Information Technology Graduate Degree and Certificates
Graduate degree
The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program provides the ultimate qualification for IT and computing professionals. KU’s IT master’s degree and certificate programs deepen graduates’ understanding of IT and computing technologies to advance their careers and include advanced management knowledge and skill development.
Students pursuing an MSIT degree or graduate certificate at KU learn to:
- Develop technical knowledge and managerial skills in IT.
- Support versatile thinking and confident leadership in IT.
- Understand the big picture and make strategic IT decisions that address technical and business demands.
Students also have the option to pursue a graduate certificate in cybersecurity or software engineering and management.
Graduate certificates
The Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity is a 12-credit graduate-level certificate designed to provide advanced knowledge of:
- Information security concepts
- Governance
- Fundamental and emerging technologies in network security and computer systems security
- Proficiency in security policies, procedures, risk management, and audit
The purpose of this graduate certificate is to offer a practitioner-oriented credential in the information security area to students who are seeking an opportunity for more focused study.
The Software Engineering and Management certificate program is designed primarily for industry practitioners who are involved in software engineering and would like to enhance their formal education in software engineering and acquire the most modern development practices without completing a full master's degree.
The program is also for individuals who have a formal education in computing and would like to acquire software engineering education to apply for software engineering positions.
The two graduate certificates offered at the KU Edwards Campus allow full-time professionals to focus their skillset and use their specialized knowledge to grow and advance in specific fields.
Program format
- Graduate degree: Hybrid
- Graduate certificates: Hybrid
These information technology degrees and certificate programs are supported by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT).
Career Outlook
As information technology opportunities continue to expand, professionals are needed in nearly every business sector. Graduates may find careers as quality assurance analysts, testers, software data engineers, network engineers, management analysts, business system analysts, and system administrators. Positions with the fastest growth between 2021 and 2024 are listed below.
Potential Careers
Database architect
Software developer
Computer and information research scientist
Computer and information system manager
Information security analyst
Technology leader
IT career snapshot
Snapshot of overall growth and job availability in information technology*
IT career data
Top employers include the FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Elevance Health, Deloitte, Citigroup, and Amazon.
Top skills listed in job postings include management, communications, leadership, planning, and operations.
*Source: Lightcast. Data is not specific to KU programming or graduates. There is no guarantee of obtaining these roles or income.
Helpful Information
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