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Graduate Catalog | 2018-2019 Previous Edition

Information Technology, M.S.

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The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program is designed to equip students with advanced skills and knowledge in the planning, design, implementation, testing and evaluation, deployment, maintenance, and management of applications and systems, that embody information and communication technologies for their proper functioning. These skills form necessary foundations for solving practical problems that arise in business, industrial, governmental, and other organizations, as well as for pursuing doctoral studies in information technologies.

The current areas of concentration include: Advanced Data and Knowledge Discovery, Emerging Technologies, Human-Centered Design, Information Security and Privacy, Information Technology Management, Software Systems Design and Engineering, and Web Development.

Students entering the MSIT program are required to have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and have acquired substantial experience in studying, applying, or developing information and computing technology. Such experience may be developed by completing an undergraduate major in a discipline related to information technology, including but not limited to, business information systems, computer engineering, computer science, data communication, information management, information technology, mathematical and physical sciences, and software engineering. For applicants who have an undergraduate major not directly related to computing, the experience may be acquired through work, professional training, or further education such as post baccalaureate studies.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements specific to the MSIT program include:

  1. Applicants must have completed undergraduate or equivalent coursework in (a) data structures and (b) object-oriented programming in C++, C#, or Java, both with a minimum GPAs of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants who have substantial work experience in applying or developing computing and information technology may be able to substitute their work experience for the specific requirements for object-oriented programming and/or data structures, subject to review by the MSIT Program Coordinator.
  2. All applicants must have an undergraduate GPA or equivalent of at least 3.0 on a scale of 1.0 to 4.0, and a Junior/Senior GPA of at least 3.0.
  3. Applicants are required to demonstrate a satisfactory score on the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). UNC Charlotte students with a GPA of 3.0 or above who have completed or are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree or graduate certificate program may request a waiver of the GRE or GMAT exams, subject to approval of the Graduate Program Director.

GRE/GMAT Waiver

The GRE/GMAT requirement will be waived for applicants who: (1) Have a cumulative undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.0 and above from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States; (2) Are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at UNC Charlotte, and have completed at least 3 courses successfully with a minimum GPA of 3.2; or (3) Have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in information technology or related fields in the United States.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Information Technology degree requires a total of 30 graduate credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0, together with a capstone or culminating experience.  Additionally, the following requirements must be met:

  • No more than 12 credit hours of coursework may be taken from outside of the courses offered by the Department of Software and Information Systems
  • At least 15 credit hours must be taken from 6000 level or above courses
  • No more than 3 credit hours may be taken for Individual Study
  • A maximum of 6 graduate credit hours may be transferred from other institutions

The 30 credit hours of coursework comprise the following three parts:

Core Courses (15 credit hours)

Advanced Programming Courses

Select one of the following:

Software Systems Courses

Select one of the following:

Databases and Data Science Courses

Select one of the following:

Principles Courses

Concentration Courses (9 credit hours)

The MSIT program offers the following concentrations:

  1. Advanced Data and Knowledge Discovery
  2. Emerging Technologies
  3. Human-Centered Design
  4. Information Security and Privacy
  5. Information Technology Management
  6. Software Systems Design and Engineering
  7. Web Development

Each student is required to select one concentration and complete 3 courses selected from the list of approved courses for the specific concentration.  Among the 9 credit hours for a concentration, 6 may be substituted with a master’s research thesis.  The topic for the research thesis must fall within the area of concentration.  A core course cannot be double-counted toward a concentration.  Subject to the approval of the MSIT Program Director, a course from outside of the approved list for a concentration may be taken as a substitute for a course for the concentration.

Advanced Data and Knowledge Discovery Concentration

Select three of the following:

Emerging Technologies Concentration

Select three courses from the aggregated list of courses for all the other concentrations. Students are recommended to select each course from a different concentration to maximize their exposure to the broadest range of latest knowledge in computing and information technology.

Human-Centered Design Concentration

Select three of the following:

Information Security and Privacy Concentration

Select three of the following:

Information Technology Management Concentration

Elective Courses

Select 1-2 of the following, to result in 3 courses for this concentration:

Software Systems Design and Engineering Concentration

Elective Courses

Select 2-3 of the following, to result in 3 courses for this concentration:

Web Development Concentration

Select three of the following:

Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

Students fulfill the remaining requirements for coursework by completing two approved elective courses from the College of Computing and Informatics.

Part of the elective requirements may also be met by taking the following internship:

Culminating Experience (0-6 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete a culminating experience.  This requirement is satisfied by completing any one of the following three:

Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours

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