and delivery of an information technology project to a client or employer, including regular communication of status to both technical and non-technical audiences. Prerequisites: ITM 735: Business Analysis and System Development and ITM 754: Capstone Preparation | 3 Credits |
Fall 2023
Registration Opens: April 10, 2023
Course Preview Week: August 29 - September 04, 2023
Semester Dates: September 05 - December 15, 2023
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Develop communication skills for IT professionals. Deliver effective presentations, conduct crucial conversations with stakeholders. Develop verbal and nonverbal communication skills emphasizing cultural sensitivity, diversity, and ethics. Conduct relevant research and critically evaluate information to make informed evidence-based decisions. | 3 Credits |
Frame financial decisions within general and project accounting principles. Topics include: pro forma financial statements, time value of money, cash flows and equivalence, depreciation, net present value, rate of return, and ratio analysis. Prepare budgets that prioritize projects within constraints, address uncertainty and intangibles, and integrate with project scheduling. Note: It’s recommended students take this course in the first two semesters, as it is a prerequisite for mid-level courses. | 3 Credits |
Focus on the importance, role, and techniques of the business analysis function in the modern IT organization. Course content is organized around the six knowledge areas and associated techniques of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) specified by the International Institute of Business Analysis. Prerequisite: ITM 710: Finance for IT Managers Note: It’s recommended students take this course within the first four semesters, as it is a prerequisite for upper-level courses. | 3 Credits |
Explore best practices and techniques for ensuring the smooth functioning of the IT infrastructure and operational environments to support development and deployment of applications and services within the organization. Coverage includes network infrastructure; servers and devices; computer operations; service management; facilities; help desk services, DevOps, and process automation. Prerequisite: ITM 735: Business Analysis and System Development | 3 Credits |
Select a capstone project, create a plan, define deliverables, secure approval and complete setup of their development environment. Review concepts necessary for completion of the capstone including Agile project management, systems analysis and communicating with technical and non-technical audiences. Additional topics may be included. Prerequisite: ITM 730: Agile and Traditional IT Project Management | 1 Credits |
Complete the projects approved in the Capstone Preparation course. This course includes the management, development and delivery of an information technology project to a client or employer, including regular communication of status to both technical and non-technical audiences. Prerequisites: ITM 735: Business Analysis and System Development and ITM 754: Capstone Preparation | 3 Credits |
Gain the IT Management Skills Employers Need
The University of Wisconsin online Master of Science in Information Technology Management prepares you to be an IT leader across industries through comprehensive and multidisciplinary coursework in business fundamentals, leadership, and technology. Upon completion of your master’s degree, you will possess the following skills and abilities:
Conduct Financial Analysis and Develop and Manage Technology Budgets
You 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
Lead and Manage Technology Functions, Projects, and Personnel
You will be able to:
- Plan and manage technology projects
- Develop organizational leadership skills
- Lead IT personnel to meet organizational needs
Demonstrate Effective Professional Collaboration and Soft Skills Appropriate for Technology Settings
You will be able to:
- Conduct crucial conversations
- Communicate with stakeholders across the organization
- Perform professional behavioral skills accounting for ethics, diversity and cultural sensitivity
Manage Security and Compliance, Accounting for Governance, and Ethical Implications
You 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
Investigate and Plan Innovative Solutions for Business Challenges
You 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
Engineer, Develop, and Deploy Strategies for Enterprise Systems
You will be able to:
- Develop appropriate data management technologies
- Create and implement enterprise solutions in support of organizational goals
- Plan and implement projects related to infrastructure, security, software development or data analysis
Graduate Tuition
Tuition for the online UW Master of Science in Information Technology Management is a flat fee of $850 per credit whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state.
There are no additional course or program fees; however, textbooks are purchased separately and are not included in tuition. As this is an online program, you will not pay segregated fees for student-organized activities, facility maintenance, and operations. Also, you will not be charged a technology fee as part of this program. If software or special technology is required in one of your courses, it will be provided to you as part of a virtual lab and is included in your tuition.
Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available to you and is awarded by your home campus. Contact your home campus financial aid office to see if you qualify for aid as a full or part-time student.
Visit our financial aid page to learn more about FAFSA and other sources of financial aid.
Veteran Benefits
Benefits are available to qualifying veterans and those currently serving. Contact your home campus veteran services office for details.
Experience UW Information Technology Management
Learn about the IT management industry, program faculty, read student stories, and more. Explore the blog.