2024-2025 Graduate Catalog Information Technology
202 Old Union Hall
Campus Box 5150
(309) 438-8338
School Director: Traci Carte
Programs Offered
M.S. in Computer Science, M.S. in Information Systems with sequences in: Geographic Information Systems, Internet Application Development, Network and Security Management, and Systems Development. Graduate certificates are offered in: Data Science: Computer Science, Information Assurance and Security, Internet Application Development, Network and Telecommunications Management, and Systems Analyst.
All master's degree programs require a minimum of 50 percent of the non-thesis credit hours applied to the degree to be 400-level courses or above.Ìý
Course Finder
Graduate Certificates
The School of Information Technology offers several graduate certificate programs. The certificates are designed for individuals who would like to gain specialized knowledge in one of the areas of the certificates without the commitment of completing an entire degree program. The certificate programs provide students with focused studies and exposure to the very latest topics and trends in the IT industry and various opportunities for career advancement. Courses completed as part of the certificates may also be counted towards the requirements of the Master of Science in Computer Science or Information Systems with official admission to the corresponding graduate program. Students must apply for the certificate before beginning coursework.
Information Technology Courses
Beginning with the 2016-2018 Graduate Catalog, IT 300-level Information Technology courses are no longer designated with .05 after the number. Only 300-level courses approved for graduate credit may be counted toward a graduate program.
Computer Science Program
Degree Offered: M.S.
The Master of Science in Computer Science major is designed to give students the knowledge and tools necessary for studying important current issues in computer science to obtain productive employment or pursue advanced degrees. It emphasizes foundational knowledge in computer science and programmatic application of these fundamental concepts in leading edge applications. It is appropriate for a range of students, including industry computing professionals seeking career advancement, students wishing to expand on their undergraduate computer science work and/or prepare for doctoral degree, and individuals wishing to make a career change.
This degree requires the student to complete a 33- semester-hour thesis, project, or course option. It assumes an undergraduate knowledge base in computer science, which students with some types of computer-related undergraduate degrees will typically have acquired. Students lacking sufficient background will need to complete fundamental courses before enrolling in the MS Computer Science degree courses.
Students lacking sufficient background should expect to complete some or all of the following courses with a grade of B or better:Ìý
- : Structured Problem Solving Using the ComputerÌý
- : Introduction to Data Structures
- : C++ Programming
- : Computer OrganizationÌý
- : Algorithms and Data StructuresÌý
- : Principles of Operating SystemsÌý
- : Database Processing
The graduate coordinator will determine specific requirements.
Option I — Thesis
This 33-hour option requires:Ìý
- 18-hour core: , , , , , Ìý
- 6 hours: Master's ThesisÌý
- 9 hours from: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Option II — Project
This 33-hour option requires:Ìý
- 18-hour core: , , , , ,
- 6 hours: Master's ProjectÌý
- 9 hours from: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Option III — Courses
This 33-hour option requires:Ìý
- 18-hour core: , , , , , Ìý
- 15 hours from: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Information Systems Program
Degree Offered: M.S.
MS in Information Systems offers four different sequences: Geographic Information Systems, Internet Application Developme, Network and Security Management, and Systems Development Sequence. Within the Geographic Information Systems sequence, the student may choose to complete a 35-semester hour thesis option (Option I), a 35-semester hour project option (Option II), or a 35 semester-hour course option (Option III). Within the other three sequences, the student may choose to complete a 33-semester hour thesis option (Option I), a 33-semester hour project option (Option II), or a 33-semester-hour course option (Option III). This degree assumes an undergraduate knowledge base in information technology, which students with computer-related undergraduate degrees typically have acquired. Students lacking sufficient background will need to complete fundamental courses before enrolling in the Information Systems core courses.
Students lacking sufficient background should expect to complete some or all of the following courses with a grade of B or better: Fundamentals of Information Assurance and Security, Hardware and Software Concepts,Ìý Java as a Second Language OR Structured Problem Solving Using the Computer AND Computer Applications Programming, Data Communications, Database Processing. The graduate coordinator will determine specific requirements.
The MS in Information Systems has a 15-hour core requirement for options II and III: or , or , , , , . For option 1 it has an 18 hour core requirement: or , or , , , , , and .
- If the thesis option is selected, , must be taken during the first year in the program.
Geographic Information Systems Sequence
Option I — Thesis
This 35-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 18-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: Ìý
- 8 hours: , Ìý
- 3 hours: 1 from the following: , , ,
Option II — Project
This 35-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 15-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: Ìý
- 8 hours: ,
- 6 hours: 2 of the following: , ; , , , ,
Option III — Courses
This 35-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 15-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 8 hours: ,
- 3 hours: Ìý
- 9 hours: 3 of the following: , ; , , , ,
Internet Application Development Sequence
Option I — Thesis
This 33-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 18-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: Master's ThesisÌý
- 9 hours: , , ,Ìý,Ìý
Option II — Project
This 33-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 15-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: Master's Project
- 9 hours: , , Ìý
- 3 hours: 1 of the following: , , , ,Ìý,Ìý
Option III — Courses
This 33-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 15-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 9 hours: , , Ìý
- 3 hours: , CapstoneÌý
- 6 hours: 2 of the following: , , , ,Ìý,Ìý
Network and Security Management Sequence
Option I — Thesis
This 33-hour sequence requires:
- 18-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: Master's ThesisÌý
- 6 hours: , Ìý
- 3 hours: 1 of the following: , , , , , , ,Ìý,Ìý
Option II — Project
This 33-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 15-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: Master's ProjectÌý
- 6 hours: , Ìý
- 6 hours: 2 of the following: , , , , , , ,Ìý, ,
Option III — Courses
This 33-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 15-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: , Ìý
- 3 hours: , CapstoneÌý
- 9 hours: 3 of the following: , , , , , , ,Ìý, ,
Systems Development Sequence
Option I — Thesis
This 33-hour sequence requires:
- 18-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: Master's ThesisÌý
- 6 hours: , Ìý
- 3 hours: 1 of the following: , , , ,
Option II — Project
This 33-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 15-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: Master's Project
- 6 hours: , Ìý
- 6 hours: 2 of the following: , , ,Ìý,
Option III — Courses
This 33-hour sequence requires:Ìý
- 15-hour core: , , , plus on of the following: ,Ìý
- 6 hours: ,
- 3 hours: , CapstoneÌý
- 9 hours: 3 of the following: , , ,Ìý, ,
Data Science: Computer Science Graduate Certificate
The Data Science: Computer Science Graduate Certificate is designed to provide a specialized education in emerging technologies for students who seek further studies in data science. The certificate is intended to prepare students to meet the growing demand for qualifications in this field.
Three out of the four core courses, namely , , , and , are required to earn the certificate. Prerequisites: and or consent of the graduate advisor.
Information Assurance and Security Graduate Certificate
The Information Assurance and Security Graduate Certificate is designed for IT professionals who are interested in continuing education in methodologies and tools necessary for protecting information and information systems. The certificate provides an in depth study of protecting the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of information using technology, people, and policy.
Three core courses, , and are required to earn the certificate. Prerequisites: , and or consent of the graduate advisor
Internet Application Development Graduate Certificate
The Internet Application Development Graduate Certificate is designed to provide a specialized education in emerging technologies for students who seek further studies in Web development. The certificate is intended to prepare students to meet the growing demand for qualifications in this field.
Two core courses, , , and one of , , , or , are required to earn the certificate. Prerequisites: and or consent of the graduate advisor
Network and Telecommunications Management Graduate Certificate
The Network and Telecommunications Management Graduate Certificate is designed for IT professionals who are interested in pursuing further professional development in the Telecommunications and Networking area. This certificate program prepares students to better understand different network and telecommunications technologies and management methodologies.
Two core courses, and and one of or are required to earn the certificate. Prerequisite: or consent of the graduate advisor.
Systems Analyst Graduate Certificate
The Systems Analyst Graduate Certificate is designed for IT professionals who are interested in pursuing further professional development in the Systems Analyst area. This certificate program prepares students to better understand different information systems development methodologies and develop the skills to manage information systems projects.
Three courses, , , and , are required to earn the certificate. Prerequisites: and or consent of the graduate advisor.