Why study Information Technology?
The Master of Science in Information Technology (MS in IT) educates leaders who advance the science of information and digital transformation. The digital revolution is impacting all aspects of our lives, reshaping both personal and work lives everywhere. Students in the master’s program can advance their knowledge in areas such as cyber-infrastructure, networking, data analytics, artificial intelligence, user experience and interface design.
In this program, you will gain:
- specialized training in managing large-scale information systems and data to increase knowledge and/or solve problems.
- analyze client information technology needs and develop, integrate, and evaluate innovative solutions.
- expertise in key areas such as cyber-infrastructure, networking, data analytics, artificial intelligence, user experience and interface design.
- execute a research project addressing a specific IT area of interest (Research Track only.)
- ability to design and conduct a development project in a specific, information technology area of interest (Professional Track only).
Our Partnerships
The MS in IT program has agreements with leading cyber infrastructure technology companies, including Cisco Systems, VMware, Palo Alto Networks, Red Hat, Juniper Networks, and Barefoot Networks.
Program of Study
The average time to earn the MS in IT degree is 18 months for full-time students and 24 months for part-time students. Courses can be taken 100% online or in a traditional classroom environment.
There are two tracks:
Professional Track Program of Study (30 credit hours)
The MS in IT Professional Track is available 100% online and as a residential program.
Students who choose this track must take 12 hours of IT Core Courses, 15 hours in
IT Electives, a 3-hour ITEC 766, IT Project Management course, and pass a written comprehensive examination offered
at the end of Fall and Spring semesters.
Core subjects include:
- Principles of Informatics
- Analysis and Design of Information Systems and Technology
- Database Systems
- Enterprise Data Analytics
Research Track Program of Study (33 credit hours)
The MS in IT Research Track is a residential program not available 100% online. Students
who choose this track must take 12 hours of IT Core Courses listed above, 12 hours
in IT Elective courses, a 3-hour Research Methods course, and 6 hours of ITEC 799, Thesis Preparation. Students must successfully write and defend a thesis under faculty
guidance.
Visit Graduate Handbooks and Curricula for additional detail.
Graduate Admissions
All applications must be submitted to the Graduate School of the University of South Carolina. Admissions are competitive. An admissions scorecard will be used to evaluate applicants, weighing the applicant's undergraduate grade point average (GPA), reference letters, previous professional experience, and a career goal statement (note GRE or GMAT scores are not required). A successful applicant typically has:
- A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science or a closely related field with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale. An official transcript of undergraduate work is required. Pending completion of the degree, an official transcript of all coursework taken to date may be reviewed.
- Applicants without such a degree should have completed courses in software development, networking, databases, and web systems. Applicants not having courses in these subjects may be conditionally admitted, allowing completion of required prerequisite courses before full admission is granted.
- An applicant may provide a GRE or GMAT to enhance their candidacy. A minimum score of 300 on the new GRE exam: 150 verbal/150 quantitative (450 verbal/550 quantitative on the old exam), or a GMAT score of 500 or higher. Official GRE or GMAT scores must be submitted through the Graduate School.