Master's in Information Technology (IT) Degree
The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree from Grand Canyon University (GCU) integrates technology development with the business enterprise acumen required in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing workplace. In this master’s in IT program, you will be taught to blend business organization essentials with technical and interpersonal skills to become a technological problem-solver.
This master’s degree in IT from GCU prepares leaders to seek potential advancement in a variety of IT management and IT executive-level leadership positions within fast-growing industries and organizations. Whether you have a background in technology or business, this program will teach you how to address and blend business needs with IT solutions to work toward a common goal.
Online master’s in information technology graduates can position themselves with the technology operations intelligence and integration methodologies to help businesses solve problems. You will be taught how to source information, analyze and take risks, strategic planning skills, technological influences, finance solutions and project management with a global perspective on emerging technologies and practices.
Earn Your Master's in IT to Gain Advanced Technical Skills and Leadership Abilities
The IT MS program at GCU utilizes advanced project management tools, technical skills and best-practices that teach you to apply and maintain appropriate IT solutions that fulfill the organization’s goals. You can acquire practical knowledge the areas of information assurance and security, data management, networking technologies and mobile and web applications.
If developing risk-management and system security plans and procedures excites you, an online master’s in information technology may be right for you. Assessing ethical, legal, security and social aspects within organizations can enable businesses to achieve success.
Loading Form
By exploring the latest technology trends, you can align yourself with various roles within the technology field. The program offers the opportunity for you to use skills and advanced proficiencies through hands-on projects beyond technical knowledge.
Master's in IT Degree Program Course Topics
The Master of Science in Information Technology program teaches candidates to develop the necessary skills to make an impact as a technology leader. Courses cover topics including:
- Professionalism and leadership
- Ethical behavior in information technology
- Information systems management
- Systems development, implementation and maintenance
- Advanced cloud computing
- Effective management techniques
- Inspiring innovation in IT and data management
- Policy management
- Infrastructure design
- High-level cybersecurity methods
- Advanced system analysis and design
- Technical communication
Effective information technology leaders can have an impact on the future of the technology industry. Equip yourself to meet the complex needs of the industry and lead your team into the next generation.
Careers for Master’s in Information Technology Degree Graduates
GCU’s online master’s in information technology degree teaches the hard technology competencies required for complex IT work. Project-based courses offer the opportunity to get direct experience with these skills before graduating, preparing graduates to employ their abilities in the real world. These hands-on abilities partner with theoretical knowledge, potentially building a strong foundation upon which you can make an impact on the field of technology.
Employers who hire MSIT graduates may be seeking skilled information technology professionals who possess project management and problem-solving abilities that embrace change and keep the organization running smoothly.
Examples of information technology jobs include:
- Computer and information systems manager
- Computer system analyst
- Information security analyst
- Computer and information research scientist
- Computer network architect
- Database architect
- Software developer
- Software quality assurance analyst and tester
- Data scientist
MS in Information Technology Program FAQs
If you’re still deciding whether a master’s in IT degree is right for you, we’ve prepared a few frequently asked questions to help you make your decision.
GCU’s master’s in information technology degree teaches professionals to apply technology solutions to manage and support an organization. You will receive hands-on training and learn key competencies.
The master’s in IT degree requires a total of 34 credits for completion and most of the MSIT classes are eight weeks in length. Fill out the form on this page to speak to an admissions counselor to better understand how long it takes to earn your master’s in information technology degree.
GCU’s online master’s programs offer flexible and affordable options to help you balance the demands of work, family and education. Online programs work with your schedule by allowing you the flexibility to take classes and view lectures on your own time while still adhering to teacher deadlines. GCU understands that students who pursue a master’s program may lead busy lives, which is why our online master’s in information technology degree enables you to complete your coursework anywhere, at any time.
Students who earn an IT MS degree may pursue a variety of career options such as in the computer network architecture industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for computer network architects will continue to grow as firms continue to design and build new IT networks and upgrade existing ones.2 Additionally, 7,500 new jobs are estimated to open for computer network architects from 2021 to 2031.3
1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Computer Network Architect occupations as of May 2021, retrieved on April 3, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as computer network architect occupations. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook Computer Network Architects in December 2022
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Network Architects, retrieved on Feb. 22, 2023.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Engineering and Technology and the College of Natural Sciences. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
With a brief introduction to cybercrime and cybersecurity, this course will provide students with an overview of the various attacks and the countermeasures organizations can use to defend themselves. Exploring concepts such as defense-in-depth, layered security, vulnerability assessments, risk management, governance and compliance, and encryption; students will become familiar with prevention and protection theories, best practices, and strategies to securing corporate data (intellectual property). This course will conclude with an exploration of the various hacker psychologies and the differences between black-hat, grey-hat, and white-hat (Hackers with Halos) hackers. Prerequisite: UNV-504 or UNV-507 or enrollment in certificate program.
Course Description
This course introduces enterprise infrastructure design; including hardware, software, policies, and business processes. Emphasis is placed on integrating security solutions and theories in alignment with business objectives to achieve sustainability, reliability, and availability while deterring threats from cyber-attacks. This course also introduces students to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, providing a foundation to formulating a strategy for cybersecurity program design. Prerequisite: CYB-505.
Course Description
This course examines the tools and technologies used to secure an organization’s intellectual property. Students will consider encryption, hardware security, software vulnerabilities, remote access technologies, and layered security defense strategies in the development of secure architectures. A technology-focused course, students will provide effective solutions around firewalls, networking, server security, database and website protocols, and VPN configurations. Prerequisites: CYB-505 and CYB-515.
Course Description
This course introduces a policy perspective on security design. Students will consider cybersecurity frameworks, policies, cyber law, regulations, and standards in the configuration, development, and design of an enterprise policy infrastructure. In addition, students will examine the impact of policy implementation on enterprise systems and personnel management. Prerequisite: CYB-515.
Course Description
This course introduces key issues in managing information technology and data within contemporary organizations. Students examine the role of leveraging IT and data analytics to drive innovation and add value to organizations through addressing business and market needs. Challenges regarding technology adoption and best practices for utilizing data for organizational decision making are also addressed.
Course Description
This course examines the two meanings of Cloud computing: the first, running workloads remotely over the internet in a commercial provider’s data center, also known as the “public Cloud” mode; the second, a virtualized pool of resources, from raw compute power to application functionality, available on demand. Students will learn aspects of both while providing effective solutions for an on-premise to a Cloud model for a corporate infrastructure.
Course Description
This course provides students a solid understanding of important business functions like marketing, accounting, operations, and statistics, in addition to the key technologies used in business.
Course Description
This course examines the current shift towards more complex and turbulent environments and a digitized economy and how these challenges are a part of general practices in project, program, and portfolio management. Students will develop the ability to show how new opportunities can shape the economy, the business context, and people in the organizational IT project management context.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.