Information Technology
MS
Why study Information Technology?
Information Technology (IT) is the study of solutions and needs the connect people, information, and the technology of the time. It is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in higher education. IT professionals are needed in every industry. We live in a networked, digital world, and rely on always available, secure systems to live, work, and play. The field of IT is responsible for building, managing, and securing these global systems. UC's Master of Science in Information Technology graduate program provides the hands-on skills needed to quickly solve real-world problems. With our world increasingly becoming digital, we must work within mobile and social networks and secure all of the information transferred and stored every day. The Master’s in Information Technology (MSIT) program offers the coursework in Cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, mobile development, and human-computer interaction necessary for students to secure software applications, networks, and systems.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements are:
- A bachelor's degree from a college or university regarded as standard by a regional or general accrediting agency ***
- Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded from all universities attended
- For international applicants: Submission of a document-by-document transcript evaluation by a NACES member is strongly recommended in place of the unofficial transcript(s).
- At least a B average (3.0/4.0 scale) in undergraduate course work; if the cumulative GPA is below 3.0, a minimum GRE score of 300 is required
- 3.0+ Analytical; Verbal and Quantitative scores must be 150+ each
- Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
- Three academic or professional letters of reference
- References should be from credible sources who speak to relevant IT experience and/or work ethic; two or more reference letters should be on letterhead.
- A personal statement that should describe interest in the program and future professional goals in a way that demonstrates a strong record of accomplishments and aptitude for graduate studies.
- If the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, the personal statement must also address the low GPA and describe a plan to succeed in a program where a 3.0 GPA or above is required.
- If your background is not in IT, please be sure to address the following questions in your personal statement:
- How has your past experience prepared you to be successful in this program? For example, what types of courses (university or online), industry experience, or certificates have you completed to build skills in this area?
***If an applicant's prior degree is not in computing disciplines as in technology, engineering, and sciences, the applicant is required to demonstrate IT skills through work experience and relevant IT industry-related certificates. A holistic review will be conducted to determine if a student is prepared to be successful in the MS IT program. Applicants who do not have a computing background or relevant prior experience will be required to complete bridge coursework in one or more of the following areas: information security, database management, system administration, and/or programming.
Students who are admitted into the MSIT program are required to confirm admission by paying a $100 non-refundable confirmation deposit, which will be applied to the first-semester tuition bill. Completing the confirmation process verifies the intention of enrollment and activates the student's program.
The MS Information Technology program values work experience, hands-on learning, and scholarly research work. Students choose to complete a capstone or a thesis as part of their MSIT program requirements. With the capstone-based program, students have the opportunity to work with award-winning faculty to build an IT solution. With the thesis-based program, students can work with award-winning and attentive faculty to research and develop new ideas for the IT field.
An online master's program in Information Technology is also available.
- Information Security Analysts
- Computer Security Incident Responders
- Cybersecurity Network Administrators/Engineers/Architects
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Intrusion Detection Specialists
- Computer Forensics Investigator
- Tester for Security Weaknesses
- Vulnerability Assessor
- Secure code Auditor
- IT Manager
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
- Software Developer
- Software Engineer
- Web/Mobile Developer
- Product Owner
- Business Analyst
SoIT Graduate Office
CECH-Information Technology
Suite 250 Teachers Dyer Complex
Cincinnati OH 45219
To complete the program, the student must complete 30 graduate credit hours in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students who are conditionally admitted should also complete the bridge or prerequisite courses prior to taking the MSIT courses. Students need to maintain a GPA of 3.0 to stay and graduate from the MSIT program. Students will retake a course if he or she receives a grade below C. All required courses must be completed within a three-year period from the date of enrollment in the program.
Transferring or waiving credit hours from other UC or outside graduate programs is highly unlikely. But students may have the bridge or prerequisite courses waived with exceptional work experience in the IT fields. Please consult with the graduate director and coordinator for waiving courses and transferring graduate credits.
The following exams and minimum scores are accepted as proof of English proficiency:
- TOEFL: minimum score of 80 iBT
- IELTS: minimum score of 6.5 overall band
- Duolingo (DET): minimum score of 110
- PTE: minimum score of 54
Note: If you are an international student, please include your converted GPA using the WES iGPA Calculator in addition to your non-converted GPA and class (if applicable), as well as the country where you received your degree.
Application Deadlines
Fall Application Deadlines:
***Prospective domestic and international students are encouraged to apply before the priority deadlines in order to receive priority consideration for both admission and scholarship funding. Please note that the application for domestic and international applicants is subject to close if enrollment capacity has been met prior to the final deadline.
International applicants: March 3rd on or before 11:59 pm US Eastern Time
Domestic applicants: June 1st on or before 11:59 pm US Eastern Time
Priority Application Deadline #1: November 1st on or before 11:59 pm US Eastern Time
- Decisions will be released in early December on applications that are complete on or before November 1st. Completed applications are those wherein all materials such as test scores, recommendation letters, and unofficial transcripts have been received.
Priority Application Deadline #2: January 15th on or before 11:59 pm US Eastern Time
- Decisions will be released in mid-February on applications that are complete on or before January 15th. Completed applications are those wherein all materials such as test scores, recommendation letters, and unofficial transcripts have been received.
Final Decisions are expected in early April for International applicants who submit a complete application on or before March 3rd and mid-July for domestic applicants who submit a complete application on or before June 1st.
*** Please note that all application materials such as test scores, recommendation letters, and unofficial transcripts, must be received by the deadline for the application to be reviewed. Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected, and applicants will need to reapply for consideration in a future semester. Application fees are non-refundable if your application is not complete by the stated deadline.
Spring Application Deadlines:
***Prospective domestic and international students are encouraged to apply before the priority deadlines in order to receive priority consideration for both admission and scholarship funding. Please note that the application for domestic and international applicants is subject to close if enrollment capacity has been met prior to the final deadline.
International applicants: September 1st on or before 11:59 pm US Eastern Time
Domestic applicants: October 15th on or before 11:59 pm US Eastern Time
Priority Application Deadline #1: June 1st on or before 11:59 pm US Eastern Time
- Decisions will be released in early July on applications that are complete on or before June 1st. Completed applications are those wherein all materials such as test scores, recommendation letters, and unofficial transcripts have been received.
Priority Application Deadline #2: July 15th on or before 11:59 pm US Eastern Time
- Decisions will be released in mid-August on applications that are complete on or before July 15th. Completed applications are those wherein all materials such as test scores, recommendation letters, and unofficial transcripts have been received.
Final Decisions are expected in early October for International applicants who submit a complete application on or before September 1st and mid-November for domestic applicants who submit a complete application on or before October 15th.
***Please note that all application material such as test scores, recommendation letters, and unofficial transcripts must be received by the deadline for the application to be reviewed. Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected, and applicants will need to reapply for consideration in a future semester. Application fees are non-refundable if your application is not complete by the stated deadline.
Contact Information
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Program Code: 18MAS-IT-MS