Online Master's Degree in
Information Technology to Be Offered in August
16-week courses offer new alternative
for IT professionals
March 7, 2005 :: No. 140
Information technology professionals
who are interested in earning an advanced degree, yet don’t
have time to return to the classroom, can earn that degree
online from Cal State Fullerton beginning in August.
The master of science in information technology
will be the first online program offered through the university’s
College of Business and Economics and the third online degree
program available to Cal State Fullerton students.
“We developed this program after a number
of students — many already working for medium to large
organizations in this area — expressed an interest in
getting a master’s degree,” said Barry Pasternack,
chair and professor of information systems and decision sciences,
noting that ISDS has offered online courses since 1999. “The
program will prepare individuals for careers in the field
of information technology, as well as give professionals the
skills needed to advance in their careers. It focuses on the
managerial and technical skills needed to succeed in an information
technology organization.”
"By having class materials
and instructional resources available online, students
will have far greater options for scheduling learning
activities as compared to a traditional course setting."
|
The two-year program includes classes in systems
analysis and design, programming concepts, database management,
data communications and electronic commerce, as well as management
of information in the corporate environment, and financial
and managerial accounting. The final required course is a
seminar in information systems implementation in which students
work collaboratively to develop an information technology
solution.
Each course is 16 weeks long; students are
expected to enroll in two courses each session. Lectures and
supplemental materials will be available to students online,
and participants will have the opportunity to interact with
fellow students and their instructors through chat sessions
and e-mail.
“By having class materials and instructional
resources available online, students will have far greater
options for scheduling learning activities as compared to
a traditional course setting,” says program coordinator
James K. Hightower, emeritus professor of information systems
and decision sciences.
The program will kick off with a weekend orientation
session, “Boot Up Camp,” scheduled for Saturday,
Aug. 20, and another seminar at the midway point in the program.
Tests will be offered on campus or at an approved testing
center, Pasternack noted.
In addition to admission to Cal State Fullerton,
students are required to have at least two years of practical
experience and submit an essay explaining why they believe
they would be a good candidate for the program, noted Hightower.
“We’re looking for students who are disciplined
enough to successfully complete a course in a distance-learning
format.”
Applications for admission to the university
and the new degree program are now being accepted. To learn
more about the program, go to http://www.business.fullerton.edu/isds/msit.
Cal State Fullerton’s other online master
degree programs are in instructional design and technology
offered through the College of Education and software engineering
through the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
| Media Contacts: |
James Hightower at 657-278-4191 or
jhightower@fullerton.edu
Barry Pasternack at 657-278-2221 or
bpasternack@fullerton.edu
Pamela McLaren of Public Affairs
at 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu |
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