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 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.
The courses in the UW IT Management program are structured in three distinct, “stackable” graduate certificates: IT Leadership, Enterprise Infrastructure, and IT Operations. Designed with you in mind, the program certificates can be completed independently of each other, allowing you the flexibility to determine the path best suited to your career goals. There are no course prerequisites, so you can complete courses and certificates in any order you choose. As you complete each certificate, you’ll earn marketable credentials that will elevate you to the next level of your career. When you complete all three certificates, add a Capstone course and project to earn your master’s degree.
See Where the UW IT Management Program Can Take You
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Graduate Certificate – IT Leadership + Graduate Certificate – Enterprise Infrastructure + Graduate Certificate – IT operations
Complete all three of the above certificates plus the capstone project and earning a masters degree.
Who is This Degree Intended For?
Students in the online UW IT Management Master’s program have diverse backgrounds—from business analysts and project managers, to developers and systems engineers— yet they share a common interest: leadership. Our students 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 tech leadership roles such as IT director, IT project manager, 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 UW Extended Campus and 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.
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.
*For a limited time, UW Extended Campus is offering an application fee waiver to those who haven’t yet applied to the Spring, Summer or Fall 2024 semesters. To redeem, use coupon code APPLY24 on the UW Online Application payment page.
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.
UW Information Technology Management Master’s Curriculum Features Innovative Stackable Certificates
The UW IT Management Master’s program curriculum consists of nine courses divided into three individual graduate certificates, plus a capstone project course added to complete the master’s degree. You have the ultimate flexibility to choose which certificates you complete and when, tailoring the program to fit your work and life goals.
Students in the Master’s program are required to take nine courses, plus a capstone project course typically taken during the final semester. In the capstone course, students gain valuable, real-world experience through a fieldwork project. Projects may be at your current place of employment or with an external organization. Program faculty and academic advisers are a rich source of industry connections for projects. View examples of past capstone projects.
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.
IT Leadership Graduate Certificate
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course focuses on developing organizational communication skills for IT professionals. Topics include crucial conversations, evidence-based decision making, and change management strategies for organizational transformation. This course also emphasizes the development of organizational and interpersonal communication skills relating to cultural sensitivity, diversity, and ethical issues in the IT field. | 3 Credits |
This course focuses on the difference between and application of management and leadership theories in an IT environment. Utilizing an array of assessment activities, students will identify and | 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. | 3 Credits |
Enterprise Infrastructure Graduate Certificate
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Addresses issues for developing, managing and supporting data-driven decision-making in the organization. Topics include data analytics, data warehousing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, as well as the ethical collection, use and application of data. | 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. Examines the full range of services available to organizations along with deployment strategies, evaluation criteria, economic justification, and manageability. | 3 Credits |
The enterprise security management course explores various technical, administrative, and physical aspects of IT security. The course seeks to investigate various security threats and apply various concepts to the design of information, network and physical security. Students are exposed to the evaluation of business processes associated with managing risks, business continuity, audit, and security challenges in software development. | 3 Credits |
IT Operations Graduate Certificate
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Examines project management concepts as applied to IT projects; covers traditional PMBOK techniques such as project identification, selection, procurement, and cost/schedule preparation and monitoring. Introduces agile IT project management concepts including Scrum and Extreme Programming. Requires students to apply these concepts to group projects. | 3 Credits |
This course focuses on the importance, role, and techniques of the business analysis function in the modern IT organization. The course 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. | 3 Credits |
This course explores best practices and techniques for managing IT infrastructure and operational environments in support of the organization’s strategic goals in the development and deployment of applications and services. Coverage includes network infrastructure; servers and devices; computer operations; service management; facilities; help desk services; DevOps; process automation; governance frameworks. | 3 Credits |
Capstone Courses
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Students work with faculty to select their capstone project, create a plan, define deliverables, secure approval from their client or employer, and complete the setup of their project and work environment. Students review concepts necessary for completion of the capstone (as applicable) in the areas of human resources, financial analysis, enterprise application management, business analysis, operations, governance, compliance, and change management. Agile project management, systems analysis, and design, and communicating with technical and non-technical audiences. Additional topics may be included. Prerequisite:ITM 730: Agile and Traditional IT Project Management; or taken concurrently with ITM 730. | 1 Credits |
Students 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 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.
Fall 2023
Course Preview Week: August 29 - September 04, 2023
Semester Dates: September 05 - December 15, 2023
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course focuses on developing organizational communication skills for IT professionals. Topics include crucial conversations, evidence-based decision making, and change management strategies for organizational transformation. This course also emphasizes the development of organizational and interpersonal communication skills relating to cultural sensitivity, diversity, and ethical issues in the IT field. | 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. Examines the full range of services available to organizations along with deployment strategies, evaluation criteria, economic justification, and manageability. | 3 Credits |
This course focuses on the importance, role, and techniques of the business analysis function in the modern IT organization. The course 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. | 3 Credits |
This course explores best practices and techniques for managing IT infrastructure and operational environments in support of the organization’s strategic goals in the development and deployment of applications and services. Coverage includes network infrastructure; servers and devices; computer operations; service management; facilities; help desk services; DevOps; process automation; governance frameworks. | 3 Credits |
Students work with faculty to select their capstone project, create a plan, define deliverables, secure approval from their client or employer, and complete the setup of their project and work environment. Students review concepts necessary for completion of the capstone (as applicable) in the areas of human resources, financial analysis, enterprise application management, business analysis, operations, governance, compliance, and change management. Agile project management, systems analysis, and design, and communicating with technical and non-technical audiences. Additional topics may be included. Prerequisite:ITM 730: Agile and Traditional IT Project Management; or taken concurrently with ITM 730. | 1 Credits |
Students 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 754: Capstone Preparation | 3 Credits |
Spring 2024
Registration Opens: November 13, 2023
Course Preview Week: January 16 - January 22, 2024
Semester Dates: January 23 - May 03, 2024
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course focuses on the difference between and application of management and leadership theories in an IT environment. Utilizing an array of assessment activities, students will identify and | 3 Credits |
Addresses issues for developing, managing and supporting data-driven decision-making in the organization. Topics include data analytics, data warehousing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, as well as the ethical collection, use and application of data. | 3 Credits |
Examines project management concepts as applied to IT projects; covers traditional PMBOK techniques such as project identification, selection, procurement, and cost/schedule preparation and monitoring. Introduces agile IT project management concepts including Scrum and Extreme Programming. Requires students to apply these concepts to group projects. | 3 Credits |
Students work with faculty to select their capstone project, create a plan, define deliverables, secure approval from their client or employer, and complete the setup of their project and work environment. Students review concepts necessary for completion of the capstone (as applicable) in the areas of human resources, financial analysis, enterprise application management, business analysis, operations, governance, compliance, and change management. Agile project management, systems analysis, and design, and communicating with technical and non-technical audiences. Additional topics may be included. Prerequisite:ITM 730: Agile and Traditional IT Project Management; or taken concurrently with ITM 730. | 1 Credits |
Students 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 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.
