Specializations
The MS in information technology degree program offers seven specializations, each covering subject areas relevant to today's career fields. Each specialization prepares students for one of several possible career paths, depending on the student's background and employer criteria.
Information Assurance
The information assurance specialization provides a thorough knowledge base for managers and technology professionals concerned with the design, development, implementation, operation, and management of secure information systems and with the protection of an organization's information assets. The specialization provides students with a practical understanding of the principles of data protection, network security, and computer forensics. The specialization also introduces students to the ethical, legal, and policy issues associated with information security. Laboratory exercises are included in some courses to enhance the learning experience.
Career Paths
- Chief security officer
- Network administrator
- Network professional
- Security administrator
- Security architect
- Security manager
- Security officer
- Security professional
- System administrator
- System professional
Homeland Security Management
The homeland security management specialization provides managers and practitioners with the background to prepare for and deal with a wide range of human-made and natural threats and vulnerabilities at the community and organizational level. The curriculum prepares students to perform security risk assessments and to develop strategies to mitigate threats to people, physical facilities, and information dependent critical infrastructure, as well as to plan for and manage operational recovery. Courses also explore the evolving roles within various first responder communities regarding pre-event planning and post-event response.
Career Paths
- Chief operation officer
- Facility or plant manager
- Facility security officer
- Military planner
- Federal, state, or local government emergency planner or policy maker
- Law enforcement, emergency, or medical practitioner or administrator
Project Management
The project management specialization provides a strong theoretical and practical foundation in project management. This specialization is designed to serve managers and other professionals who wish to acquire, enhance, and certify their knowledge and skills to successfully design, integrate, develop, and manage projects. Students gain hands-on experience using various project management tools and techniques to successfully manage real-world projects of varying sizes and degrees of complexity. Additionally, students apply emerging principles and methods in the project management field.
Career Paths
- Program manager
- Project/product manager
- Government contractor
Recognition/Professional Certification
The Graduate School of Management and Technology is a Project Management Institute-Registered Educational Provider, and each specialization course is recognized by the institute as being equivalent to 45 professional development units. Each course, therefore, satisfies the educational/training requirement for Project Management Professional certification, which must be pursued independently through the institute. Professional development units also apply to recertification.
Telecommunications Management
The telecommunications management specialization is designed to provide the technical knowledge and management skills needed to plan, acquire, operate, and evaluate telecommunication systems. This specialization emphasizes critical management concepts, such as the structure and environment of the telecommunications industry, strategic planning, financial management, and quality improvement.
Career Paths
- Telecommunication system development and deployment specialist
- Network security manager
- Network manager and designer for local and wide area, wired, and wireless systems
- Information systems development and deployment specialist
- Telecommunication system business manager
- Federal, state, or local government telecommunication manager or contractor
Database Systems Technology
Database technology is pervasive in our society and is considered a core component of most businesses. The database systems technology specialization focuses on the design, development, and management of database technology. The primary focus is on relational databases. The curriculum also covers distributed databases, data warehousing, data mining, database administration, and database security. Laboratory experiences are included in most courses.
Career Paths
- Technical leader
- Systems manager
- Database administrator
Informatics
The informatics specialization has a decidedly technical slant and is oriented toward the student seeking a generalist's view of IT. It offers a broadly based and strongly quantitative grounding in the various facets of information theory and best practices for developing a variety of systems and program products. Students receive an introduction to the major categories of IT endeavors, including networking, security, software development, databases, Web design, and IT acquisitions in order to be well prepared for the challenges of the workplace in the 21st century. The specialization also serves as a logical extension of coursework begun in programs offered at military institutions with which UMUC has partnership agreements.
Career Paths
- Programming and applications software developer
- Software tester
- Network designer
- Customer service trainer
- Hardware acquisitions manager
- Interface designer
- Document support specialist
- Software quality assurance specialist
- Web site developer
Software Engineering
The software engineering specialization provides a foundation in technical concepts and design techniques, as well as management and teamwork approaches, for building software systems. The emphasis of this specialization is on implementing software engineering projects within cost and schedule by applying proven and innovative practices.
Career Paths
- Leader of a software development team
- Head of a development department
- Chief technical officer
UMUC Europe Graduate Catalog
Last updated: 22 July 2011